It’s no secret that we’re are about to begin my favourite season of the year again. Don’t get me wrong, summer is wonderful with its long days, sunny cheerfulness, barefoot freedom and general fun and frolics. But autumn is when all of nature’s – and our own! – hard work pays off and we get to reap what we sow. Blackberries, raspberries, peaches, pears and plums, as well as a huge variety of plump, colourful vegetables are all ready for harvesting. If you are one of those people like me who love to make jams, chutneys, tarts and casseroles, the start of autumn is almost a sensory overload of flavour and colour!

On our wild and mild stretch of Atlantic coastline, the hay bales are all tucked up in their winter wrappings, the migratory birds are starting to gather in large jittery flocks and the young hares, robins and wrens that we’ve so enjoyed watching in our garden this summer, are all maturing fast in readiness for the harsher months ahead. As an illustrator it’s the one time of the year that my palette can happily turn to the warm glow of gold, bronze and copper without seeming garish, and my camera that is so often neglected while I’m still the mum of a young, busy boy, is once more taken out and I get to try and capture a few of this year’s autumnal glories.

Autumn is about slowing down, taking stock and giving thanks. And about eating copious amounts of blackberry pie….

Autumn Foraging