We live at the top of the hill in Dingley Dell. The main village lies at the bottom of the hill. I regularly walk down to gather various bits of produce from the Supermercantile, or visit the Daily Scandal Offices, or pop in to see my favourite people in the Sisters of Mercy Charity shop. The walk generally takes me twenty minutes and on a clear day, a brisk walk does wonders for my elven thighs and tummy muscles. I always come home feeling I have had a great physical workout.As long as I haven't consumed a desperately high number of calories at the Buttercup Bistro along the way, I know my path to fitness has not been daunted.
This walk is beautiful,as there is such a feel of the country around on the way down the hill. With Autumn beginning to put in an appearance, the colours are bolder, the trees are changing,and there is a noise around of something changing from the wildlife. Horse chestnut trees are weighed low with spiky green globes,full to the brim with burnished nuts- the nuts we like to call conkers. They have not started to fall yet.When they do ,the path beside the tram stop will be littered with these swollen green gourds ,some even splitting to show their russet treasure within. There are also rowan trees close by,choking with bunches of deep red berries,ready to have their inner seed banks dispersed by the local travelling bird population.
At the top of the hill is our toadstool, lying towards the edge of a warren of toadstools, of various sizes and shapes. Our toadstool sits in Lobelia Drive, one of the most peaceful and truly desirable properties in Dingley Dell . When we have visitors we have to give them very clear instructions as to how to find us, as finding your way into and around the warren can be confusing and maybe a little daunting to the uninitiated. But when they find us,they are always delighted with the aura and demeanour of our toadstool haven.
There is much more to see on an autumn walk to the village. On the very clear days the bridge to Brigantia will dominate the view. You can see forever across the water, but in particular the small island beneath the bridge. A fortress has existed on the island since the 16th century, and although it has not been used as a strategic viewpoint for half a century, its battlements stand proudly in the morning light. Colonies of sea birds collect there now,living in peaceful co-existence with the proliferant lichen and a mass of blue and white wild flowers, somehow creeping diligently through the cracks in the walls,and hiding the man-made footpaths.
I love to let my gaze wander over there,and wonder how it must have been there, years, decades, centuries ago.
The mercantiles in Dingley Dell are generally small ones,apart from the supermercantile. Visitors here will find several fine eating houses,among a splatter of gift emporiums, beauty parlour,art galleries, hairdresser, antiques sellers, the Town House and the Lifeboat House.Our village has been remarkably well kept over the years,and we have many listed properties along the harbour walk.
The shore line itself lies parallel to the mercantile area so it is possible to stop at various High Street junctures to capture a bench and indulge your peepers with a long and wistful look at the Big Water straight ahead.. ........................
Life in Lobelia Drive has been remarkably quiet off late. Its residents seem to have gone somewhat to ground over the past few weeks. Maybe it is the lack of summer weather which has sent them scurrying indoors, or maybe they are all lying low before bursting forth to give us all some colourful autumnal food for thought. The Dagworts at number 10 are still keeping fit by running round the block for at least ten minutes. The Primpoles are still walking their abominable wildebeests at the crack of dawn,running behind them as the beasts drag them down the cul-de-sac. The Shilpits at number three are still looking shiftless and menacing,depending upon which one you see at any given time.
The Fearless Faery however has been behaving a little oddly,and I do carry some worries as to how she is faring. Last week ,when I was on my own, before bedtime, (Pendragon was at the hospital,working), there was a loud knock on the front door.
It was ten past the hour of ten,and Wally my cuckoo had just finished marking the hour with a "cuck" and an "oo",wwhen the rap on the door knocker occurred. I opened to find the Fearless Faery straddling the pathway,clutching a large grey parcel.
"This is for you", she said, smiling at me." It arrived today when you were out."
I was just starting to thank her,when I noticed her sudden lurch towards my doorstep rosebowl. Then the lurch backwards. And the lurch forwards again as she fell into me with the parcel. I grabbed the parcel,(thankfully not the Fearless Faery), and watched as she realigned herself into an upright and steady position.
"Sorry", she squeaked and smiled cheekily. Even the smile was unsteady.
There was no doubt about it. The Fearless Faery was undoubtedly three sheets to the wind. Fuddled, inebriated, intoxicated, soaked, extremely tipsy.
I just smiled back at the squidgy grin ,thanked her profusely,and said a fond goodnight. But when the door was closed a cold shiver of uneasiness ran down my spine .
There was nothing wrong with her enjoying herself,I hope she had a great evening out. But she had just returned home in her little red motor carriage,only ten minutes before. She had been driving in that condition.!!
I conveyed my troubles about this to Pendragon.He just shrugged his shoulders and told me not to worry.
But this morning ,he told me that he had noticed her car gone last night at around eleven of the clock,and all her toadstool lights were still on. The motor carriage was still missing at eight this morning,and the lights were still burning. Had she been out all night ? Was she alright ?
I have just heard her front door opening. Sounds like she is home. I must be vigilant as I would not want her to come to any grief. Or her little beast Daisy. I know she is lonely,but burning the candle at both ends is no salve for lack of friendship. What can I say to her ? It is a very awkward situation.
Were you one over the eight last night ? Are you getting drunk on a regular basis ? Did you know your lights were on all night when you were out on the razzle ? Are you drinking and driving ?
No, none of these will do.
I'll just ask how she is when I see her, and hope that all is well. For now............................
Life is its usual melee of ups and downs. I am sure you find it to be the same.
Take care my worthy papermates, you keep reading and I will keep writing. More tales of derring-do at the fifth toadstool from the left tomorrow. Till then, love and crispy green apples for all of you from Amarantha Willow, the whimsical Rainbow Faery.
