It's still unseasonably cold, but we're trending back to normal temperatures. Yesterday we took what will be the last of our usual ravine circuits until the advent of the winter Equinox. Most of the bridges that enable us to swing from one trail to another over the creek that runs through the ravine have now been taken out, with the exception of the main bridge. And that is scheduled to be removed along with others, likely this very day. Which will mean we'll be looking for alternative, often awkward replacements for our ravine circuit where our hikes will be anything but the usual; truncated and non-continuous.

On yesterday's circuit we noted that more trees than we had realized had come down during last Friday's severe weather. Most of the fallen trees necessitate being bypassed and a bit of special agility helps there until such time as they're removed and passage opens up once again. Managing a large woodland area like this is a constant, ongoing affair.

When we returned home, the garden seemed to glow with an intensified colouration left over from the all-day rain of Saturday. In another few weeks to a month we'll have to tend to clearing out all the annuals, cutting back the perennials and preparing the garden for its long winter sleep.

In the same token, preparing the garden for spring, all the bulbs and corms we've recently acquired will also have to be planted.

Last evening, one of our neighbours who lives on the street behind us paid his usual annual visit. He's with the military, working on contract now, not prepared to retire and loving his work there. He's athletic and in truly fine physical shape, an award winner year after year as the top runner in his class He competes in the annual Terry Fox runs to raise funds for cancer research. And in that vein, he was raising funds for the Canada Army Run, a 5K, 1/2 Marathon taking place on September 21 in the Capital.

He is a veteran but was also in Afghanistan. His two sons, 35 and 40 are also in the military. Both were in Afghanistan, one posted no fewer than four times. His is a hugely worthwhile endeavour to focus attention on a number of contentious issues. He is a stalwart, intelligent and enduring individual with a broad grasp of issues and a commitment to making his country, its missions and the world a more secure place.