Autumn and a Birthday

"Now Autumn's fire burns slowly along the woods and day by day the dead leaves fall and melt". William Allingham

A beautiful drive up Mount Macedon to celebrate another birthday for the biggest Bowerbird.  My last year without a teenager in the house, the last month I get to be taller than her.  She had her ears pierced to celebrate and was happy to have a simple day out with her bestie.

We eat pizza in the crisp Autumn air because the Pub is full of visitors. They have also taken a drive to admire the Mountain's vibrant display of trees from distant lands. Happy cold slapped cheeks turn red like maple leaves. Japanese, Canadian, Chinese, English, German, American, Scottish, Siberian, Danish, Mexican ..... the trees dance a fiery global tango of colour, it is joyous. There are piles of leaves for feet to crunch and kick, and newly fallen leaves to watch flutter and drift, swept along by the breeze.