Fallen leaves: questions and Band 8 answers

Yes, I really love it. There's something quite therapeutic about watching the colours change and seeing golden leaves scatter across the ground. In my local park, the footpaths look gorgeous around October, and I always take a stroll through just to hear the gentle crunch underfoot.

Well, most homeowners rake them up from their front gardens and put them into green waste bins. The local council also sends street sweepers to clear the pavements, mainly because wet leaves can get dangerously slippery for pedestrians on rainy mornings.

I certainly did. My brother and I used to sweep them into massive piles in our back garden and then take turns diving right into the middle. Looking back, it was a bit messy and our mum wasn't thrilled about the muddy clothes, but it was great fun.

To be honest, only back in primary school. I remember pressing bright red maple leaves inside thick heavy books to dry them out, and then sticking them onto card to make autumn greetings cards for my grandparents.

I suppose I'm more drawn to the autumn shades. Vibrant greens in summer are lovely, of course, but the warm blend of amber, bronze, and crimson just gives the whole neighbourhood a cosy, distinct atmosphere for a few weeks.