First day of Autumn

The first day of Autumn and late this afternoon came  the first rain we've had since June 6.  Actually, we don't remember rain then but the gardening diary that we keep says "thunder and showers 1pm and 6pm". 

It was a lovely clear sunrise - I went out early with Monty and Pip for a walk but as the sun rose so the clouds gathered and although the sun was there it really struggled to get through today.  Not cold, but not hot either.  Then later this afternoon a breeze picked up, I put all the sunbed and chair cushions away just in case,  as we know from past years that the weather can change really rapidly.  About 6pm, a few drops of rain started then we had a fairly steady drizzle for a few hours.  Enough to dampen the ground, it smells really earthy outside.  Took off the covers from the compost heaps to let the rain get in them too.

It seems to have stopped now, took the umbrella out with me when we went for a last walk this evening but only a few spots coming down.  Tomorrows forecast is back to sunshine, although it is cooling down now.  Some of the leaves are starting to drop, especially the almond trees, when we knock off the almonds the leaves come down too, but they all get raked up and composted.