Saturday 28 August 2010

Summer's End

Almost over then. Another summer that never was. It seems an eternity since we last enjoyed a weekend lunch in the garden or sat on the patio steps late on a balmy evening. I think the last really decent spell we had was early July and thankfully those few good days in Cornwall. Since then there's been the occasional warm day but mostly we have dodged relentless heavy downpours and this holiday weekend is no different.
We should be away in our caravan really, enjoying a weekend with our dearest friends but they are all ill with a rotten virus and so we've postponed until September when maybe an Indian summer will appear.
I'm not too sad about missing our trip because it has rained and rained and we've had what I'd class a pretty perfect weekend so far. I enjoy life's simple pleasures so a homemade curry and a new magazine in front of Gardener's World last night was bliss.
Today I've browsed the Collector's Market (under a brolly but I did find this colourful saucepan and a lovely old whisk) while the boys went swimming. Back at home it's been an afternoon of colouring books, the final Test Match on the radio, Airfix models and a few favourite videos. Tomorrow we will toast the change of seasons with our first Sunday roast for months with Grandma for company and an apple & blackberry crumble to share.

Who knows what we'll get up to on Monday but autumn preparations are on my list. New curtains to be made and some jam and jelly making perhaps.
I love it when the calendar flicks over at the end of August; very relieved to see the back of a disappointing, dreary month. I'm sad for the boys having to say goodbye to the holidays, but we're entering the best time of year now. We won't be into autumn proper for a while but meanwhile we will revel in this golden, harvest time. Whatever the weather, September will bring a change of season and all its joys.

:: Bountiful hedgerows
:: Misty mornings
:: Golden afternoons
:: Harvest suppers
:: The first English apples
:: Michaelmas daisies
:: Extra layers
:: Blankets on the bed

Just a few simple pleasures that make me smile.

32 comments:

Pea Green Kitty said...

It is a dissapointment isn't it, Although I do look forward to the Autumn time, it is by far my most favoured season.
x

...Nina Nixon... said...

We've started lighting fires and wrapping up warm - I know it's still August, but my body is telling me it's Autumn.

I love your flea market finds - enjoy your roast and apple pie.

Nina xxx

Pink Milk said...

Lovely post but I am definitely holding out for an Indian Summer!

Love your sunny pan!

Hx

Knittings Nice! said...

What a lovely worded posting....erm autumn, well I will be away to some lovely sunshine soon to the med...can hardly wait. Then back to autumn my favourite time of the year. Doing garden rhubarb and apople crumble for pudding tomorrow, lovely.

Rose H (UK) said...

Love the post. Those crotchet blankets look so snuggly warm - just right for Autumn. (Also my favourite time of year).

loveandlilac said...

We Brits always approach summer with such high hopes (a bit like the World Cup) only to see them dashed! I always get the blues in August but then September comes along and I remember what a gorgeous month it is! Enjoy the holiday weekend whatever the weather.

Louise x

bellaboo said...

We're off on our hols in September..so it's GOT to be nice!

Bellaboo ;o)

Julie said...

Hi
Just thought I'd drop in and say hello.
Just found your blog and love it.
My favourite time of the year is also Autumn and Spring..

Now going to add you to my blog list. x

busybusybeejay said...

We were in St Petersburg a couple of years ago and the guide said about their summer was "9 months of anticipation and then 3 months of disappointment".I think that could be applied to our summers now!It's definitely crumble time.We are having blackcurrant crumble tomorrow when our D,SIL and 2 granddaughters come for lunch plus roast beef,roast potatoes and of course Yorkshire puddings.

Katy Noelle said...

Oh, dear, we've had gorgeous weather and a strange conjunction of events keeping us from enjoying it properly. Our "summer that never was" is more from busyness. blah! I was, honestly, depressed last week but, like you, I think that I need to let it go and turn the calendar. I've been anticipating quiet and mellow late summer, too. It's my very favorite month. I hope that you (and we) have a smooth and pleasant transition back into "regular life"!

Love, Katy xo

LissyLou said...

i do love Autumn, my fave month along with the spring xx

Tinyholder said...

I walk to work everyday and I have to say it has only really rained in August, it's been rain-free and hot from April to July. Thinking about it, August has been a washout for the last few years and summers have been much earlier. I do think we brits moan and moan about rain, but it's good for he crops and the garden I say! I too love Autumn - I love the game season and the wonderful autumn squashes, snuggling by the fire and cosying up. :-)

I have a big giveaway going on over on my blog, feel free to enter. :-)

Sian x

Jacquie said...

