I walked just over 4 miles on a lovely autumn day. Blue sky and sun to start, mackerel cloud appearing, followed by darker cumulus hinting at showers later. The colour at this time of year are well worth getting out for . The deciduous trees carry various shades of yellow, orange red and brown in contrast to the dark greens of the conifers. Dark green moss and grey- green lichen cling to the silver birches. Fly agaric toadstools, honeysuckle, hawthorn and rowan bring splashes of red. By the river I spotted a grey heron on the opposite bank. A bird of prey (probably a sparrowhawk) landed on a dead tree. A female goosander took to the air from the middle of the river, triggering the heron to take to the wing. In the distance were the peaks of Bennachie (Mither Tap, Oxen Craig, Watch Craig and Hermit Seat) silhouetted against the northern sky, with flat topped Millstone Hill nearby. I am glad I made the effort to go out today.