Even at 6.45 am, when I let the chickens, geese and ducks out of their night time houses, there was no chill in the air and it was difficult to believe that autumn was on the way.  On the front lawn there is a light dusting of fallen leaves and the acers and the sumac tree have turned a delicious orange colour.  So, in spite of the unseasonably warm weather ( long may it continue), the plants are following their annual patterns and I will soon be raking piles of leaves into the wheelbarrow.