Outdoor Autumn Adventures
Archie Hume of A Hume Country Clothing on a feast of openair, autumn adventures
I’m not qualified to talk about the weather or the changing seasons. My area of expertise orbits around country clobber and knowing how to size and style any man who walks into the shop. Even so, it hasn’t escaped my attention that autumn is upon us.
Bright, blue skies, high pressure and warm days bookended by a slight chill – just enough to stir cravings for fresh air followed by gently spiced soups, open fires and a plump armchair.
I feel hungry to be outdoors, to make the most of every minute. The midges are gone, the days are dry and there is enough light to plan a full day outdoors.
Encouraged by my bootcamp running buddies, I’ve run further this autumn than I would ever have imagined. Across country, past combines rumbling determinedly along the horizon, down tracks I’ve never noticed. Happening across deer on woodland trails and up hills that cause my legs to burn. On a recent escapade we ran from Kirk Yetholm to The Cheviot, dipping onto the Pennine Way and scrambling up to the 800m summit. A round trip of about 20 miles.
It was a major triumph for a minor runner, fuelled by camaraderie and…let’s be honest, the stubborn refusal to be outdone by younger runners. Oh yes, and the prospect of the view. Stunning. Even if it took a while for the panting to subside, to be able to stand up straight and wait for my vision to clear enough to be able to peer out and stake the claim that I could indeed see the Lake District to the west and possibly Edinburgh to the north. Possibly, but probably not.
Who cares? Not me, it was a fantastic day that will sustain me through winter. Whether you run, cycle or walk – get outside while you can. Feast on whatever open-air adventure presents itself, wherever you live. Stock your larder with outdoor experiences to keep you going once the weather drives us inside.
Speaking of the larder those of us lucky enough to have vegetable gardens will be gathering in the last of the tomatoes, raspberries and summer veg; watching the leeks fatten and stamping round the feet of the kale and brassicas to help them stand through the cold months ahead.
Getting through the months ahead will be on all our minds. We’ll need to be on our guard, keep our distance but still be there for each other. I expect to see a resurgence of the community spirit and resilience that got us through the early part of the year. Of people making the most of all that living in the countryside affords us, of helping each other out and a return to the nuts and bolts support offered by local action groups.
Some of you may remember that back in spring, at the start of the pandemic, I volunteered my service to Kelso Resilience Group. There’s a high chance, that before long I’ll be back, trundling around Kelso in a little blue van peddling prescription drugs to those who are shielding. Whilst I’d rather there was no need for my help, it always felt like a good thing to be doing at a bad time. And I suppose, in a nutshell, that is what we should all aspire to do – good things, at a bad time.