Autumn Sun

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For man, autumn is a time of harvest,

of gathering together.

For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.

~ Edwin Way Teale ~

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Hello again from the Hovel and I’ve had a very good reason for not posting since last week, outside beckoned me due to the sun shining.... Yes we finally had the sun that we had been craving for over the summer. We have been blessed with days of sunshine and what a joy it was to walk outside and feel the warmth on my face. September is usually a warm sunny month and although it was late in starting it didn’t let me down, which makes the start of autumn extra special. Although it has been dull in parts today it doesn’t distract from the feeling I get during my favourite season. Today is the Autumnal Equinox which means the sun is moving southwards but I hope it doesn’t move too far away for I love the sun this time of year. I like nothing more than to walk outside and feel that slight chill as a breeze rustles through the trees causing leaves to fall at your feet.......

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The colours of nature never fail to amaze me, yellow, gold, bronze, red and orange mixed with green and when the sun shines it’s magically.....

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This time of year takes me back to when I was a child when the chill in the air reminded me that Goose Fair would soon be here. I am from Nottingham originally and the first Thursday of October was the start of Goose Fair which was held at the Forest for three days. To a child this was an exciting time because all the fairs from around the country congregated here and it was a child’s joy. Thursday was primarily for children and we always had the afternoon off from school to attend. Off I would go with my parents and older sister. My mum used to wrap us up in a coat, hat, etc, for the evenings would get chilly and damp. Oh I remember being atop my dad’s shoulders so I could see more. My sister, who was more daring, liked to go on the fast rides but I was not so brave. At the end of the evening we would make our way home with a coconut, candyfloss, toffee apples and a doll. One year I remember I had a monkey on a stick but much preferred the doll whose clothes would be made out of Nottingham lace....

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Goose Fair was originally held in September at the market square in the city centre. The above vintage postcard from my collection shows the fair when it was held there. The statue of Queen Victoria is no longer there....
No one really knows where the name Goose Fair came from but one suggestion is that geese were taken to Nottingham to be sold along with food, etc. The earliest record of a fair being held was in 1541 but it is likely that there may have been a fair or market held long before this. With the arrival of the railway transport became easier and there was no longer the need to stock up with food in the autumn in preparation for harsh winters. Gradually people began to look upon Goose Fair as an excuse to have a good time but it wasn’t until around 1825 that Merry-Go-Rounds made an appearance. However the town council decided to ban them then but not any more.....
The fair was originally held for eight days but gradually after 1876 it was reduced to three days. As the fair expanded and spilled over into the neighbouring streets it was felt that it was no longer a practical site. Despite protests from local people in 1928 the fair was moved to the Forest Recreation Ground. Today we don’t see the geese, jugglers, minstrels but sadly pickpockets of the modern variety still frequent Goose Fair.....but it doesn’t take away the magic of the fair and for us children this meant the start of Bonfire Night with a hand-made Guy and Halloween trick or treat. What fun autumn is to a child and that feeling lasts for a lifetime.....

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Talking of Halloween made me think of pumpkins and I thought I would show you what my hubby and his work colleagues did to one poor relative of the pumpkin family. Now he tells me he is busy at work and I don’t doubt it for a minute but they found time to do this......and after the owner said not to, big mistake...hehe....

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Just read the note, ‘Please Do Not Touch’, how tempting....

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Phoning home

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Calling out the jobs

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No Privacy (sorry about this one!!!!)

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Getting ready to go home

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As if this wasn’t enough they took the poor thing out in a taxi and on to the beach but perhaps he enjoyed himself......I won’t tell you what the owner said when he found out!!!!! Thankfully he had already won a prize......Enjoy your week. Until next time.....lol.....

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~ Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower ~

~Albert Camus~

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