Dear Readers, Hampstead Heath is a remarkable place, with a whole range of habitats, from woodland and grassland to lakes and even bogs. But today was Mr Bug  Woman’s birthday (39 yet again) and so we went for a walk to the caff at Kenwood for a coffee and a cake, rather than  embarking on an expedition. Nonetheless, there were lots of lovely things to see and wonder at. The trees are losing their leaves, but that means that the shape of their branches can be seen more clearly. I love how these trees are reaching towards the light above the path.

Alongside the path is a fence that surrounds a very extensive house (which, if memory serves me correctly, has a number of slides into their swimming pool). They seem to have planted a lot of Pyracantha (firethorn) against the fence, maybe as a deterrent to the curious and the criminally-inclined. Well, it will certainly work eventually, the thorns on the plant are as sharp as razor wire.

Elsewhere, the ash tree leaves have fallen…

and it looks as if the acorn crop has been extensive…

Not sure about these leaves but thinking pear, what do you think, Readers?

My favourite Sweet Chestnut tree is looking pretty impressive, as always…

And then we reach Kenwood, where the queues for the coffee are long, and so I have a chance to observe the cheeky crows as, first, they observe us…

and then they hurtle down to clear the crumbs from the table of the people who left about two seconds ago.

A pair of loved-up pigeons watch from the roof. They’re too sensible to quarrel with the crows.

And then it’s a final loop past the fishing pond…

with a brief pause to admire the reed bed…

I love how London has so many green spaces, varying from manicured parks to wild spots. Hampstead Heath is always a bit too crowded, especially on the main paths, but there is still a lot of biodiversity. Today, a flock of at least 20 Long-tailed tits flew around us, foraging in the trees and shrubs and piping away to one another – such a joy. As the nights draw in and the weather gets colder, it’s even more important to stick my nose out of the front door, preferably daily. I always feel so much better for it….