I had intended to maybe have a walk and then call in somewhere for a pub lunch although I had nowhere particular in mind. Again we set off around 12.30 pm after a short 25 minute drive and then parking up next to the lake.
There are lots of mature Beech trees in the surrounding woods so the predominant colour was the golden yellow typical of this tree in Autumn, most other deciduous trees such as Sycamore, Horse Chestnut etc. had already shed their leaves and a deep carpet of brown clothed the bare earth and paths.
As we near the end of the Serpentine pool we can see through the trees to the other side.
I was pleased because the paths were becomming quite muddy and so was I and I was not wearing my boots either!
Eventually we turn the corner at the far end and start our return leg down the opposite side, here we get a nice view of the Serpentine.
You can see here a good example of Witch's Brooms which are masses of densely branched small twigs found amongst the branches of trees and said to resemble a witch's broom. They can be induced by various parasites including the fungus.
There are still signs of woodland wildlife and here and there a shy Squirrel peeks around the trunk of a tree as we pass by. Annie as usual misses nothing and will take up the typical pose when she spots something, her eyesight is amazing and I usually stop and look in the direction of her stare and eventually see what has caught her eye, usually a foraging Squirrel.
People often leave food for the birds which in Summer will flock down on the stone walls and the several small bridges across a stream that parallels the path and a typical watering stop for Annie. Here we met up with a very bold little Squirrel who happily sat on a wall scoffing the peanuts left for the birds
It even let me take a short video clip As we walked on we passed the old Wardens Tower and we turned off into the woods to take a look at the old Witches gathering place of Gawson’s Well that I have told you about before. It was still a gloomy looking place even though the surrounding deciduous foliage had fallen leaving only the circle of old Yew trees. There was still the odd weird items hanging in some branches, a lot less though than on previous visits and it was very muddy.
Annie managed an epic fail whilst jumping across a small stream with slippery muddy banks on each side. She finished up spread eagled on her belly like a little Hippo wallowing in the mud.
That meant a further climb into the woods passing the balancing stone and descending a lot of steps down to the waterfall so I could get her cleaned up a little.
A quick paddle and she was looking a lot cleaner although she needed a hot bath when we arrived back home. This is a lovely spot and in the Summer many keen photographers may be seen standing in the water to get that special shot.
Here is one that I borrowed to show how beautiful it looks and emphasise that it is NOT my own work
Finally the sun was starting to sink low so we headed back home passing this field of grazing Canada Geese as we did so
Rather a lot of images, but something to look at on a dull day
You had really lovely light for most of your pictures giving them a soft 'watercolour' appearance that I really find very attractive. Lovely pictures H but don't tell me they were all with your little compact camera. If so it does a very good job. 
I will have to force myself to go up the pub tonight