THIS month has been remarkably mild so far with only the occasional frost.

The coldest night to date has been only just below freezing and even then the temperature rose to well above freezing fairly quickly after dawn.

Also, there hasn't been much rain since October which proved to be a thoroughly wet month. There have also been very few days where there have been the slightest of breezes. This rather unusual spate of milder weather has resulted in one of the best autumns for enjoying the countryside I can remember.

Every autumn, the majority of our broad-leaved trees shed their leaves. The trees do this to conserve energy and resources through the bleak conditions of winter.

The shorter daylight hours and more gloomy conditions mean that there is much less sunlight around for the leaves of these trees to capture.

This, added to the constant threat that sub-zero conditions will freeze the leaves damaging their internal structure, has led most broad -leaved trees in Britain to cut their losses, retract the valuable green chlorophyll from the leaves leaving their empty brown remains to float to the ground.

In recent years the harsher autumn conditions with some early severe frosts and high winds have forced the trees to hurry this process along resulting in a very poor autumnal show of colour.

This year, the milder conditions have allowed the trees to make their preparations for the coming winter at a much more gradual pace. The slower rate of extraction of chlorophyll from the leaves has produced leaves that slowly change through a variety of shades.

Gold, reds, russets and earthy yellows are now dappled across our countryside making some truly spectacular views.

My favourite place to take this in has to be the newly opened nature reserve of Hurcott Pool and Wood. Taking a stroll up from the car park you cannot help but stand in awe of nature's splendour.

Walking beneath sweet chestnuts, beeches, oaks and silver birch , you see the occasional pine adding a splash of bold green. Seeing this reflected in the still waters of Hurcott Pool is a breath-taking experience that lifted my spirits and filled me with a sense of well-being.

How long these beautiful landscapes will last I cannot tell but with the advent of strong winds or deep frosts the countryside will make its final step into winter and we will be left with our memories of this year's fantastic autumn landscapes.