Actually storm Bert has arrived and my intent is not to make a joke. The reality is that yesterday the sun shone on a very crisp late autumn day at the Lodge. This muntjac was pretty relaxed and just maintained it’s distance. I generally find that 15 to 20 metres is about as close as you can get so stop around that distance. The air was pretty clear looking south, as the colours continue to become muted as winter approaches. There is a line of pylons which takes electricity from the Little Barford power station, 670m from my house, down to the more densely populated areas around London and they give me a good indication of the clarity of the air. It was pretty good yesterday. The carpet of leaves turns brown as the leaves degrade and are trodden on but there are still fresh ones being added all of the time. The beautiful acer in the garden will take a hammering over the weekend as the wind is building, which was obvious on a walk to town this morning. Nice to catch it before then.