The Lounge's Autumn Escape

[Britwitch]

The air now is crisp and fresh. All around the trees are changing from their verdant summery colours to more earthy toned apparel. There is mist in the morning, sometimes a hint of frost. The evenings are clear and bright but the fire helps keep the chill away.

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Welcome to the Lounge’s Autumn Escape. A camp in the woods, with a lake nearby pretty enough to inspire even the most stubborn of muses along with cabins for those that wish to stay and tents for the extra brave.

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The campfire is always burning and all are welcome here.

Toast a marshmallow or two or curl up with a blanket under the stars.

All the management want is that you relax and enjoy yourself.

Come, enjoy Autumn in all its glory, with friends….

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[Britwitch]

After checking that Munroe is happily settled in the considerably more rustic setting, Brit settles on a chair to look out over the forest with a smile. A hot chocolate steaming in her hands.

Yes, this will do I think...

 

[DesEsseintes]

This is beautiful, Brit! I love the sharp snap of the leaves underfoot, and the applewood smoke faintly scenting the cabin. I'm almost tempted to go for a mulled wine, but it is too warm here currently for that. Perhaps a Bellini, just to make me imagine we are in an Indian summer.

And is that a little rowing boat I spy at the end of the jetty? For expeditions to the island? I say!

 

[Britwitch]

smiles happily

Thrilled that you like it! Hopefully others will too!

she sips her warm drink with a satisfied sigh

Yes, many new adventures to be had here, me thinks.

 

[DesEsseintes]

I'm going to collect some conkers, and maybe some sweet chestnuts for the fire. And I'm pretty sure I saw some elderberries and blackberries up towards the beech trees. It's like a wild supermarket round here. Can I get you anything, Brit, while I'm out?

 

[Essie1]

Totters out to the end of the jetty and sits down on the edge, feet dabbling in the water. Monroe wanders out with a blanket and a tray containing a hot chocolate with lashings of cream and chocolate shavings, and a little red velvet cupcake with 1 burning candle.

So many things to wish for, Monroe. Let's see....

Holding the cupcake cupped in both hands, staring into the flame then closing eyes, turning head up to the starry night and sending wish skywards, before gently blowing out the candle.

And now we wait, Monroe. Now we wait...

 

[BornYesterday]

Sounds lovely. I wish it was more autumn-like here. 88 degrees yesterday and ridiculously humid; not very conducive to feeling seasonal. Soon, I hope.

 

[Britwitch]

Takes a notepad with her to sit on a conveniently placed bench near the water's edge.

Many happy returns, lovely!

Smiles over at the birthday girl.

 

[StarryEyed665]

Walks in briskly, wrapping tightly around her neck her still unfinished Gryffindor scarf, carrying presents in one hand, and a bag of marshmallows in the other. Places these and this next to Essie's body, giving her a hug, before scanning her surroundings with an approving grin on her face.

I say, this is magnificent, Brit! Thank you for unveiling another one of your wonderful creations for us all to enjoy <3

(And lovely September challenge, too! Though the fact that it is September is terrifying . . . maybe I'll manage to have a go at it this time!)

 

[DesEsseintes]

Yes, a happy birthday to Essie, and a bottle of sparkling to celebrate.

I had a particularly autumnal High Tea/supper tonight, inspired by this place - a toasted muffin with Gentlemen's Relish, two crumpets with scrambled egg and smoked salmon, and finally a croissant filled with creme de marrons. I am now about to roast some chestnuts on the fire. Would anyone care to join me by the dying embers?

<Puts Strauss' Four Last Songs on the gramophone, wraps dressing gown a little tighter against the sudden night-breeze, and gazes into the fire.>

 

[Britwitch]

looks up from where she had dozed off and grins sleepily

Well, thanks very much! Have had a fair amount of positive feedback about the challenge thread so I am hoping for lots of wonderful things to read in the coming weeks.
There have been amazing pieces in recent months.

 

[Essie1]

Blearily opens eyes, squeaks delightedly at new bear chums, hugs them close (with Ted's permission) and goes back to sleep, dreaming of cracking open her sparkling present in her new wine glass and waltzing the night away

 

[prettyserpentine]

walks over crackling leaves, hugging an old book close, wearing fingerless gloves and a matching scarf and settling into a nicely carved tree stump

Well, Brit my dear, you've done it again.

