Autumn moments
DE/I) Dusk falls early. The days are getting shorter, the air clearer. I love walking through the park at dusk. It’s quiet. There’s no one about. People are making themselves comfortable at home.
Suddenly, I hear it. A soft rustling.
Is it the wind? Was it my foot brushing against the colourful leaves? I pause and listen. It rustles again. Where is it coming from?
On the ground, I spot a chestnut just emerging into the light of day. The spiky husk is half-open, revealing the shiny brown nut inside. And there’s a second spiky thing too. A second prickly ball appears next to the spiky chestnut husk – but with tiny, curious eyes and a little nose.
A hedgehog, rustling along on its autumn stroll.
A village takes a breather
It’s late September, with lovely warm and sunny weather and an azure blue sky. My husband and I are spending a week’s hiking holiday in a beautiful valley in South Tyrol. Surrounded by high mountains with views of glaciers, we immerse ourselves in the mountain world.
In the village there are a few hotels, guesthouses, inns, a café and a grocery shop, plus a few other hikers. The cable car now runs only every other day, alternating between different sides of the mountain. The mountain huts are closing, letting nature prepare for winter hibernation. The marmots are already nice and plump and are still enjoying the last warm days before they snuggle up together in their burrows.
After a long mountain hike, we look forward to apple strudel and coffee down in the valley. A lovely sunny terrace comes into view. We take our seats; the menu does indeed offer apple strudel with cream. The friendly waiter arrives straight away and regrets that he can no longer fulfil our request. It’s the last day, and everything has sold out. After a while, he comes back and offers us a plate of chocolate cake left over from breakfast. We change our minds and order this new option. It takes a while – we’ve already finished our cappuccino – before the waiter proudly arrives with a large plate. In the centre sits the chocolate cake, cut into small squares, topped with cream and decorated with cranberries. How lovely!
By the end of September, peace and quiet have finally settled over the village. The cable car has ceased operations, the grocery shop has closed its doors for refurbishments, the cafés are shut, and a few walkers still enjoy the last of the fine walking weather. The few locals are now busy with the apple harvest or are already packing their suitcases for a well-deserved holiday.
At the start of October, painters, plumbers, joiners and interior designers will descend on the village to get everything ready for the coming winter season, which begins in November. (GeGo)
