Monday morning dawned, grey but warm. The weather forecast had predicted sunshine having experienced the hottest ‘end of August’ bank holiday since records began! My cousin and her daughter were coming for a two day visit from South Africa and I needed good weather to show off our beautiful countryside.
The sky was still grey with no hint of blue when we collected them from the station. ‘The sun is going to come out’ I promised my cousin. ‘Our weather forecast has predicted another beautiful summer’s day!’ I sounded a lot more confident than I felt!But, a few hours later, we were wandering alongside a canal, suntan lotion liberally applied and admiring our surroundings, another new experience for them.
Tuesday morning’s forecast was less positive but we spent the day travelling up to and around the Lake District in the hope that we would have a few hours without rain or mist and some good photo opportunities. My husband and I had forgotten that it was still school holidays so, even though the weather was on our side, the seriously heavy traffic and lack of any parking certainly wasn’t!
So we spent most of the day driving around the lakes and not getting out of the car to stretch our legs! Fitbit was at his annoying best, reminding me to feed him and when was I going to take him for a walk! Luckily we did come across a hotel with parking available and sat outside in a very pretty garden with a cold drink, eating a light lunch before driving up to the last couple of lakes. We needed to leave before impatient office workers clogged up the motorway, delaying our two hour drive back home.
Once more the weather came up trumps as, that evening, we were able to walk the one and a half miles to our local pub for a meal. We didn’t realise that Tuesday night was quiz night so, another experience for my South African relatives, we stayed for the quiz and walked home long after the sun had set. It was pitch black, no street lights and the only help we had to navigate around horse and cattle ‘residue’ was my cousin’s young daughter guiding us with the light of her mobile phone! The brilliance of youth! I would never have thought of that!
On Wednesday, after we had taken my cousin and her lovely young daughter to the station, my friend and I headed off to the care home for their weekly exercise class. The couple of new residents were very enthusiastic which set the tone and we both left on a high, very satisfied that it had been a job well done!
It was back to the gym on Thursday and a meal with friends last night. Summer is slowly moving on with autumn lurking in the wings. The first day of September is the meteorological first day of autumn! It seems like yesterday that the clocks went back and the giddy anticipation of long hot summer days brought a ‘spring’ to our step!
But, I do love autumn. It’s the time of year to start the winding down process. Plants stop growing and the evenings draw in. I can feel the change in the air. Even the birds dawn chorus is less frenetic.
However, this year my husband and I head off to New Zealand and Australia in October. It will be springtime in the Southern hemisphere so we’ll miss the leaves turning from green to beautiful shades of red, orange and gold! But there is always next year! And spring is also magical, new beginnings and, for us, seeing a whole new world! Bring it on …….đź‘
Jenny Burrell 