It may be mid-October, but, as is fast becoming tradition, my single sunflower of the year has finally bloomed 💛😂🌻 #OctoberSunflower

A much-needed slow day of soft sunshine, excellent bird-spotting (did somebody say grey phalarope?!), and the singular joy of a new @peteralanross.bsky.social to read. Early-autumn at its finest.

A surprise rose! The final one of the year? 💛🤍

They're back! They're back!
The swifts are back!!!

Today I saw two brilliant exhibitions in beautiful Bath: @lbflyawayhome.bsky.social & Gwen John. Cannot remember the last time I got to potter around a museum by myself, let alone two in a day! Feeling refreshed & inspired (+ particularly loved talking to volunteers at Holburne Museum, thank you).

It's Apple Day, so it feels apt to share some thoughts on this wonder: I finished 'North Woods' two weeks ago and can safely say it is my book of the year 🍂 It is dark and earthy, supernatural and ghostly, and beautifully peopled by an array of characters across the ages. Sublime.

When I moved into my house, my dad bought me dahlia bulbs, which I diligently planted back in the spring. Each time this plant has even attempted to flower, the buds and leaves have been eaten by slugs. It has *finally* beaten them. (A flower!! Hurrah!)