Just as well we're weather-resilient. A mere few days ago we were sweltering in a heat wave reminiscent of July, not October. It was prolonged, and for the most part appreciated, if puzzling. We enjoyed the warmth even while wondering how long it would be before rain fell on our extremely dry environment. Sleeping at night wasn't entirely comfortable, even with bedroom windows flung wide to catch any errant breezes. 

 

 

My, how that changed, and so quickly. Now, we're seriously into  October-November weather. The heat is gone, and with it went the sun and out came the rain and wind. It's been raining steadily and solidly for days. The sky has been heavily ridged with low, darkly-streaked clouds. The cold has been given a bitter tinge by the wind that has accompanied it.

 

Wind strong enough to begin raking the leaves down from their perch on the forest canopy. A canopy that has turned remarkably quickly to shades of brilliant orange, red, yellow and pale pinks, although there still remains ample swaths of bright green. In some areas of the forest there are more colourful leaves on the forest floor than there are above, still sticking to the trees.

 

We weren't able to get out at all yesterday, and nor were we able to access the forest two days before that. When we have gone out, it's been on those occasions when the rain relented sufficiently to come down lightly for short episodes when we'd make a dash for the ravine. No dash yesterday, there was no opportunity because the rain continued heavily without a break.

 

And then the rain that kept dropping all morning today, abruptly stopped in early afternoon, and out we went, to shuffle through the gathering mass of fallen foliage on the trails, wet and colourful.  We all wore warm rainjackets against the potential of the skies opening up again while we were out. But luck was with us, and although the overcast continued dark and menacing the clouds kept their depleted rain-baggage to themselves temporarily.

 

Even in the dusky interior of the forest the rain-pounded forest had an odd bright quality in its growing colour scheme. The forest creek was full from days of rainfall and rushed noisily downstream as we crossed the bridges enabling us to continue our tramp. Crows were busy and continually cawing in a chorus of messaging beyond us. It now seems so long ago that no walk through the forest was complete without Jackie and Jillie eating their fill of ripe, juicy berries.