AUTUMN GLORY

It’s sometimes hard to believe we’re in the middle of October.  Yesterday we took time out to put on our walking boots and get out into the wide blue yonder to explore some of the marvellous countryside near Chichester.

 

Can this really be October?

Rolling hills, scudding clouds, bird song and beautiful blue skies; we’re truly blessed to have the South Downs National Park almost on our doorstep.

 

You can see for miles across the downs

Here are some of our photos taken from one of the public footpath trails along the South Downs Way

 

Clever camouflage - I almost didn't spot it

Alien type plants in the hedgerows

Butterfly enjoying the sunshine

Colourful red autumn berries

Wild poppies in the long grass

Where will this trail take us?

It seems we’re not the only ones enjoying the balmy autumn sunshine.  There’s a shelled warrior on the loose who’s definitely not showing signs of hibernating any time soon.

 

Always looking for an escape route

Shelby enjoying the autumn sun

Every day I come home from work to find Shelby has somehow managed to escape her indoor pen.  Her latest Houdini like trick is to climb the plastic flower pot in the corner of her enclosure to lever herself onto the cardboard beer box where she normally sleeps once out. 

 

And for my next trick

This is what I do when you're at work

How she gets down from the box without a tortoise parachute is anyone’s guess but as Horsfields are very adept at climbing or digging then I’m sure she’s found some clever way to descend.

 

Hibernation?  Not likely

Doing the daily lounge inspection

She’s free to roam wherever she fancies on the ground floor so it’s no wonder I find her in some very unusual places such as under the lounge curtains, inside the sliding door cupboard, under the hi-fi unit or battling the imaginary chair tortoise.  It’s your reflection you daft thing!

It's not a real tortoise you silly old thing