This is an atmospheric time of year. An afternoon ride not far away was bathed in bright low sun, lovely to perceive even as I felt the temperature fall. And it was quiet, so very quiet, as if none were left on the exposed chalk hills except for the occasional farm worker (in an air-conditioned tractor cab) and me riding Brena. Even as the sky is bright, the valleys seem to have entered a seasonal slumber.
This splendid character was happily grazing a hillside, well equipped for warmth on the most exposed of slopes. This farm seems to specialise in Highland cattle, and they are often to be seen near the trail, complete with magnificent horns.
An hour back to the trailer, forty five minutes by road to the barn, and it was dark. Such are the short days of late autumn. I'm getting back into the habit of taking Brena to the field in the dark, and reversing the trailer into its spot in the dark too.
At least I'll take home memories of lovely sunlit trails, like this section through a wood. Further along, I was ducking beneath low boughs as Brena weaved her way. It's not a trail to ride fast, as if I'd want to with so much to look at.
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