As I walked through the cemetery, autumn colours were just beginning to sparkle on the trees. I opened the gate into the woodland burial ground and there he was again basking in the sun like last time. He/she seems to be bold and fearless, obviously habituated to people. He only allowed me to approach so far before retreating to the undergrowth, however.
Continuing my walk around the perimeter I was fascinated to see an apple tree laden with rosy fruit. Presumably it has grown from an apple core discarded by a visitor to the cemetery. There are also some heavily fruiting crab apples in this part of the cemetery too, but a green, rather than a red variety so not sure what sort of jelly they would make.
Further around I was pleased to see the spindle trees now with open fruits displaying the orange seed. Although the insignificant flowers are white earlier in the year in autumn they create a magnificent display. Although the spindles here are most likely planted for ornamental purposes, in the wild they are an indicator of ancient woodland. The wood from spindles is creamy-white, hard and dense. It is straight grained and was once used to make 'spindles' for spinning and holding wool (hence its name), as well as skewers, toothpicks, pegs and knitting needles.
The guelder rose berries are now well-ripened but it needs another week or so before the foliage reaches its full autumn glory.
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