Well, it must be late autumn because the leaves on the Virginia Creeper have turned fiery red and mostly fallen. Then again the sky is blue, it's mild, sunny and dry; more like the tail end of summer. The landscape is usually sopping wet at this point in the season even on a day without rain. But I'm seeing minimal dew and zero condensation. Today would be a good day to put your washing on the line.

 It has been said we will need seven months above average rainfall to replenish rivers, reservoirs and aquifers. If we have a dry winter after the drought and then another drought it will be (to quote an old folk song) "Hard times in old England, in England very hard times".

 I'm not complaining about a beautiful day to be out in the garden but I am a little uneasy...

Postscript It must be late autumn because it was pitch dark by six o'clock!