Walking

It's been such a mild autumn - lovely (but not really how things should be). We went for a walk in the Botanics to enjoy the colours. 

It was a bit late, really - there were a lot of leaves on the ground. 

But still, it was beautiful. I always feel better among plants. We're lucky having the Botanics a short drive away - though on this occasion we took the bus. 

Here's my favourite tree, the bald cypress. 

Look at its wonderful, ferny leaves, just turning red.

Actually, going on Saturday was possibly a mistake. We live quite near the rugby grounds, and there was an international match on. We took the bus to avoid struggling through the traffic on the way home, but the bus was crowded with chaps in kilts going to the match. Ah well. 

On Monday we visited our friends in the west of Scotland. It was a wonderfully still, sunny day. 

We walked past Barr Castle, built in the 15th century, now a ruin. We have a lot of castles. 

So lovely, walking with old friends. B and I have known one another since we went to school at age 5 and her husband for 55 years or so. 

Right, must get on. I'm writing this while listening to Bach's cantata number 150, which is joyous and which I'm supposed to know for choir tonight. I more or less know it but there are a few tricky bits (uppy downy in unexpected ways. Bach was quite a chap). And I have other things to do (far too many, but on the other hand, one can rest in the grave. Not yet, though, I hope.)