While I was working at Snowshill last week and just about
finished for the day, the village fell totally silent. Usually there is some
background noise, some of which can carry a significant distance, such as dogs
barking, farm machinery, or typically building/renovating work on the
‘chocolate box’ cottages that typify the environment. But, there was nothing –
just a few birds, flying around looking for somewhere to bed down for the
night.
I took some pictures and looking at them I’m struck by how,
with this time of year nature is becoming quieter, settling down and waiting to
rest over winter. Snowshill Manor itself, no longer open to the public sits
resolutely, to face the next few cold months. The cottages opposite providing a
bolt hole for people wishing to ‘escape’ to the country – to briefly sample a
simpler life style.
The cottage gardens are now slowing down, as I pay my
regular weekly visits to clear the autumn detritus preparing the borders to
over winter. My time at these cottages is drawing to a close and early next
month I shall leave the gardens to the winter weather and all that this might
bring to bear.
