<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Leaf-collectionNov19.jpg"><img class="alignright  wp-image-5891" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Leaf-collectionNov19-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="186" height="248" /></a>At this time of the year the trees decide to shed their leaves. I haven't figured out why yet but I'm sure there's a simple explanation - something to do with being tired and wishing to regenerate.

I have choices - allow the leaves to pile up and collect them all when there isn't a single leaf left on any of the trees or tackle it a couple of times a week. I decided on the latter. Leaf blowing is quite fun and it is good exercise. Lucie from next door swept both drives so I cleared my lawns. I now have 5 large bags of leaves to take to the tip because I've already got a huge pile of composted leaves from last year which need to be dug into the vegetable plot. Another task...

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/acerNov19.jpg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-5890" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/acerNov19-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="166" height="221" /></a>There is still plenty of colour around. Top of the list is the Acer which is truly magnificent. This photo doesn't do it justice in terms of the depth of colour.

I still need to sort out the vegetable plot although I have disassembled the runner bean poles and cleared most of the veg out. There are still some carrots to come out of the ground but I think they will be eaten by slugs by now. I also have some green chilli peppers in the potting shed that need to be brought in. Some of them may turn into red chillies.

The bees are settling down for the winter and I've continued to feed them fondant so they remain strong through the winter. The trick now is to keep them fed but not to let them get cold by opening the hive for too long. The workers will cluster in the brood box around the queen and maintain a brood temperature of 35 degrees C by vibrating their wings to generate heat. I need to put on a mouse guard because the warmth of the hive is quite attractive to mice.