Doug’s DIARY

It’s Halloween today, and Pippin and Fred are dressed up accordingly. They’re supposed to be going to a party later in the village where Pippin goes to school, but I don’t think we’re likely to be able to get there without a boat. The past few days have seen some incredible rainstorms, and there is more heavy rain forecast for today. Throughout the region is widespread flooding, and, in our house, we are hearing the drip, drip, drip of a leaky roof, which is very worrying.

We have had our first frosts, and they have encouraged the flamboyant tones of autumn to adorn the countryside. Bright red maple leaves, deep burgundy of copper beech and the vibrant yellow leaflets of ash gradually detach, fall and disperse in the wind and rain.

The month started