Wigtwizzle - Norman Smith's Travel Blog.: golden leaves

I usually miss the autumn colours in Middleton Woods but this year I appear to have been a bit luckier. Maybe they would have been better a couple of weeks ago, its hard to tell. Its difficult getting any really good photos in these woods because they are so congested, I don't think there has ever been any wood management so the place gets too overgrown. Plus, muddy ground underfoot and inadequate footwear also limited me to where I could go so I just stuck to the main paths.

I more or less had the woods to myself though, maybe the people of Ilkley were still in shock after England's World Cup Final defeat because as I drove back in to Ilkley, I saw lots of sad faces coming out of the local Rugby Club and the town's pubs.

My next visit to the woods will be in bluebell time next spring when, once again, I will bore the pants of of everyone with bluebell photos! See you then Middleton Woods.

Autumn Colours, Midddleton Woods

I had been invited out for a Sunday lunch so time was at a bit of a premium. I couldn't decide whether to go to Derwentwater or Ullswater (nothing new there) and plumped for Ullswater as it was the closest and looked to be just a tad brighter. I made a quick stop off at Mossdale Bay and took a few shots but was eventually beaten by the weather so I carried on to Glenridding.

I had almost given up hope of getting out of the car never mind having a walk but that bit of brightness eventually arrived so I bit the bullet and got kitted out, before making my way out of Glenridding on the partially newly manufactured path to Aira Force.

The path as far as Glencoyne Bay has always been there and this was the section I walked. It more or less followed the shoreline all the way and gave some stunning views up the lake.

The sun came out more of less as soon as I left the village so most of the shots were taken in the first mile and, as it was mainly in wooded areas, I found myself walking on a carpet of vibrant golden leaves for most part. However the sun didn't last for long but, just before it finally disappeared for the day, I caught a glimpse of a fabulous rainbow farther up the lake. Luck was on my side and I was quite close to a large opening up of the view and this enabled me to get some pretty good shots of it.

Pleased with my endeavours, I turned round and briskly retraced my steps back into Glenridding, not caring about the fact I was now getting a good drenching. Time had been getting a bit tight and I had a date with a plate of roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes awaiting me. What better way to spend a Sunday!