Crumbs to Crunch

We are firmly in autumn territory now, and so it's time for some autumn baking! Here at Crumbs to Crunch, we've already been bowled over by autumn in England and Scotland , but there's nothing quite like autumn in Japan. It's one of the most beautiful times of year to see the country, and people come in their hordes to see the stunning autumn trees. I was lucky to explore the colours in Nihonmatsu, a city in Fukushima prefecture. In Nihonmatsu they have a yearly chrysanthemum doll festival, during which local gardeners grow the beautiful flowers onto the bodies of historical figures. After looking round the fantastic displays, we climbed to the top of the hill where the remains of Nihonmatsu castle are. It was a spectacular walk, with some of the finest trees that I have ever seen. After a slightly blustery day, nothing is better than going home and chowing down on some cookies. I decided to give my cookies an autumnal twist. Persimmons are the autum...

Autumn is upon us once again. Last year Crumbs to Crunch was delighted by the autumnal colours of Winkworth Arboretum . This year I witnessed this gorgeous season at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh . It is hard to believe that this 70 acre haven is nestled in a city. What's more, it's free so everyone can enjoy the jewels of Autumn. As I wandered through the gardens, I passed through Scottish heathland, a peaceful Chinese water garden and towering trees from North America. They were all lovely but the trees stole the show with their vibrant yellows, reds and oranges. The glasshouses are also well worth a visit. For a small fee, I toured the Victorian greenhouses to see many wonders from delicate orchids to sinister Venus Fly traps.  No day out is complete without a trip to the tea rooms! I sampled a gorgeous double chocolate shortbread slice. Scotland is the home of shortbread after all and it did not disappoint! Whilst sipping my Lady Grey tea...

As was fairly obvious in my recent post about the beginning of autumn, I can feel a bit negative about the start of the colder months. However recently I've been reconnecting with the outdoors, and I have to admit that autumn sure is beautiful. Winkworth Arboretum is probably the best place to see those autumn colours. Near Guildford in Surrey, this beautiful collection of trees really comes into its own in autumn. The grounds cover a hillside, so you can find yourself winding down a secluded pathway, hidden beneath a beautiful orange canopy. The maple trees are particularly beautiful at the moment, and their stark red colour really makes the landscape stunning. There are plenty of secret corners and good trees to climb! And when you've finished your leisurely walk, there's always time to pop into the tearoom next to the wigwam for a scone or two... Another place to see those autumn colours is Windsor Great Park. At a weekend, this park has such a lovely ...