Thanks for listing some of the things to savour in Autumn.I'm struggling to keep up my spirits now the days are getting shorter.
I'm having a crochet giveaway over at my blog if you would like to enter .
Jacquie x

Anne said...

What a lovely post and such a visual feast with all those lovely photos. Thank you for sharing.

Sweet Birdy Love said...

Hey Steph nice to see that you can put a positive spin on things even though it may not be the perfect weather.
If we look hard enough there are always things to be enjoyed whether its blowing a gale or blisteringly hot.....
I hope you get your Indian Summer in September so you can enjoy your trip away.
We had a lovely, sunny day here and no doubt there will be many more on the way.Don't be jealous because along with them come, drought, bushfires and hot days but that's Australia for you........
Lovely pics too.

Bobo Bun said...

Definate change in the air and I'm staying in my bed longer to keep warm. Shame about your change of plan, but cosy weekends are just the best really.

X

andamento said...

You always take such nice photos!

Love your list of Autumn pleasures, would still like an Indian summer first though.

Elizabeth said...

Oh, O love that flip of the calendar, too...autumn leaves, the colour palette, everything. Wonderful. x

melanie said...

This summer has indeed been a disapointment, never mind, maybe next year will be better, lol xxxx

Pink Feather Paradise said...

What a fabulous post and so very true... I knew the school summer holidays would be a dissapointment weather wise and I have been feeling a need to cosy up the house and prepare for Winter for the last 2 weeks or so... I seem to be much more tuned in to the seasons this year... and so much more aware of the changing of the natural world around me... I love the sound of your weekend and would swap my current weekend experience in a heart beat... hopefully once the kitchen is finished I too can reap the rewards of making soem jam and wholegrain mustard and sloe gin! lol

x Alex

Helen Philipps said...

I so enjoyed your beautiful autmnal post. I love this season too, and all the homely comforts and cosiness we are beginning to enjoy, like blackberrying and new winter knitting!x Helen

LinenandRoses said...

Oh I so so agree with you about the coming month and season. I always find August disappointing but love the autumn so much. I always feels like something of a relief to stop pretending it's still summer and to embrace all the loveliness of the new season.

The Curious Cat said...

Autumn is always such a pleasant month - less expectation for sun. Summer is disappointing when it doesn't deliver. I've been away from the UK for 6 weeks now and much of the time before was abroad too so I feel I may have had too much sun - should have sent some your way! But, having said that, I do miss English summer somewhat...there is something nice about days down by the beach where it rains and you get stuck inside playing Monopoly with the family...or have to run into the nearest cafe to escape the rain and then you try and get warm with a cup of tea and munch on fish and chips.

Still, I'm sorry it has been a let down...it did look so promising...fingers crossed for a golden autumn perhaps? xxx

Anonymous said...

You make even a quiet domestic weekend seem a treasure. We have that turn of the season feeling as well, and I cooked a first roast of the season for lunch yesterday. Lots of autumnal pleasures to look forward to!

Madelief said...

So sorry to hear you missed your trip. I hope your children are feeling better?! Your are so right about this summer, it feels like it has never really started. It's the same in Holland. I am longing for some more warm summer days; to wear my flipflops, some bright coloured skirts or dresses and to eat outside once more. I still keep my fingers crossed. Hopefully September will be great!

Lieve groet, Madelief

Jenny at Red House said...

I've suddenly realised we are nearly back to shivering in the shower time again!jenny

pinkgreen said...

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for an Indian Summer too! I suspect that the weather will turn out to be lovely now the children are going back to school!

Lucy said...

Maybe we will get an Indian Summer after Autumn begins, we often do. But you're right, Autumn is definitely here, I can smell it in the air. And I'm pleased too, when August is a washout we're kind of nowhere season-wise, now we have a new one to look forward to. The transition between seasons is always lovely and nostalgic anyway, I'm sure you'll make the most of it with your talent for enjoying the British countryside.

Kimberley said...

Lovely post. You've made me look forward to Autumn! x

harmony and rosie said...

I'm so over summer. I've been packing away most of my summer clothes in readiness for autumn now which means the sun will be reappearing any day!

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

Love your blog and have been lurking for sometime. The Moorlands look like as wonderful place to raise a family. I'm new to blogging and just created one myself. Please stop by and follow when you have a minute. Looking forward to your next post.

Unknown said...

I just wanted to say hello, and what a beauitful colourful blog you have. I love all your photos of the flowers in the jugs and your garden looks gorg. And the blankets so colorful. Really lovely ;-)