Today I changed my walking route, left the sea behind me and turned inland. I had no plans, no set route to follow and no idea of what I wanted to photograph.
First, I meandered through Los Altos Park which was deserted: it was eerie having this space all to myself. Normally a place full of dog-walkers, chattering children, and elderly folk sitting on the benches reading, today it was empty despite a temperature of 16 degrees, blue skies, warm sun and no wind. Covid space? Too late in the day? Who knows, but the place was all mine.
Not far from here was what used to be one of the area’s oldest hotels but unfortunately, it closed this year due to a series of misfortunes. The grounds are now deserted, the building, once a grand manor, now stands forlorn its windows no longer shining a light to welcome visitors. There was no one to disturb me or chase me away and I felt a terrible sadness at the loss of this great mansion, its tennis courts now a coach park, and its grounds being overtaken by nature.
Further into the gardens I came across these seats looking so forlorn as they sat amid the falling leaves. Nearby a couple of palm trees, stretched towards the light, valiantly fighting to survive. They were definitely in need of some TLC.
Although I felt sad that the bracken (or was it fern) was now running rampant over the garden wall I cheered myself up with the thought that this would provide a cosy home for the winter for the wildlife I’d seen on my walk (a couple of hedgehogs, lots of spiders and odd creepy-crawlies and I’m sure there were lots more keeping out of my way).
And then I came upon the sunken garden and this splash of colour, a glorious cascade of scarlet leaves, Virginia Creeper I think, that must have migrated from the wall of the old house and settled here to decorate these steps. And just a bit further on, the brilliant red of the Holly berries – a dazzling display of colour amid the dying of the year. It seemed the autumnal red of the Virginia creeper led me to the winter of the Holly.
MARI'S TRAVELS WITH HER CAMERA 
There is so much beauty in nature no matter the time of the year. Thanks for posting these photos.
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Thank you for reading it! I am pleased that you like the photos. Sometimes nature in the raw can look untidy but sometimes they work.
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It is indeed and if my dodgy hip wasn’t so debilitating I would happily do more.
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My sympathies. Mobility is something we take for granted… until it isn’t available any more. I hope simething can be done to alleviate your cindition.
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Autumn emotions amid an autumn scene. Travelling abroad is interesting and fun but exploring one’s own neighbourhood through the changing seasons can also be rewarding.
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Thanks, Anabel, there are too many places like these now left empty and each one represents jobs lost as well, which is even sadder.
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It’s sad to see somewhere once vibrant, now deserted. The autumn colours are wonderful though.
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Shame about the hotel, Mari. Some of those plants in the garden look almost tropical. Scarlet doesn’t happen around here (except for my bougainvillea 🙂 ) but I don’t mind the softer autumn tones. Glad you’re getting out and about.
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Yes it is, although meloncholy. The colours this year are fantastic and set against our blue skies (sorry about that, but we have had sunshine now for 4 days and my London friends are so jealous) it makes them even better. Mind you, I also like rain dripping from the leaves, I think it reminds me of cocoa by the fire and warm blankets.
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The emptiness is eerie but its a beautiful time of year isn’t it.
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