I did not manage to get upto the Goyt this evening. Late back from work, and its dark by 8.30pm so had to give it a miss. This is the time of the year that I find I notice a subtle shift in the seasons. There is already something in the air in Derbyshire, even though its been quite a warm day, that says that's about it for summer. Move over because autumn is on its way. I suppose part of this is noticing that the curlews and the swallows, swifts and house martins, are going. The moors will seem strangely silent for a while. I shall miss the curlews in particular. There seemed to be more of them this year. It was a great way to end the day by finding a decent vantage point and watch them glide down the valley to their nesting site. Of course they will be back, and no doubt I shall see the owl silently hunting at dawn and dusk, and winter brings its own pleasures, such as sitting on the hillside and watching the snow showers sweep across you, briefly transforming your world into an artic wilderness, before moving on and bringing you back to the real more mundane reality. Things to look forward to!