Last week I was pleased to be invited as far afield as Abingdon to give a talk. Travelling so far from home, it provided the ideal opportunity to explore the Oxford area a little. But the weather had other ideas: plans to visit the Botanic Garden had to be abandoned because of overnight snow and heavy sleet that made the journey down there last most of the day.

However, the following morning it was a different prospect, with sunshine and very light winds. Yes, it was very cold but ideal conditions in which to explore the University of Oxford’s Harcourt Arboretum. Just me and the trees, barely a breath of wind, and no sound save for the traffic on the road and the flutter of falling leaves, the gentle crack of abscission followed by a sigh as leaf meets earth once more.

The previous day’s snow cover had all but gone, but penetrating frost left its mark right up to midday:

Walking slowly around the Arboretum was a joy, the autumnal colours shifting from green to gold to red with every vista:

Every species of tree was trying to rise to the challenge of painting the season:

The innerscapes of hanging leaves adorned with the transient interplay of pigment, sunlight and shadow made progress around the garden slow…

… while the groundscapes of fallen leaves added their unique autumnal dimension to the picture.

Add to all of that the extra colour and structure from bark and lichens, seeds and berries ….

… as the temperature rose above freezing in the sun, the frost sublimating to mist in wisps was wreathed in the fragrant billows from the charcoal burner: it really was a feast for all the senses!

And that just leaves the wildlife. Yes, free-range Peacocks are always good fun, especially when pecking around under trees from their natural home. The trees had seeping Redwings, lots of skittish Blackbirds and Song Thrushes, as well as noisy Nuthatches and woodpeckers.  More than enough nature to build up the strength of purpose to do battle with the M25…!