Golden Hours & Misty Mornings: Capturing English Seasons
There is something undeniably special about the rhythm of nature in England. One month, ancient woodlands are blanketed in a vibrant purple sea of flowers; the next, those same branches are dusted with frost or glowing with the amber hues of autumn. Unlike predictable climates, England offers a dramatic transformation four times a year.
Whether it is the crisp bite of a winter morning paired with a steaming cup of tea, the sun-drenched coastal paths of summer, or the moody, mist-veiled mornings of fall, every season tells a completely different story.
Read our post on keeping safe in snow.
While many people see weather as something to complain about, In All Weathers encourages us to look at it differently — as something to enjoy, explore and celebrate.
Written as a journey through some of Britain’s most dramatic landscapes, this beautifully crafted book takes readers on a series of walks through different types of weather. From the powerful winds of the Isle of Skye to the mysterious fogs of East Anglia, each walk reveals how weather shapes the places around us and changes the way we experience the natural world.
The book reminds us that weather is not simply something that happens in the background. It is a vital part of the landscape, affecting the plants, animals, people and places that make Britain unique.
Matt Gaw is a writer, journalist and naturalist with a deep passion for the countryside and the natural world. He works with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust and writes a monthly country diary for Suffolk magazine.
Angela Harding’s Quartet of Seasonal Prose
Angela Harding is a talented writer, artist and printmaker whose beautiful work celebrates the natural world around us. She has illustrated many books and written several of her own, creating a collection of gentle, thoughtful books.
Her stunning quartet of seasonal books is a wonderful gift for anyone who loves nature, art and the simple beauty of the world around us. The collection of four books is also sold as a gift set.
Falling into Autumn: A Printmaker’s View
Autumn season in England casts a golden hue and chill in the air, as nights draw in, birds prepare for migration and animals prepare for winter hibernation. Trees lose their leaves and , and horse chestnut trees drop their seeds (keep conkers and leaf mould away from dogs).
Falling into Autumn is a beautiful combination of artwork and writing, filled with Angela’s personal observations of the season. The book features more than 30 of her favourite prints, alongside reflections .
I am inspired by watching jays gathering acorns, owls hooting and the joy of hearing nightingales. In the shady part of my garden, ferns grow. By the autumn, these same leaves are starting to go brown at the edges.
This seems to be at the same time that the swallows gather to leave. Together with the ferns, they are markers that the summer has gone; that one season has finished and another is about to begin.
Winter’s Song: A Printmaker’s View
Winter’s Song is a beautifully illustrated pocket hardback book celebrating the quiet magic of winter. It makes a thoughtful gift or a comforting bedtime read for anyone who enjoys nature and beautiful artwork.
Angela explores how winter transforms the landscape. Snow, frost and cold weather create a different world, revealing details that are often hidden.
When snow falls heavily, familiar paths and fields can suddenly look completely different. Animal tracks become visible in the snow, showing where hares, rabbits and birds have travelled. The countryside becomes a place of mystery, with every footprint telling a story.
Winter is often seen as a quiet season, but Angela reminds us that it is full of life. Birds continue their search for food, animals adapt to the colder weather and nature continues its cycle of change.
When the snow falls quickly, it brings dramatic change. Hare, rabbit and bird tracks become visible in the lanes and fields.
Spring Unfurled: A Printmaker’s View
Spring Unfurled celebrates the excitement and freshness of spring. This beautifully illustrated guide captures the season when the natural world begins to wake after winter.
Angela reflects on how birds know exactly when it is time to travel. As daylight changes and temperatures rise, they return to their breeding grounds. Later in the year, when evenings become cooler and days grow shorter.
The seasons are nature’s clock, bringing birds from distant shores to nest and breed. Seasons have no regard for official times. When the days shorten and the evening air is chilly, they know it’s time to leave.
Did you know all spring bulbs (including daffodils) are not safe near pets? Read more on pet-friendly gardens.
Summer’s Hum: A Love of Birds and Wildlife
The final book in the quartet, Summer’s Hum, celebrates the warmth, energy and abundance of summer.
Angela’s love of wildlife began when she was young. In an interview, she explains that while many children had pictures of pop stars on their bedroom walls, she had pictures of birds. Her fascination with nature has remained throughout her life and continues to inspire her artwork today.
The Wild Beauty of England’s Frosty Mornings
Wear warm organic layers, including a middle layer to trap body heat. And a waterproof jacket to shield against damp morning mists. Choose quality walking boots with good tread, to navigate hidden black ice, especially on paths and stiles.
Advice for walking on frosty ground is (like in snow), to ‘walk like a penguin’:
- Move slowly with small shuffling steps
- Keep your feet pointed slightly outward.
- Keep your knees bent.
- Hands out of pockets (use arms to balance)
Doing the above lowers your centre of gravity, to increase stability and reduce the risk of falls. You can also wear ice grips on shoes or boots.
How To Protect Plants from Frost
Many plants will die if you leave them outside in frost, or transplant seedlings too early. But don’t use netting to cover plants, as these can trap birds and wildlife. Read more on wildlife-friendly gardens for alternate methods (like fruit protection mesh and pet-safe mulch).
If using greenhouses, you can buy special birdtape to avoid bird seeing foliage from outside, to help stop birds flying into windows.
Defrost Windscreens Without Chemicals
Rather than use de-icing sprays, there are other solutions (avoid hot water, it could crack the glass):
- Park your car undercover!
- Use a windscreen cover overnight (an old car mat will do).
- Use a manual scraper (or non-scratch kitchen spatula).
- Park your car facing east (early morning sun will melt the ice).
- Rub an onion on the windscreen the night before. The oil lines the glass, to stop freezing (keep onions away from pets).
- Or spritz a mix of cold water and cleaning vinegar) before bed or first thing in the morning, ice usually comes away in a few wipes.
Don’t use hot air inside cars, if babies/dogs are with you. Antifreeze is lethal to pets & wildlife, so let your mechanic change it in an enclosed space. If you change it yourself, use a funnel (as with oil) and use sand or kitty litter to absorb spills (don’t mop).
