As the seasons change and it gets wetter and colder, it’s easy to see why less of us venture out into nature. Lower light levels and cooler temperatures affect our mood and motivation. The temptation to snuggle up in front of a warm fire and enter a period of semi hibernation may be strong but it’s worth listening to arguments in favour of braving the elements and exploring the beauty of autumn.
Three good reasons to get outside this autumn:
1. Autumn colours
Autumn is arguably the most beautiful season at Lake Vyrnwy. As the leaves gently change from green to a rainbow of orange, red, yellow and golden browns, the views mellow and soften as nature rolls out a technicolour carpet of leaves. Crunching through the leaves on a crisp morning is one of the great pleasures of this time of year.
Lake Vyrnwy (rspb images)
2. Escape the crowds
When we set out into the wilds, we don’t usually dream of standing in a crowd of people with all the noise and distractions that usually encompasses. With the summer holidays well and truly over, the opportunity to take a walk in nature and have the trail all to yourself becomes a real possibility. The sounds of birds, wildlife and the wind through the trees really comes alive when a little solitude can be found. Early mornings and evenings are particularly special but a rainy day in September can be just as lovely.
Look up and you may see passing geese as they migrate, look down and a surprising diversity of fungi, mosses and lichens are often dotted around the trees and woodland floor. Around you, the bushes are likely to be full of ripe berries; it really is a time of abundance ahead of the cold winter.
3. Enjoy the rain
Rain has a bit of an image problem. We complain about rain perhaps more than any other weather. Yet it can be a wonderful time to get outside and feel truly alive. I like the saying, ‘there is no such thing as bad weather, you just need the correct clothing’. Rain can be fun and a great sensory experience with all the sounds, sensations and smells it creates. When was the last time you spent some time splashing around in puddles, or squelching through the mud- just for fun?
…and without a little rain we just don’t get rainbows. There is something very special about driving over the dam and seeing a rainbow arching across the water, mirrored in the still waters of the lake. Early mornings are particularly spectacular with the sun low in the sky and the bright autumn sunlight refracting through the rain in all its splendour.
Above all of this, it’s pretty obvious that we need some rain. We need water to survive and so does the flora and fauna we wish to protect. We need the rain for our landscape to retain the beautifully rich and vibrant green tones which Wales is famous for.
Fear of getting wet is really quite silly when you think about it. In the end, ‘it’s only water’ and unless you are the wicked witch of the west, you really won’t melt. So grab your coat, pull on those wellies and come to see us at Vyrnwy this autumn.
Jampa King, Membership Development Officer
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