Spectacular autumn for Nieu-Bethesda

NIEU-BETHESDA NEWS - A few days ago, it appeared that this year's Autumn would be painted in washy watercolour, and residents surmised that the lack of exuberance shown by the Lombardi Poplars, American Ashes and Honey Locusts was due to the drought or perhaps the warm weather.-

Last week saw a good downpour, some nitrogen fixing hail and a bit of a cold snap. Perhaps the trees were shocked out of their apathy, or maybe their time had simply come, but over the weekend, the village has been transformed into an expressionist painting of rich opulence, deep colour and magnificent texture.

The best time to photograph the autumnal colours is between 17:00 and 18:30 when the late light shafts obliquely from the west literally lighting a trillion leaves from behind. It is a bonus if a car drives past as dust and motes add to the prettiest of pictures. A walk between the village and the padstal will gift the viewer with vistas of Oom Kleintjie Pienaar's sheep and quince pickers in the fields flanking the road.

The leaves will not last long as wind and expected cold will shock them from their lofty spires.