The leaves of red and brown pile up. Fields and pastures take on a warm, grey-green aspect if the weather remains dry, as now. Even pale sunshine has been known as the driving rain of winter and summer alike recede and dry ground and fields return for a time. The tiltyard is deserted, with only the flags and heraldic posts looking worn and deserted. Trees gradually shed all their vast foliage and begin to take on a bleak, black, twisted aspect of many intertwining branches. Flowers fade and die and it seems a long time until fresh green shoots will arrive in spring.
To walk through the grounds and extensive gardens of Hampton Court at this time of year is pleasant and refreshing indeed. The deer run freely under blue-tinged skies and pheasants strut along with nonchalant ease. Fish jump i
