As per usual there hasn’t been any specific reason for this except for the normal reasons most home owners have such as those last minute fixes that you’ve put off but desperately need doing before winter sets in and it’s too late.

Well, we’ve done all we can, or at least all we want too, so hopefully we’ll be able to use the weekends for more constructive (yeah right) things such as wondering around the Lake District or catching Cod.

I’ve noticed a distinct chill in the air this past week and going by the colour of the trees I’d say Autumn has arrived here in Lancashire which was also evident as I walked round Mere Sands wood this afternoon where a wide variety of fungi have suddenly appeared.

We’ll be visiting Anglesey again soon so I hope the weather stay good and we can repeat our previous years September successes but if not who cares? Anglesey is a great place and just to get away is all we really need.

Mere Sands

I was determined to get out for a walk on Sunday even though the weather was a bit overcast so I paid a long over due visit to one of our local nature reserves, Mere Sands Wood, which is managed by the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside.

This reserve has always been a favourite of mine, not only because it’s almost on our doorstep, but due the the huge variety of flora and fauna that can be seen without the use of any special equipment.

As I was in no hurry I meandered up and down all the paths and went into all the bird hides to see if any of the winter visitors had arrived yet.

The Great crested grebes were still looking after some chicks that looked large enough to fend for themselves and all the usual water birds were present but no signs of the winter species yet.

Still Waters

Apparently a few rarities had been spotted earlier in the week but I’m not dedicated enough to sit staring through a pair of binoculars for hours on end for that one elusive glimpse.

I’d rather wander around and just enjoy the peace and quiet.

Mere Sands Fungi

Autumn is one of the prime time for mushroom and other fungi spotting and there were so many it was difficult to work out which ones to photograph, let alone identify them. I have no idea what these are but they were a beautiful orange colour and they were everywhere.

As a quick note, never eat any mushroom or other fungi that you have collected unless you are absolutely sure you know what it is, some of our native fungi are poisonous and not all of them are brightly coloured to warn you away.

So another wonderful place re-visited, there are a couple of other local nature reserves that I’ve been meaning to have another look at and after walking around Mere Sands I’ve been re-enthused (if there is such a word) about our immediate area.

As I started making my way back to the car I looked out across the countryside to see the clouds looming. I made a bit of a dash to beat the rain but it never fell – typical Lancashire weather, always doing the opposite of what you’d expect.

Mere Sands - Storm Approaching