Autumn (Fall) in the UK

[Neil955i]

Nice ride out this morning to see the fallen leaves and those remaining in all their russet and golden glory on the few trees which haven't yet shed them.  Stopped on the way home to take this so I could share with you one of the lovely thatched roof cottages that we have locally:



Shame about the hedge which obscures the rest of the building.

A rare dry day here lately with temperature at 12C for the duration of the ride - my rule of thumb is that anything over 10C is a go for any ride up to a couple of hours.  Not as warm as Ruffus's Croatian island adventure, but you have to take what you can get!  At least we've been spared any frosts thus far.

[Ruffus]

Love your island, been there several times, leisure and business. BUT too wet for me and unpredictable. 👍🛴

[Neil955i]

You’re not wrong Ruffus!

[Iahawk]

beautiful day for a ride!

[Stig / Major Tom]

Great pic Neil!
Watched a guy on TV working on a thatched roof. He was cutting and shaping curves and such.
Impressive!
The material is a reed? Still found in the U.K. - or has to be imported?
Is it a good insulator? Have a long life?

Stig

[Neil955i]

Yes, some sort of straw byproduct Stig so readily available here.  Google tells me: Thatched roofs were the primary roofing material in Britain for over 1,500 years. The Normans introduced thatching to the British Isles in the 11th century, and it became the standard roofing method. Thatched roofs were used on family homes, castles, churches, and university buildings.

As for longevity, I asked the guy doing one here in the village one time and he said this was last thatched 40 years ago!  From staying under one on holiday as a child I can vouch for the waterproof qualities and also the fact that it's home to almost every species of spider in the UK!