Winter Is Coming

Burs and crushed chestnuts litter the road every so often under the towering chestnut trees. Chestnuts also begin to appear at markets.

We've fired up the chimney more than once; to heat up the house and to roast some freshly-gathered chestnuts, too. 

Can you spot the early bloomer?

The pumpkin patches are replete with yellowish-orange-green gourds. (Here the pumpkin patches you may drive by aren't used as family photo ops before Halloween. Their use is much more practical: all of those huge pumpkins will be fed to the pigs in due time.) 

We've put the flannel sheets and thick blankets on the bed as the nighttime temperatures drop. 

The first Camelia flower has blossomed, a winter-blooming tree.

And yet, and yet. The highs are still in the upper 70s (Fahrenheit, 25ºC). In the early afternoon you can get away without long sleeves of any kind. Our garden is still producing vegetables known for their need for sunshine: tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. 

According to the calendar, winter is coming, but so far we haven't had even a taste of it (except for cooler nights). Apparently though, the Galician fall we all know and love is right around the corner. For the next few weeks the forecast is rain, rain, and more rain with temperatures apt for this time of year.

Aside from winter, also coming is a recap of Cousin Fun in San Froilán, so stay tuned!