Wooden shutters warped with age creaked and shook with each gust of wind. Warmed and cooled by the summers and winters they no longer shut completely and through the gaps between the slats, the chill crept in unannounced. Susurrous and crafty, seeking out an uncovered neck here, fingers resting on a book there, gleefully raising goosebumps and shivers as it moved from room to room.

The stream below the garden swept small rocks and broken branches downstream as it hurried to catch up with the wind blowing south. Rushes bent under the weight of raindrops bowing their velvet water-soaked heads in obeisance to the unseasonal winter storm.?

Down in the valley the thunderous roar of the waterfall, released from its usual gentleness, showed its true colours as it splashed and bounced off the boulders below, raising a cloud of mist so fine its gossamer edges lace-like hung in the air like the veil of a shy maiden caught in the moment of surprise as it lifted off her glowing face raised to the sky.