A few weekends ago I went blackberry picking. They were huge, bursting with juice that ran down my fingers and dripped from the colander I was using to put them in. I sneaked a few while picking them – of course you have to run quality control – and they were delicious, sweet and perfectly ripe.

I’ve written before about the joy of picking berries – the methodical, absorbing task which keeps you busy outside on a warm summer evening. I enjoy the picking so much I often create problems for myself, as I end up with a bountiful crop of more fruit than I know what to do with. This time I couldn’t face making any more jam, which while joyful is quite an effortful task. Instead I picked just enough blackberries for a crumble, delicious with an apple added in to add a little extra sweetness.

Many people have suggested that the blackberries ripened earlier this year after warmer weather. It’s true that I found myself collecting them sooner than I usually would have – normally I associate blackberry picking with the back-to-school feeling of September.

Now that back-to-school feeling is here, I’m looking forward to the other benefits of autumn, like stewed apples - on their own or in crumbles and pies. And homemade soups - a friend recently gave me a leek and potato recipe which I couldn’t face trying out while the weather was still warm.

Of course, sometimes you don’t have the time or energy to go fruit picking or cut up apples or make soup. There are other things to look forward to which don’t require as much time or effort, like the crisp air of an autumn morning, or the crunch of leaves underfoot as they begin to fall. I love to watch the trees as they change, spreading a riot of colour across my local woodland, and then opening up the view to the fields beyond as they begin to fall.