November story

November always feels like the quiet chapter in a story where everything slows down and the days grow softer around the edges.

Inspiration seems to hide in the smallest things like the gentle drift of steam from a morning cup of coffee, the sweet scent of an autumn candle and the crunch of leaves along a well-loved path.

This month, I’m gathering little moments that make the season feel like home. I’ll share some of my favourite local walks, our family’s cosy autumn rituals, and glimpses from the Harvest Festival, a celebration that always brings a sense of togetherness and gratitude for the season.

So come with me through these slower days where every turn of the season feels like a new page waiting to be read. Slow Walks, Soft Days Autumn drifts gently through Ireland, wrapping the hills in golden light and turning every path into a cosy story.

When autumn settles over the Bundoran coast, a short drive brings you to the river walk in Donegal Town, a place where I love to visit when I need to pause. It’s one of those walks that asks you to slow down, breathe deeply, and notice how quietly beautiful the world can be. The gentle flow of water and the rustle of amber leaves make it easy to forget everything else for a while and just drift through the calm of the season. After the walk, I love to wander through town, browsing a charming local bookshop with its beautiful selection of children’s stories or finding my way into a cosy café where the scent of coffee and sweet apple pie seems to make time stand still.

If you’re in the mood for a little adventure, make your way to the Benbulben Forest Walk, where the path winds beneath the shadow of that iconic flat-topped mountain that once inspired W.B. Yeats.

Find a quiet spot along the trail, sit for a moment, and read Yeats’ “The Lake Isle of Innisfree.” Its gentle rhythm and longing for peace perfectly echo the stillness of the forest and the soft hush of the autumn air, a reminder of how nature can slow our thoughts and fill them with calm.

As Yeats wrote, “And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow.” Those words seem to linger in the breeze, a quiet reminder of how nature can calm the heart and awaken the imagination.

Closer to home, one of my favourite places to end the day is the Bundoran Cliff Walk, just around the corner from where I live. My daughter, our Jack Russel puppy, and I often follow the trail as the ocean stretches endlessly beside us, waves rolling and crashing like a song. We often pause to watch the sun sink into the water, painting the horizon in soft golds and pinks. It’s in those quiet, wind-swept moments that I feel most at peace, grateful for this wild stretch of coastline we call home, and for the simple joy of sharing it with the ones I love.

Cosy Rituals

When the sea winds fade and the evening draws in, our thoughts drift naturally toward home. Soft light, shared laughter, and the small rituals that make the season feel whole.

I love curling up with a good book, soft jazz playing in the background, and a cup of jasmine green tea beside me. It’s such a simple little pleasure, but it always makes the day feel calm and full. This November, my daughter and I spent our evenings reading 'A Bear Called Paddington' by Michael Bond, a story filled with warmth, humour, and that unmistakable touch of wonder that only a small bear from Darkest Peru can bring. It was the perfect companion for our slow autumn evenings, reminding us how kindness, curiosity, and a little bit of marmalade can turn the simplest moments into something special. Each chapter felt like a celebration of imagination and the joy of reading together, a reminder of how stories can fill a home with laughter and love.

If your little readers would like to share their love of stories too, come and join our Book Club Friends — a cosy space for book chats and imagination. This January, we’ll be exploring the world of Michael Bond — and, of course, the little bear with a big heart and a suitcase full of surprises.

On the weekends, our family has a little tradition of preparing afternoon tea together, filling the table with homemade treats and sweet laughter. This season, we chose the charming Paddington’s Cookery Book as our guide, trying to perfect the ultimate autumn recipe — a delicious apple crumble. Warm from the oven filling the kitchen with the comforting scent of baked apples and cinnamon. There’s something so joyful about baking side by side, following recipes that feel like stories. Later, we light the fire, gather under a blanket, and end the day with a family film — the perfect way to linger in the soft glow of a slow Sunday.

For the past few years, we’ve also made it a tradition to visit the Harvest Festival in Florence Court, Co. Fermanagh, a lovely autumn event that always feels like stepping into a storybook. The air is filled with the scent of freshly baked bread, children’s laughter drifts through the crisp air, and every stall overflows with local crafts, pumpkins, and baskets of apples. There’s live music, friendly faces, and that unmistakable warmth of community that makes you want to linger just a little longer. It’s the kind of day that captures everything I love about autumn, simple joys, shared moments, and the golden glow of the season gathered in one beautiful place. Moments like these remind me that the simplest rituals often hold the deepest kind of joy.

There’s something deeply inspiring about the slower pace of autumn, the way the days invite us to pause, look closer, and find beauty in the simple things. Between the golden walks, the glow of candlelight, and the long, cosy evenings at home, there’s so much space for creativity to unfold naturally.

These quiet moments often spark new ideas, whether it’s a story taking shape, a recipe to try, or plans for our next little adventure together. From my little corner by the sea, may we keep finding inspiration in slow days, soft light, and the gentle rhythm of life unfolding.

I’d love to hear what’s bringing warmth to your November days. Do you and your little ones have favourite stories, seasonal bakes, or cosy rituals you return to each year? Share them in the comments on my Instagram or tag me on social media — I always enjoy seeing the little moments that make this season feel special. Let’s celebrate the calm, the creativity, and the quiet joy of autumn together.