AUTUMN WALK TO BLACKHEATH VILLAGE

In my autumn inspired ‘coat of many colours’.

AUTUMN LEAVES AND HISTORY

No matter what time of year, the walk up to my local  Blue Mountains village of Blackheath is a delight. I always have my little  point and shoot camera in my pocket.  Without fail there is something worth snapping, and it’s an excuse to rest occasionally as I climb  the hill.

So off  I go,  down the drive past the letterbox. It’s a bit chilly, better put on a coat and scarf.

The maples have lost most of their leaves

Which direction shall I take today,  left or right? Right I think.

Leaves are decorating an old WWII wheelbarrow, made during construction of an air-raid shelter in Sydney. It was a gift from my ‘top side’ neighbour.

I only have to look up and there are birds feasting.

The king parrots love autumn nuts and maple seeds.

A delicious breakfast of Tulip Tree seeds,

Just a short walk along the lane and I round the bottom corner of our garden;

Seedling maples doing well. Old fence looking a bit wobbly though.

Next it’s past the local duck pond with its pretty autumnal reflections. The  native wood ducks always  swim over to me hoping for a handout, but I have a ‘no feed ‘policy (well I might weaken if a small child is with me.)

I love the seasonal changes visible in the pond

A few more steps and I’m in Memorial Park and passing the wisteria pergola, or it is pergoda?

I emerge into the top end of Gardiner’s Crescent. I’m not sure which is prettier on this Japanese maple, the trunk or the foliage.

On the other side of the street is an avenue of ornamental cherry trees, Many of Blackheath’s cherry trees were planted by local residents.  How pretty those autumn flowering camellias  look against the white fence below the trees..

Pretty as a picture.

Now it’s  into Govett’s Leap Road,  and from here its just a  short walk up to the shops. Still some original old cottages looking their best under colourful trees.

Idyllic behind the picket fence.

I cross Wentworth Street, where tourists are still snapping photos of the liquidambars.

Visitors enjoying the ambiance of Wentworth Street

First stop for me in the village is often  the Victory Antiques Centre (originally a picture theatre). I may be some time in here, looking for pill-boxes among other things.

Photo-bombed by  Editor Des, a bear I know quite well

I enjoy a coffee at various cafes in my wanderings, but I do have a soft spot for Altitude, because they sell wonderful Melting Moments. They  remind me of my mother.

Sorry, messed up the coffee art before I took this pic.

I’ll leave my walk home for another post, but  I complete a circle;  down past the Community Centre, across Wentworth Street, past the start of Inconstant Street (funny name eh?) then down the hill  back to The Gums.

Home sweet home

NOTE – There was a strong wind today, which removed most of the autumn leaves. Winter is nigh.