Who needs to search for inspiration when I have a friend like you.

puts glasses on and opens book

 

[Britwitch]

Aww, thanks lovely.

beams contentedly, heading out of the main lodge with a shawl around her shoulders and a mug of tea in her hand

My bed calls after a horrendous night's sleep last night and so I think one of the nearby cabins will be the perfect place to crash out. Peaceful and pretty.

raises her mug in a toast

But, here's to all the inspiration we can get! G'night, lovely!

heads off down the path and towards the trees and the cabins hidden amongst them

 

[TheAntiRebel]

dives into the lake at full sprint and decides to swim to the other side and back

ooops, wallet, cell phone still in pocket, shoes still on. Welp, can't stop now.

 

[Essie1]

Peers around, sees nobody about. Standing up and stretching in the crisp autumn air, takes a deep breath in and enjoys the smells of a northern autumn.

Hmmm.... nobody about..... he he he he he...

After hiding the bears under the blanket, and taking another swig from her birthday bottle, strips down to her birthday suit and does a neat dive into the cold water from off the jetty, gasping and laughing giddily after breaking the surface then flipping onto back and floating lazily along

Skinny dipping in a pristine lake, gorgeous autumnal colours and if I see rightly, a rather large hot chocolate waiting by the campfire for afters with an even larger bag of marshmallows...

 

[Britwitch]

having found a suitable spot, Brit sets about laying and lighting a camp fire
far enough from the cabins to make sure those staying inside won't be disturbed by laughter or conversation but close enough to the lodge that Munroe can be easily visited

soon flames dance and flicker and warm the air while Brit drags some large logs around in a rather vague circle

nodding, she heads to the lodge to pick up blankets and a couple of tarpaulins, the blankets are left on some of the logs while the tarps are strung up in some nearby trees to create a small tented area to escape to, should the weather change suddenly

 

[StarryEyed665]

In need of some warmth after a late shower, heads towards the inviting flames of the campfire and claims a seat on one of the logs, snuggling up inside a blanket, wondering if she will be joined anytime soon.

 

[Essie1]

A rogue marshmallow flies out from some nearby trees to ping Starry in the shoulder, followed by a cheeky giggle...

 

[StarryEyed665]

Squeals in surprise, managing to catch the marshmallow before it falls on the ground. Looks suspiciously behind her before taking a cautious bite.

I definitely don't recognise that impish giggle [size=-2]essiegodammitwhereareyou[/size] but if you would keep 'em coming I would appreciate it greatly, thank you.

 

[fr33ks33k]

*His duster coat drags against the fallen leaves as he approaches. In one hand is a notebook, hand-bound with deep crimson covers. In the other is a squat and blocky bottle. The cork is made from the wood of an ash tree and the neck of the bottle has a thin noose around it. As he sits at the log circle opposite Starry, the engraved lettering on the bottle reads Yggdrasil Aged Bourbon Whiskey aged in barrels made from the World Tree and blended with mead from Odin's private reserve. He smiles at Starry, glancing about at hearing rustling in the trees. The bottle rests at his side while he opens his notebook and begins writing.*

 

[StarryEyed665]

Smiles back at him, warming hands over the flames.

Let me know if you fancy a marshmallow with your whiskey. She keeps lobbing them at various parts of my body. Beautiful notebook, by the way!

 

[fr33ks33k]

*Looks up absently from his writing, a soft grin crossing his lips at her compliment*

Thank you. It was quite the labor of love. Hmm...I don't know that marshmallows and whiskey go together, but thanks anyway.

*Mention of the deep amber liquid draws his attention and he uncorks the bottle, taking a slow drink and enjoying the warmth as it spreads from throat to chest and settles at the pit of his stomach.*

I'm sure she'll run out of ammo eventually. Or get cold and come sit by the fire.

*A deep chuckle echoes into the forest as he returns the cork to his bottle and then turns back to his writing.*

 

[Essie1]

Whistling innocently, chocolate smudges on lips and crumpled marshmallow packet sticking out of back pocket, comes and sits by fire dressed in woolly beanie, hand-knit Aran sweater, jeans and hiking boots.

I don't think I have ever sat by a campfire before. Or toasted marshmallows. Living in a country where they have total fire bans, kind of puts the kibosh on that kind of behaviour.

Picks up long twig, skewers marshmallow and sticks it in the fire, waiting eagerly to see what happens.

 

[prettyserpentine]

walks over the crackling leaves as quietly as possible, behind the dark and brooding man, quelling the urge to peek over his shoulder and see what wonders he is writing

Good day everyone. I hope you had a nice birthday, Essie.

takes a seat in a carved log by the fire, a steaming up of tea in hand, a book creaking open in my lap

I can't tell you how nice it is to actually have time to visit in here today.

sips coffee, relishes the smell of the mead

It's been too long since I had mead... Not since Denmark...