Sunset over our valley - at 8.30pm. It's definitely getting earlier and even though I'm hanging on in there full of hope that summer might really return, I can definitely feel the tiny changes in the season. Late summer has arrived, certainly around our way.
All our early summer veg has cropped (peas, potatoes, salad leaves, broad beans, strawberries etc) and the new flush of colour in the borders are the tones of reds, oranges and hot pinks that signal the gearing up for the final few weeks of summer.
And there are plenty of weeks left for the weather to sort itself out. Indian summers have been wonderful here for the past few years (as well as hot Springs) so hopefully late August and all of September will bring warm days to ripen the tomatoes and enjoy a few nights out under the stars.
Mostly though I enjoy this time of year because it heralds what comes next - autumn, my favourite season. I'm not ready for it yet but summer is definitely moving on. Our swifts have already flown back to sultrier climes and the housemartins in the eaves have hatched another brood.
The combines are in the fields further south in the county (no wheat here, too hilly) and the rowan tree outside my window is thick with berries.
And I don't know if it's just me but these changes have come so fast this year. Can we really be here already? Even I was surprised by the autumn catalogues that arrived at the weekend, but secretly thrilled!
So time to sit back, watch the shadows lengthen and the days shorten a little, but enjoy the glory days of summer - especially if the sun shines.
25 comments:
I completely agree... the evenings are getting a little chillier and my mind has turned to stocking up on wood and coal and i refuse to be caught out this year... I have even started writing lists of things that I need to make for Christmas presents... chutneys and wholegrain mustard etc.... I wonder if our winter will be as hard as last year?
must make curtains for the doors too! lol
Oh I am so glad you have said what I have been thinking - I am in South Staffs and I have felt very late Summer - ish.
Lynn.
oh I LOVE Autumn!! thick woolly tights and boots and crisp mornings with bright blue skies. Sigh.
Glad you have a wonderful time in Cornwall, i did miss you!
Your crops are looking good. I do love our meals at the moment, and am definitely benefiting from my 5 a day!x
Had to leave a comment after laughing out loud about your itch to paint all your furniture white - I am exactly the same! Slowly the whole house it paling up, although I quite like a small dose of dark to contrast. And gardening, and vintage - you talk my language! Look forward to following your lovely blog.
That was a really beautiful, poetic post, I enjoyed my read.
I agree, Autumn is the lovliest season, The colours, the scents, the tastes..... Frosty yet sunny Autumn mornings crunching through fallen leaves and coming home to cocoa and a snuggly sweater.
xx
Oh,I do hope we have an Indian Summer this year..we're not going on our hols until September! Yes,the nights a drawing in...as my mother used to say.
Bellaboo ;o)
I am secretly excited too about Autumn creeping in - I love the evenings drawing in and the crisper days. Your dahlia with the sweet peas looks lovely - the best crop of all even if you can't eat it!
Cathy X
Hey Steph you certainly painted a lovely picture of the seasons in your corner of the globe.
The days here are drawing out, getting longer, ever so slightly. We are having changeable weather, heralding Spring.
I too love Autumn, particularly after enduring a stinking, hot summer, but Spring and all the new growth, blossom, bees, scents, lambs has much to enjoy as well.
Hope you get your Indian Summer.
I always feel summer is coming to an end when the evening light starts to change. I guess when you have such a lovely garden as you do you spot the movement of time more through your plants.
It must be a county thing Steph as it still feels very much summer here. I love autumn, but I'm not looking forward to paying for yet more oil and the constant search for wood.
X
Autumn is my favourite too. Here it signals a respite from the heat of Summer but otherwise it's not visible - no falling leaves to pick up so no Autumn colours.
Cheers
Helen
Loving your sweet post today. Your end of summer garden looks lovely. Of course here in Australia we are counting the days until Spring arrives.
It does feel like summer is over Syeph. So little sun here and I am definitely looking forward to the arrival of late August as it generally is wonderful from then on. Autumn is my fave too x
It is exactly the same here Steph - weather or lack of as the case happens to be, green veg and hot red borders....I keep hoping we will have a late Summer if not for the children and the rest of the holidays, but I've felt Autumn in the air for a good two weeks now.....which of course I love, but it is far too soon - no campfires or sleeping out under the stars 'at all' this holiday - let's just hope we have an Indian Summer as you say.
Nina xxx
We have had such beastly hot and humid weather this year that I too am happily anticipating autumn. I love how the summer shifts at this time of year. So subtle.
I must say I have not enjoyed the summer as much this year as hayfever has struck me for the first time really, I've never felt so drained before so although I love the summer days, I long for the lowering of the pollen count!!
Also, autumn is my favourite season too, especially this year as it signals how close we are to our wedding in October :)
Exactly!
I felt a definite early autumn nip in the air when I left the house this morning. I always have mixed feelings this time of year. Sad that summer is ending (though I know early September can be beautiful) - yet loving autumn when it arrives with those gorgeous colours.
Louise x
Days are getting shorter in Holland as well. It won't be long before I go to work in the dark again. We haven't seen the sun lately either. Like you I am longing for the summer to return! Loved the photos of your garden. Those Dahlia's are Cosmea's are very pretty! We have a lot of the same flowers and vegetables in our garden!
Lieve groet, Madelief
this " summer " has been way too short . It seems as though the summer holidays aren't really summer at all .... we haven't had much sun the last few weeks up here anyway, no good for our green tomatoes
Your post is very evocative, and your so right we a slowly slipping into autunm, this morning on my early morning walk with my two little dogs , I smelt that autumn smell, slightly sweet smell of drying decay, do you know whaat i mean, also my two little dogs were helping them selfs to ripe black berries of the bushes! The Yorkshire dales are also beautiful in the autumn, but as i have become older i find it very melancholy season, the dying of another year,sigh... bestest wishes,Linda x
I can't believe we are already in August! Time flies. Lets hope there is a little bit of Summer left yet.........
summer has gone very quickly but we have been lucky with some very hot, sunny days.
cornwall looks glorious as usual.
lots of produce - lovely!
anniex
We've just got back from a weeks camping and have definately noticed the earlier evenings and also that late summer chill in the mornings.
Lets hope an indian summer is in the offing - I want ripe tomatoes!!
We just went for a little drive and I suddenly noticed just how autumnal the hedgerows are looking. Blackberries are ripening as well as the elderberries. I have mixed feeling because autumn is my favourite season too but we are going camping in a couple of weeks so I would be happy for the summer to return just a little bit. But then the weeks can roll on into autumn as far as I'm concerned.
I CANT WAIT! We love autumn in this house too. You are right about the little chill but also about the colours changing. My garden will be turning red soon, perfect!
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