It's a cracking morning here in the valley.  Just a high, light covering of cloud with plenty of diffuse sun and a very light breeze.  The river is still a bit on the low side but conditions are not bad for the final trouting days of the season.

The first fallen leaves are now on the pastures round the house and it really feels like autumn has begun especially as the sloe gin got made yesterday and put down for Christmas.

I can't remember seeing for many years such a crop of berries and fruit on the trees as we have now.  A walk up the river is brightened on even the dullest day by the burning bushes that are the rowans and may trees.  They seem almost overburdened with berries and hawes.  The same is true of my damson tree, enough this year for several bottles of wine.

I'm not sure what the reason is for this super abundance.  Maybe it was the hot, dry summer following the very wet spring and wet back end.  Whatever the reason the dales really do look a picture now and any one contemplating a salmon fishing trip next week should bring a camera.  When the salmon aren't there there will always be plenty to photograph.

I was sorely tempted this week by a property advert for a croft in the far north west of Skye.  6 acres, a trout stream, two building plots, 35 goats, grazing rights on 1000 acres of the Glendale estate, a three bedroomed Victorian house and views to kill for, all for £300k.  Very, very tempting!

Ah well, back to the real world.

Ian