Isn't it marvellous summer is over!

Grey, damp, dim, depressing. How anyone can enjoy that is beyond me. However, forecast suggests possible improvement over the weekend. I also hope for the possibility of an Indian summer. We can but dream.......

No! I dislike the long, dark days of Winter. It is so interminably long. Autumn, with the beautiful rust colours and dappled sunshine is quite beautiful, but it is short lived. We have cosy evenings with the candles, log fires and slow cooked casseroles, but bring on the Spring - Hellebores, snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils, tulips …..

Part of the reason I am so pleased to see autumn is beccause this summer has been so bad. It is good to see the back of it and to be going into typical autumn weather, rain and wind and trees changing colour.

I found over the summer, the rain and cold, and most of all trees changing colour and blackberries and hawthorne berries in full colour in August utterly unsettling. it was unseasonal weather for summe. I have also had primroses blooming in my garden since July, they do seem to have gone over now.

After a season that was as untypical as it could be, it is such a relief to be in a season that, so far, has done as it is meant to do.

I suppose it has done what it’s supposed to in the last week if wet, cold and windy is what you mean. Yuck, yuck and thrice yuck.

After a season that was as untypical as it could be, it is such a relief to be in a season that, so far, has done as it is meant to do.

Our summer clematis has started flowering for the first time this year.
And at last the Cosmos have started flowering.

Being my colouring I have never been a sun worshipper. I have arthritis which is worse in the winter so I don't relish the cold.
I do wrap up in every way and change my diet so agree on that.
We are on a break in Durham and I have to say I wish I brought warmer clothing to be a comfort in this horrid weather.

fancythat

And the heating and electric bills!
We have done some things to mitigate things, but even so..

I read our meters today and when I submitted the reading I found there is over £1000 in our account. Once the heating is switched on it will soon disappear.

Absolutely No.. I love the sun, sitting eating in our garden, the garden in full bloom. Autumn is okay, but Winter is dull, rains too much dark, miserable and depressing.
It's never cold enough to Snow it just rain's in my part of the South of England.
I can't find anything positive to say about winter, except Christmas.

Our Summer this year has been shocking just hope this Winter isn't so wet.

Definitely not a winter person, summer for me. Spring is ok, I enjoy looking forward. Forsome reason I get very fidgety in autumn, can’t settle often agitated. Arthritis gets worse as temperatures fall and the rain increases, my hands are stuck every morning at the moment and my back is objecting. So, no, I can’t rejoice as summer comes to an end, this year I’m already worrying about heating bills. Good job we’re all different!

I prefer summer. Barbecues in the garden, morning coffee on the patio, drying the washing outside, colourful flowers to look at in the garden, home grown vegetables and salads to eat, and holidays in the sun. Summer every time for me.

MrsKen33

I was born in July. Love hot weather. Didn’t see much this year though.

One of the big reasons we left the UK 50 years ago. The awful weather once the brief Summer was over. Nothing nicer than a British Summer day but so very scarce!

I was born in January but really dislike the winter. Back to being bundled up to walk the dogs and arriving home cold and wet ( me and them!) I'm really scared at having to find the money to pay fuel bills and will be longing for the warmer weather to return.

I love it, love the change in season when the garden starts to sleep, when I can get cosy indoors. There is always something interesting to do, I have a lot of good hobbies. I love being able to sleep without the heat stifling me and being able to choose which warm clothing I want to wear

The candles, the bright burning logs and going with the flow, not fighting the season change but changing into hibernation mode. That is me

The sun gives so much
It heats us and our homes Free
It dries our clothes for Free
It makes us go out and meet people to speak to and smile at
It grows our flowers to make us happy
It grows our veg to feed us
It encourages us for walks, swims, picnics, with warmth on our bodies ( a few days a year)

Spring is lovely because it is moving us away from the depressing cold and into warmth and new life
Autumn is pretty but it is a foreboding of the shivers and death and decay

