Recessing greens

I arrived with time to spare before I picked up Helena from the Nailsworth Natural Health Centre, where she has her practise. I was parked opposite the clinic and took the opportunity that the late evening sun offered as it shone across the front of the building. The leaves of the creeper climbing all over the building were glowing, whether they were still green or autumnal red.

From this position, I liked the impression of the building being camouflaged against the thick tree cover on the rising slope behind the building. The road rises steeply behind the clinic, as the old route climbs up the slope to the famous 'W', the name for the zig-zag shape more commonly associated with Alpine passes. The road leads to Box, Minchinhampton and the common beyond which is the Golden Valley into Stroud where we live.

Below the clinic to the right, Pensile Road which was a turnpike, leads up the Nailsworth valley towards several mills as well as the underground stone mines, that supplied the very distinctive and important building stone which was exported widely. The mine entrances are all boarded up, but I did meet someone recently who told me that it is sometimes possible to go inside and see the workings. I get a bit claustrophobic so I don't think I will attempt it.

Although I love these vivid colours, I have a sense of autumn being much closer than I really want. At least it is likely to look stunning., especially when I get to famous Westonbirt Arboretum for the annual spectacle of 'fall'. More of that later; much later, I hope.