The alders and birches are almost bare, and the chestnut tree by the
henhouse has dropped all its large leaves in a heap at its feet. Scores
of small and large birds are gorging themselves on autumn fruits, the
rowans already stripped by fieldfares and pheasants patrolling for the
leftovers. After a terrible wet cold floody day yesterday we woke up
this morning to see snow on the mountain tops; winter's here :-)

Janet (Scotland).