The Four Seasons in South Devon

This is the beginning of my blog about the seasons. I start with the current season, autumn 2023.
Autumn is my favourite month. We are now in September the transition from summer to autumn. Forgotten are the heat wave in June, the constant miserable rain in July, and the mixed weather for the holiday-makers in August. They have now gone back home, hopefully feeling refreshed.
This is the season when clubs and societies start up again, including the Torbay Astronomical Society, of which I am an honorary life member. These days much can be seen on screens from NASA, ESA, and space telescopes. This is all great but nothing compares with observing with the naked eye, whether through a telescope or not. The exciting news is that Saturn is well placed for observing. I vividly remember when I first saw this planet through the large telescope at the Society and was filled with wonder at seeing its rings and in so much detail. That evening Chris, who was operating the telescope, had managed to find Pluto (now a minor planet). I was observing a tiny object which is 2.66 billion miles away when closest to the Earth. Saturn was in the same part of the sky, and it was easy for Chris to slew the scope to find it. I have seen it many times since then and am always amazed. I have the same feeling with other planets and with more distant objects. I could go on and on about the night sky. Maybe next time “the Andromeda Galaxy”.
My large garden needs less attention in autumn: weeding the leek bed; feeding the celeriac; picking squashes (please see picture); picking tomatoes and apples; and later on the mass collection of fallen leaves.
Newton Abbot, where I live, has a favourable climate for gardening, being situated between the high terrain of Dartmoor and the South Devon Coast. We seem to miss the worst extremes of the weather, both the heat and the storms. I am currently very aware of the climate emergency, seeing the effects of the recent flash flooding in Dawlish, Kenton and Harberton. Politicians are thinking short term and not taking climate change seriously. I could go on.
We have good produce in South Devon. On Fridays, John comes with his van, having collected fresh fish from Brixham fish market. There is too much to choose from. My current favourites are black bream and lemon sole. Stewart the butcher delivers excellent local meat. Gill, a wine merchant, now and then delivers a few cases of wine to go into my cool cellar.
There is sadness in my life, as Liz, my wife passed away in February of last year, after 52 years of a very happy marriage. It has been hard to adjust: sadness, a sense of loss, and loneliness. I have had support from family and friends, but also have kept active. Writing stories, which I love doing, gives me a feeling of purpose and fulfilment. I hope the readers enjoy my novels as much as I do when writing them. I am very excited about the publication of my first novel, “The Curious Tale of a French Salesman”. Must stop now to think about a crime mystery which I am starting. I have worked out a motive and am thinking about a murder weapon or maybe poison.
The Four Seasons in South Devon
This is the beginning of my blog about the seasons. I start with the current season, autumn 2023.
Autumn is my favourite month. We are now in September the transition from summer to autumn. Forgotten are the heat wave in June, the constant miserable rain in July, and the mixed weather for the holiday-makers in August. They have now gone back home, hopefully feeling refreshed.
This is the season when clubs and societies start up again, including the Torbay Astronomical Society, of which I am an honorary life member. These days much can be seen on screens from NASA, ESA, and space telescopes. This is all great but nothing compares with observing with the naked eye, whether through a telescope or not. The exciting news is that Saturn is well placed for observing. I vividly remember when I first saw this planet through the large telescope at the Society and was filled with wonder at seeing its rings and in so much detail. That evening Chris, who was operating the telescope, had managed to find Pluto (now a minor planet). I was observing a tiny object which is 2.66 billion miles away when closest to the Earth. Saturn was in the same part of the sky, and it was easy for Chris to slew the scope to find it. I have seen it many times since then and am always amazed. I have the same feeling with other planets and with more distant objects. I could go on and on about the night sky. Maybe next time “the Andromeda Galaxy”.
My large garden needs less attention in autumn: weeding the leek bed; feeding the celeriac; picking squashes (please see picture); picking tomatoes and apples; and later on the mass collection of fallen leaves.
Newton Abbot, where I live, has a favourable climate for gardening, being situated between the high terrain of Dartmoor and the South Devon Coast. We seem to miss the worst extremes of the weather, both the heat and the storms. I am currently very aware of the climate emergency, seeing the effects of the recent flash flooding in Dawlish, Kenton and Harberton. Politicians are thinking short term and not taking climate change seriously. I could go on.
We have good produce in South Devon. On Fridays, John comes with his van, having collected fresh fish from Brixham fish market. There is too much to choose from. My current favourites are black bream and lemon sole. Stewart the butcher delivers excellent local meat. Gill, a wine merchant, now and then delivers a few cases of wine to go into my cool cellar.
There is sadness in my life, as Liz, my wife passed away in February of last year, after 52 years of a very happy marriage. It has been hard to adjust: sadness, a sense of loss, and loneliness. I have had support from family and friends, but also have kept active. Writing stories, which I love doing, gives me a feeling of purpose and fulfilment. I hope the readers enjoy my novels as much as I do when writing them. I am very excited about the publication of my first novel, “The Curious Tale of a French Salesman”. Must stop now to think about a crime mystery which I am starting. I have worked out a motive and am thinking about a murder weapon or maybe poison.

Post Views : 135