We got back from a couple of days away today to some glorious – and unexpected – hot late afternoon sunshine. Yet, even sitting in it watching the freshly fledged second brood of swallows practise their flying skills in the courtyard, I couldn’t quite shake off the feeling that this is the last gasp of summer, its dying days, and autumn and winter are just around the corner. Partly it’s the fact that this is the last brood of swallows to emerge from the shed for the year and once they’ve mastered the vital skills in life (catching midgies, perching on the wire instead of sliding inelegantly down the slates of the roof, crapping accurately on the car) they’ll be off to Southern Africa for the rest of the year. And there’s the landlord ringing to arrange about chimney sweeping, and Rayburn servicing and other such necessary reminders that the days of sitting in our shirtsleeves in the sun will soon be over and we haven’t even got all last winter’s cling film off the windows yet. And though the green beans are still going strong we’re looking at the last of the broad beans soon, the last planting of salad, and the second (and last) flush of peas and then the garden will all be about lifting potatoes and winter veg and hearty stews…
I don’t know. I should enjoy the fact that it’s still summer, albeit late summer. And the chances are that we’ll actually get our finest weather in the next six weeks, if the last couple of years are anything to go by. But I just don’t like this time of year and I never have. Schools going back (and ‘Back to School’ must surely be the three most dread-laden words in the English language), the days drawing in, the chill in the breeze on even the sunniest morning. And behind it all the sense of another year passing and another winter looming on the horizon.
Winter has its own joys, of course, and in a minute I’m sure I’ll be able to think of what they are. But meanwhile I’ll be looking up at the swallows on the wire and wondering if I could persuade them somehow to take me with them.
I do know what you mean. I love Autumn, but at the moment it’s all ‘summer’s lease ‘ etc. I have two and a half weeks of the school holidays left and am already sorting out uniforms etc.
I’ve also been noticing the signs that summer is coming to a close. It’s still light when I get up, but muted, not so bright and it’s getting darker earlier. Problem is I don’t actually remember us having much of a proper summer this year at all. There were a few nice days but really not enough.
Jane – uniforms? Really?
Dom – we had ours in May, and it was gorgeous
Have I told you that I love reading your blog?
Thank you.
That is all.
While gardening on Aug. 2, a termite flew up my shirt. As I wildly flapped clothing trying to remove it, I wondered — why so early? They shouldn’t be out yet for another month.
MagicRoundabout – thank you although I expect you’re only saying that to cheer me up
Kirsten – I am glad we at least don’t have to deal with termites.
Has someone pinched your headline?
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/last-of-the-summer-whines-unpicking-the-myth-of-the-rural-idyll-2056091.html
The thieving bastards! Although I don’t suppose I was actually the first to think of that one…
After one long battle a few years ago to get all the walnuts in and drying all over sitting room and spare room floors (t’other half called it ‘A Nutmare!’ ) before the squirrels burried them in the flower beds, I was actually glad November had arrived.
Walnuts? There’s a glut I’d like to have. Although maybe not all over the house…
Hi
Just been a casual reader of your commuter blog, didn’t even know you had upped sticks but just wanted to say how beautifully you destined the end of summer feeling in this entry, a warm, lyrical and melancholic piece
Thanks
* described not destined, predictive text!!
Oh, thank you very much