Autumn in the Gardens of Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

November the 5th, a date always associated in England with  Guy Fawkes and the failed Gunpowder Plot.

It is also know as Bonfire Night.  Let me say that although Fireworks have long been associated with the day, I have always rather associated it, from boyhood,  with the act of having a garden bonfire….  an autumnal clear out

Bonfires are now rather infradig, composting is far better for autumnal leaves and prunings.  November 5th still tiggers that moment in time, when my mind says….autumn is over.  OK., don’t shout, I know we have a few more days of autumns colours to enjoy before the darker winter days.  But symbolically, that’s autumn gone for this year.

As for Chatsworth in the autumn….  its a rather good place to enjoy the autumns colours in their fine mature woodlands.  But not this year for us.  True the House* and Gardens are still open, but visitor numbers limited and you have to pre-book.  Pre-booked, I just find that a turnoff, I prefer to seize the moment.  May be next autumn…. if life is more back to normal  🙂

* Lockdown has now been reintroduced to England.  So the House is not open for this period….   but the gardens remain open

Please Remember ….

Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

5th November

(C) David Oakes 2020