A COTSWOLD autumn is a time to cherish.

Our hills and valleys are a mass of rich colour as our woods and copses provide us with so many rewarding views.

In the Lighthouse a major route is being planned that will show Mrs Light the best her adopted county has to offer.

Coming from the edge of Hampstead Heath she has high standards in such matters and only the best will do.

We will head for Chepstow, via Tetbury and Wotton-under-Edge.

Then we will head for Monmouth driving up the Wye Valley.

Poet William Wordsworth called the river The Sylvan Wye adding it was ‘a wanderer through the woods’.

This stunning valley takes us past Tinten Abbey, a marvellous sight at any time, but in autumn it will be magical.

There must be many places in Monmouth for a pleasant lunch before we take the A4316 through the Forest of Dean to the A40 to Huntley and home, diverting from Birdlip through Miserden and Sapperton.

If you have favourite autumn landscapes readers, please let me know. Such snatched experiences keep winter at bay and must be made the most of.

The clocks go back far too soon and ‘the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ is gone all too soon.

One of the memories of childhood is moving from the time of conkers to the opportunity of scuffing through the leaves on the way to school. There were so many it was easy to collect them for the November 5 bonfire, another seasonal landmark.

This all shows how valuable the season are, bringing change and with it so many different experiences.

A few fine days to enjoy them is all we ask, and I hope the young amongst us do, putting aside their electronic games, iPads and smart phones and getting out and about.

Leave these electronic devices for a day or two and look at the real world. It is a wonderful one.