It's Autumn - - Official!

"Here we have Autumn Mist," I wrote in an email this morning. "Soon it'll be the spiders' webs."

Then I looked out of the window.

They're everywhere, all over the trees and bushes:

Here's a closer look at the traditional and beautiful Orb Web:

and if you would like to make one, click here for full instructions!

Here's different kind of web, on the bushes by our garage:

And finally, here she is, the spinner of the orb web, waiting for a fly to come along and twang one of the strands:

So, folks, it's officially Autumn in England: season of mists and mellow fruitfulness as old John Keats put it.

I think we're all still waiting for summer, for golden bucket-and-spade seaside days, for the feel of the sun on our skin.

Maybe next year.