Winter may be nice for people with a good income, no worries about fuel costs, a warm car to jump from the door to the steering wheel to take you where you want to go and family around you not so nice for those living on the streets, or living in fear of paying the bills within their homes, or for those more isolated getting trapped in their homes alone for days

These are some of the practicalities of summer versus winter

But most of all it lifts the spirits and it’s much harder to be depressed when the sun is cuddling you
I totally understand some people prefer the cold and dark winter days, thats choice but to begrudge the FEW warm days we do get seems disagreeable

Very sensible, thoughts BlueBelle it’s too easy to let the cheesy sentiments of crisp Autumn leaves, “chestnuts roasting on an open fire “ or Frosty the Snowman obscure the very real difference the temperature and weather makes to our everyday lives especially to those without the luxuries of heating, light, hot water, and warming food.
The sun and rain are both essential for life and I suppose I feel slightly ashamed at moaning about it when we get “too much” of either.

I agree BlueBelle. I shall hold on to summer for as long as possible.
I love the warm mornings, the first cup of coffee sitting in the garden. Then the balmy evenings. Sitting in the garden reflecting on life.
Winter can be hard and difficult for so many.
I'm looking forward to December 21st when the days will once again begin to lengthen.

karmalady

I love it, love the change in season when the garden starts to sleep, when I can get cosy indoors. There is always something interesting to do, I have a lot of good hobbies. I love being able to sleep without the heat stifling me and being able to choose which warm clothing I want to wear

The candles, the bright burning logs and going with the flow, not fighting the season change but changing into hibernation mode. That is me

Me too karmalady, it’s pointless rallying against the rhymn of the year and the seasons. I look forward to the changes and seeing what nature brings us.
It was different when I was working, having to drive long distances and being out of the house for 10 hours a day. Now I happily go with the flow (I really struggle though if it’s very hot, health wise), I have plenty of hobbies and interests to keep me occupied!

Aldom

I agree BlueBelle. I shall hold on to summer for as long as possible.
I love the warm mornings, the first cup of coffee sitting in the garden. Then the balmy evenings. Sitting in the garden reflecting on life.
Winter can be hard and difficult for so many.
I'm looking forward to December 21st when the days will once again begin to lengthen.

I was born on 21 December, always felt cheated because it was the ‘shortest day’!

Snap Roses! Always get Christmas and birthday rolled into one! It is the longest day here, however.

I could live in permanent summer, so no not looking forward to dark mornings and nights, rain and cold.

I love, love, love September - the smell, the light, the colours. I thought it would never come. We were still suffering with temps in the high 20s last week. Now I can't wait to watch the walnut tree in our garden change its colours (unfortunately that also entails endless raking of leaves).

Only problem is, I hung out some washing yesterday afternoon and it was still not quite dry at bedtime so I checked the weather app and it predicted dry weather and warm again today. So I left it to continue drying overnight. Wrong app! DH looked at his and it said rain at 3 am. And that was exactly what happened! So now I've got to decide whether to bring it in and continue drying it inside or leave it to chance and hope the rain keeps off for long enough today!

Am looking forward to cuddling up with the DGC by the log fire.

I've spent weeks trying to save my plants from the heat .
I've lost some .
At one stage , I made a canopy of old bedsheets to protect my potted ones .

Now the rain is here so my plants are improving and the lawn is green .
The ground is less concrete and I can weed .

But yesterday , I was soaked to the skin and freezing cold when out shopping .
The buses were delayed and when they arrived - tempers were frayed !

I like a nice mild climate without extremes !

I can’t see anything positive about the Winter although I try to make the best of everything.
I don’t ever eat stews or casseroles and will carry on with salads on some Winter days. I hate the feel of jumpers, coats and boots and the horrible dry atmosphere in the house with the central heating on. I don’t like driving in the dark and worry about accidents in fog , snow and ice. I make an effort at Christmas but hate the stress it brings, not to mention the expense.

You are are right Abracadabra we live in Nouvelle Aquitaine .