Enjoy autumn

Autumn is a temporal landmark – something that changes how we see time. It makes us more motivated to take on new challenges and enjoy the bounty of the season. Our guide offers plenty of ways to enjoy your days.

As dark nights set in it’s easy to become a couch potato when in fact we should keep moving. The latest new sports are pickleball and padel. The USA born game of pickleball has been around since the 60s but it’s catching on here and can be played indoors or outside.

Originating in Mexico and a favourite of ex Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, padel is played indoors or outdoors at a faster pace than pickleball.

Both padel and pickleball can be played as singles or doubles matches so take your mates or go alone and make friends.

Game4Padel has three outdoor courts at Liverpool Cricket Club. You’ll pay for games but padels are free.

Amanda Vernon (pictured below) played tennis but has taken up pickleball since developing osteoarthritis in her knees. She invited the UK director of Pickleball England, to run a taster session for her local Nifty Fifties group and the U3A group in Aughton, West Lancashire. It took off.

“Because it’s played with an aerated plastic ball it doesn’t seem to affect my body in the same way as tennis,” says Amanda.

“It’s really easy to pick up and there are pickleball festivals and clubs who mix together.”

• Visit pickleballengland.org and click on the Taster Session tab or the Club Locator page.

Celeb watch - comedian Jason Manford has launched a Facebook campaign to get schools involved in padel. www.facebook.com/ JasonManford

Step up

Download the Sport England Couch to 5K app in association with the BBC. Couch to 5K is a running plan for absolute beginners, developed by new runner Josh Clark to help his mum. The plan involves three runs a week with a day of rest in between, and a different schedule for each of the nine weeks. Visit: bbc.co.uk

Find a festival

Oktoberfest, Day of the Dead and Halloween will all be celebrated with events. Or create your own gathering with food to match the occasion.

Fruity adventures

Go fruit picking, scavenger hunting or to visit an orchard day at your local nature reserve or farm. National Trust has events: nationaltrust.org.uk

Dress your home

Make informal displays with fallen leaves and wood. Pinterest has some great ideas and you don’t have to be an interior designer to bring the outside in. Visit: pinterest.co.uk

Cosy up

The Danish call it hygge and claim you can’t see it, only feel it. Curling up by candlelight in front of a fire with a hot drink and a book is as close as it gets. Swap books with friends or at your local supermarket or community centre.