First frost

[Stonehead]

The temperature dropped to just below zero overnight so we have our first proper frost this morning. It's one of those beautiful autumn days when the sky is clear blue from horizon to horizon, the grass and leaves are sparkling with light frost and melting water, and the birds are singing their hearts out.

The muck heaps are steaming, the cockerels are feeling frisky and the pigs have decided it's a good morning to dance.

Lovely.

[Shirley]

It's beautiful isn't it!!!! Did you see last night's full moon??

It's one of those days when everything feels just perfect!

[Chickpea]

It'll probably be another month or so before the first frost here (fingers crossed - I'm hoping to pick more runner beans and courgettes before the frost kills all the plants).

But it was a heck of a full moon wasn't it?

[Dave]

I'll be half glad when the runner bean season is over, every day for the last month or two. Got a freezer full and a load of dried ones - given loads away but they keep coming and coming. Will plant a little less next year I think.

[Muddypause]

Did you see last night's full moon??

Last night was a partial eclipse of the moon. It was in eclipse as the moon rose at sunset, so people in the east would have got the best view, especially in Scotland, where the sun will have set a bit earlier. I think it was something like 40% eclipse.

Don't tell me y'all missed it up there!

[baldowrie]

erm what time did the sun set down your way because up here Scotland it set fairly late on in the night and was still fairly bright out side at 11pm

[Shirley]

didn't miss it Muddy.... but it was a bit bright to see much.. I think I caught the tail end of it on one of my photos but I've had to enhance it a little to show it....

[Muddypause]

For some reason I thought we'd passed the equinox, which we haven't yet, so you will still be lighter for longer than us southerners. But as it's only about 2 weeks away, it's surprising to hear that it's still light with you at 11. We are fully dark by about 8:30 ATM.

[the.fee.fairy]

didn't see the eclipse, i was at work til 11..

the moonlight was very very beautiful where i was last night though, i wish i could have gone to the local forest for a while, but alas, without a strong guardian that would have been stupidity...and the dog was asleep and didn't want to go out

I spent a good hour looking at the moon laying on my bed though...it was magical! Shame there was no special someone to look at it with (although, had he been there, the OH would probably have complained about me looking at the moon with the curtains open anyway).

[Shirley]

It's not light here at 11... well not without moonlight anyway.... I did hear of a website that shows the different sunrise/sunset times around the uk but I've lost in in my list of bookmarks!

Still light enough to see outside now though - the beginnings of twilight I suppose.

Purple dragon posted on Neeps! to say that it wasn't the harvest moon this time.. usually it is the September full moon that is the harvest moon, but this time it will be the October full moon as that is closest to the equinox (23rd September) - she's right clever is that lass!

[Muddypause]

i wish i could have gone to the local forest for a while, but alas, without a strong guardian that would have been stupidity

Why, what do you have in your local forest? Wolves? Bears? Murderous axemen?

the OH would probably have complained about me looking at the moon with the curtains open anyway.

Shame on him. Has the man no sense of romance?

[the.fee.fairy]

Nope, no sense of romance at all!

Forests are nicer with someone/thing big and strong...and there's sheep with ramming on their minds...and birds determined to divebomb lurking in them thar trees!

[Martin]

it was SO bright last night that it shouldn't be spooky at all! If you live in town in the glare of sodium lighting, you probably don't notice it, but a full moon like last night with a clear sky is like daylight once your eyes are accustomed to it!
By the way, if you require an escort one moonlit night..........
(mind you, you're probably in far more danger from your escort than the ghoulies and ghosties of the night!)

[baldowrie]

Muddy it amazes my southerner friends every year when they talk about it being dark by 8pm etc and I say the sun has not gone down here yet. But come the winter we are dark much earlier and light much later.

Shirley must have just been one of those nights were certain areas stay light later

[Stonehead]

Pig huts by moonlight last night...