Season of Mists

November brings the first chill of winter after a sunny and mellow October. 'Aeron' means berries, or fruitfulness, and the bushes here are laden with rosy berries. If the old saying is true, our holly trees more red than green, are a sign of a hard winter. The sunny autumnal scene of Aberaeron shows Carno, the big white house in the centre of the picture.

Meantime visitors can make the most of the local delights. Farmers Markets continue through the year and the Mid Wales Beer Festival at Llanwrtyd Wells is held 17th-26th November. The free houses in the smallest town in Britain offers 60 different real ales and specialist bottled beers. Related events include the Real Ale Ramble (25th & 26th November), with a choice of 10, 15 or 25 mile walks, free beer at each checkpoint! The Real Ale Wobble, the mountain bike version, is held 18th & 19th November.

There are so many beautiful walks in Wales. Near Aberaeron in Cors Caron, Tregaron Bog, the board walks have been recently installed by the Countryside Council of Wales. The raised bog is one of the first National Nature Reserves to protects its rich flora and fauna, and has received international status in recognition of its importance as a wetland site.

The Cambrian Mountains have magnificent walking terrain. In fact around 1965 the area was about to be given National Park status until the then Secretary of State rejected the plan in 1973, leaving one of the finest landscapes in Wales completely unprotected. However, last year the Cambrian Mountain Society was formed with Iolo Williams, Naturalist and Broadcaster, as its President.

There is still a chance to see the Dylan Thomas Festival, Swansea, which runs until the 9th November. The life and works of the Welsh Poet are celebrated in this annual event at the Dylan Thomas Centre. Talks, exhibitions and celebrity guest appearances will feature. www.dylanthomas.com

A recent book has been launched at the Drwm in the National Library, Aberystwyth. 'Walking to Greenham' by Ann Pettitt tells the tale of how one woman in Wales helped encourage the birth of Glasnost (and was name checked by Gorbachev himself). In August 1981 Ann Pettitt, a mother of three and a rural smallholder, walked with three like-minded women the 120 miles from Cardiff to Greenham. This was the beginning of the famouse Greenham Common Peace Camp, protesting against NATO's decision to site cruise missiles at Greenham. The Movement endured for 20 years and tells the story of one of history's iconic expressions of grass roots political will. Copies are available in bookshops and can be bought online at www.honno.co.uk

The big crane (craen mawr) arrived on cue some weeks ago to lift the sailing boats out of the harbour. It does not seem that long ago it was lifting them in! Seeing the boats lined up in front of the harbourside Yacht Club brings to mind winter walks when the chill wind plays a tune through the rigging. A special pleasure on a crisp and sunny morning!