Saturday 21st September 2024 - Autumn Equinox, Over Sixty Years, A Bargain, Blackberry Picking and Brass on the Cliff Top

The 21st September is usually associated with the autumn equinox however, according to the Greenwich website, this year it’s on the 22nd, marking the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.  So, in effect, we have two start dates for autumn the meteorological (1st September) and now the equinox.  The 21st September is also the International Day of Peace (no comment here from me!) and International Eat an Apple Day.  No doubt there are other significant reasons to celebrate or remember this particular day.

Delighted to meet up again, on Wednesday, with a friend and her husband who were visiting their daughter in Norfolk and came along to see us too.  First meeting as children, we’ve been friends for over sixty years and were bridesmaids (although technically I was Matron of Honour) at each-others weddings.  Although, over the years we have not always lived close, we have maintained contact and now exchange news via emails, but of course, these is no substitute for us all meeting up, face to face.  The Sea Marge proved to be the perfect place to sit quietly, have lunch and a catch-up.

Thursday saw the last car boot sale of 2024.  There was a very good turnout of sellers and having broken one of my vases the day before, I was on the lookout for a replacement.  I wasn’t disappointed, finding one for just £1; an absolute bargain. 

Today, the weather has been glorious.  Our day started, as usual, with a walk.  Judging from the glow in the sky, I guessed there would be a good sunrise.  I took my camera with me and wasn’t disappointed.  A huge red ball hovered over the sea, attracting others to come and observe.  Further on we saw a muntjac deer munching the foliage from a hedge.  For a while, it was totally oblivious of our presence, enabling me to zoom in my camera lens and take several photographs, one of which I’ve included below (a little hazy because of zooming in from a distance).  Eventually we started walking and seeing us approaching, it ambled off towards some shrubs growing on the cliff top. 

Such a beautiful day, we couldn’t resist having a BBQ at lunchtime after which, we went off in search of blackberries.  Based on what we have seen in the hedgerows, I didn’t hold out much hope of finding any worth picking. However, between us we managed to pick a container full.  I will shortly be tray freezing these to use in pies and crumbles.  Despite the shortage of insects this year, there were masses of bees and good numbers of red admiral butterflies in the hedgerows, all making the most of the late flowering ivy.  Heading back through the village we heard music coming from the car park.  In front of the benches, on the cliff top, a group of four were playing a selection of music on their brass instruments.  Another photo opportunity, I took photographs (one included below) making a donation, as thanks, to their collection and noting they are called The Flying Scots.