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Autumn – flaming leaves and the cries of geese

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I took this photograph with the sound of thunder rumbling over my shoulder, and bonfire smoke whisping through the trees in the distance. Minutes later the rain came, and has now drifted on.

It is this changeable time of year – October, when the trees in the last of their leaves, are so vivid, and the skies filled with the sounds of restless birds.

I think everything must be a little confused this year for it is still warm, far warmer than usual. I can’t remember when we last reached October in our t-shirts without the heating on, and no need of it. I do realise that just saying that marks us out as pathetic, for in the UK there are those who don’t turn their heating on all year. Some for financial reasons. Some to support Ukraine. Some to save the planet. I’ll let you know how far we get.

Meanwhile, autumn parades in front of us. It is beautiful – like a vanishing gift we can’t hold on to. And it happens at a time of each tree’s choosing. When the branches decide they are ready they begin to change out of their greens, until suddenly, there the whole stands, free to view, flourishing its colour as we hurry beneath, braced for the grey of winter.

It’s best to look up.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

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The Narrow Smile by Peter Mayne

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I’ve loved every page of this book, a review copy from Eland.

I have no special knowledge of the North-West Frontier, nor of the author, Peter Mayne, but I do enjoy travel – the kind of travel that takes you somewhere slowly. This book is full of that sort of travel, and I’ve been able to join in without setting foot outside the front door.

The journey itself is not an easy one. Peter Mayne is travelling around the North-West Frontier visiting old friends from the various tribes and embassies in the region, and exploring, or trying to explore, the question of Pashtunistan. It is a subject as elusive as the permits he needs, but even while waiting for them to be granted he drags us around with him, trailing us from heat to shade, from sweaty office to sweaty room, chatting with strangers, officials, and staff, and round and round with himself. Then suddenly he’s off, back to the mountains, and dining with soldiers.

The journey and the writing are paired perfectly. The first almost impossible, the other light as air as it lifts us from the fan-whirring heat of a place, to the languid shade of afternoon tea in the garden of a British diplomat, or on to the bouncing squash of bodies in a crowded bus. And its these bodies, these characters, and their words that catch the violence of life in their lands – the feuds, the friendships, the frustrations – the layers revealed with the narrowest of smiles.

It’s quite a journey.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

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The way art can make you look a little longer

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I love looking at art, and so enjoy visiting the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham. I drop in every so often, and when I do I’m never looking for anything in particular … just looking.

The recent surprise was the Surrey Artist of the Year Competition (SAOY 23). I hadn’t realised that it was on, so it was an extra bonus to find the gallery full of especially selected arts and crafts, all chosen by the public. Apparently nominations are put forward to the gallery by those who have visited artists and creators during the Surrey Open Studios in June.

It was such a treat to walk around the selection. The hard part was trying to decide who to write on the slip of paper as our choice for overall winner. We each chose differently and I kept changing my mind every two steps. How do you choose? The colours, the images, the ideas, the skill, the precision, the freedom – the art in it all. The glass in the photograph, by Joanna Lloyd, happened to be catching the light as I walked past.

Midday on 27 October is the last day for the public to vote.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023