August nearly over

 

The early mornings have a chill in the air, and the leaves on the vine in my garden are starting to change from vibrant dark green to a dull light green tinged with yellow. A sure sign that Autumn is approaching. July and August in the UK this year have been chilly and very wet, which my lawn loved but I was not so keen on.

Outdoor eating has taken a back seat to indoor dining ( until I decided to decorate the dining room, when dining turned to a tray on my lap). The fact that at 8.45pm I now have to put on lights is not something that I like either.

Although I was born in November, the cold and wet, ice and snow are things that I dislike immensely. And with that in mind this year I chose to have a warmer birthday holiday, to the southern part of the Med.       ( more about that in a  later blog).

I often had holidays in Western France  in September, where it  usually was still basking in late summer sun interspersed with quick downpours which  would  leave petrichor wafting  in the air from the quickly drying ground. Swimming in the pool or paddling in the sea in the last throes of summer, always something that I looked forward to.

 I am heading off for a mid week break in the UK in September, to meet up with my chum Harry and watch a spot of cricket at Trent Bridge, this will see me through until I have a long weekend break in October, when I hope that heading  to Limoges, may see slightly warmer temperatures. Who knows?

What I will say is that this year I have put in the airmiles, from Amsterdam to Tunisia, to France x 2 and the south of the Med later in the year. Add to that the UK miles, Yorkshire in the cottage  x2 ( Xmas will be there again) , Leeds, Sedburgh and Nottingham( still to come), Ive been on the go a lot!

Will I stay home ,more next year?

Not if I can help it!

A quiet August

 

August has been very quiet for me, and this is how I planned it, its not that I don't like children,but I prefer to have my holidays  out of school holiday time ( too many years working in a school and having to holiday at more costly and allotted times). So I'm at home for August.

I'm having a mini break in the UK towards the end of September, and also preparing to do my first Antiques fair in many many years, this could be  the start of  something that I do on a regular basis ( as well as clearing out the house).

I had planned to start my 'big birthday year (2024) in January, this will see me doings things I've never done and going to places that I haven't been too, both home and away. However I am going to ramp it up a bit and will be starting the  countdown in October this year.

After all its best to live life to the fullest as it only happens once.

And so with that I am off to do some planning

Where to next?

 

 I have been home a few weeks and already have itchy feet. So much so that  I  am now planning another couple of trips before the end of the year.

I have always loved to travel, and  after a few years hiatus, I am back into the swing of it. 

So I have booked a long weekend to go and  explore another gothic cathedral, in a city famous for its porcelain. 

Can you guess where it is?

I am very busy working out my itinerary, I will try to cram as much into the weekend as I did in Beauvais, possibly without the drama of a police car ride!

I also completely changed my plans  for my annual birthday holiday and instead of racing around on a city break I am having a winter sun break. More about that nearer the time.

So in the meantime I will be sorting out my bag again and hoping for some autumnal sunshine.

Can't wait