Wednesday 30 August 2017

August


I'm sure you will understand the reason for my lack of posts this month. I have been the sole source of entertainment for a (very) lively four year old which, although tough going at times, has also been a enormous amount of fun.
This month has flown by.
When I initially booked our holiday for the end of July I naively thought the rest of the Summer would stretch on forever and yet now, here we are, almost at its end.





I've really enjoyed the time off and it seems that, once again, we've spent most of the month outdoors. I've made up endless picnics, cleaned muddy boots and swept up A LOT of sand.
We've visited the picturesque towns of Kirkby Lonsdale, Settle and Skipton, walked up Wansfell Pike, overlooking Ambleside and, of course, spent a lot of time at the beach.
In the middle of the month I spent my birthday by the lake at Grasmere. It was a gloriously sunny day and Lily and I had a wonderful time paddling at the soft shingle shoreline. Her confidence has grown in leaps and bounds over the Summer, mastering the zip wire and fireman's pole at the local park and learning to read. We have spent so much time together it is going to be such a wrench when she starts at school in a couple of weeks time.



We've collected plenty of blackberries. Or rather I collected blackberries while Lily stood and kept me company. They are in abundance around here this year and I have a freezer drawer full of them just waiting to be made into jam and possibly some blackberry vodka.
Over the last week the weather has hinted at Autumn, but with the temperatures set to rise again towards the weekend I will be making the most of Summer while it lasts.
J. X

46 comments:

  1. Summer does seem to have passed in the blink of an eye but you've managed to pack lots of lovely things in. I can see big changes for you in the next couple of weeks with Lily starting school, I'm sure you'll soon get in to a new routine and a new chapter in your life will begin. Lily will love it, I'm sure.

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    1. It has gone quickly but thankfully we have been lucky with the weather this year and we have been able to get out and about. I am looking forward to getting into a routine now and seeing where this new chapter will lead. X

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  2. I have two of my Grandchildren starting school shortly, they are so excited about it. Long may that last. Sounds like you have had a wonderful summer visiting lots of lovely places. I must admit to been a tad envious of the blackberries, the first year in many that I have not been collecting them.

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    1. We have had a lovely summer and now it's time to adjust to a new routine and new adventures. I hope your grandchildren are looking forward to the school term. X

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  3. gorgeous pictures. When I was younger the summer holidays felt that they went on for ever and ever. Everything seems to speed past so quick now. a blink of an eye and another month has gone. I think you have the right idea, try and hold on as long as you can. they are only little once. Enjoy it :)

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    1. Yes, I remember how those six weeks felt like forever, filled with adventure and sunshine (it was always hot and sunny). We've really made the most of our time together this Summer. X

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  4. The summer has seemed short this year largely due to the unpredictable weather, I'm hoping for an Indian summer. You have certainly made the most of it with your lovely little daughter. It will be a wrench when she starts school but you have given her such a good head start by teaching her lots of new things. She's going to grow into a well rounded young lady.

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    1. I think she's ready for school Eileen. We've had a wonderful Summer together so I just hope she will settle well into a new routine. X

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  5. Where did the summer go - I cannot believe we are heading now for Autumn but I love September and those unexpected warm Indian summer days that come along usually when the children have gone back to school. I am glad you had such a wondrful time - there is nothing like the memories of a good summer.

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    1. There are definite signs of Autumn around here but I don't feel quite ready to give up on Summer just yet. Those long balmy days are behind us now though, I'm sure. X

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  6. Time flies when we have fun. :)
    I'm glad you had a wonderful summer. Your photos are beautiful.

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    1. We've had a great time Nil. Plenty of fun. X

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  7. It soon goes doesn't it, you have obviously had a great time, I always found it difficult when our son had to go back to school.
    My first batch of blackberry vodka is ready, I might go and pick a few more blackberries today, xx

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    1. I'm going to really miss Lily's company and our afternoon walks. I still haven't got my vodka. I must get a move on if I want it ready in time for Christmas. X

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  8. How great that you have had such a busy summer and enjoyed so many great things!

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  9. Its do lovely that you managed to be outside enjoying yourselves so much. It recharges the batteries and strengthens your bones ready for winter. Long may the sunshine continue.

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    1. Yes, doesn't it? Although, it has been a bit rainy the last couple of days and I've found I'm not used to it. X

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  10. When school breaks up for summer it always seems ages before they go back to school yet every year I'm taken by surprise by how quickly time flies. It's lovely that Lily's confidence is growing. I like using the term 'quietly confident', you don't have to be first at everything, loud or jump in without thinking things through to be confident. In fact, holding back a little and giving things a bit of thought is to be highly recommended. I'm sure Lily will love school and there is generally a lot of outdoor play in the first year which sounds like it will suit her perfectly. xx

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    1. The thought of the long Summer break seems a bit daunting but it flies by and before you know it you're putting name labels in uniform and shopping for new shoes. I really hope Lily is going to enjoy school, although I suspect it will take a while for her to get used to some structure and routine after the lovely Summer we've enjoyed.
      Yes, there is a lot more emphasis on outdoor play now which Lily will love. X

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  11. Love the cloud formations in your photos...and those blackberries...well worth a few prickles and scratches! The thing about children is they grow up...sad but true...and your relationship with tnem though constant, changes...you will find your way though fear not! x

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    1. Thank you Jackie. I was quite fortunate not to get too many scratches, thank goodness. Shhh! I'm not going to let Lily grow up. X

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  12. Oh Jules, what a fabulous August, and summer, you've had. So many lovely days and precious memories. I think to spend your birthday by the lake at Grasmere sounds wonderful, I hope you had a super time.

    Your photo's are always so nice to see. When you visited Settle were the Flowerpot People around? I love scarecrow festivals, flowerpot people displays etc. etc. I'm still a big kid at heart. LOL!

    Those blackberries do look delicious, happy jam making or whatever you decide to do with them.

    I find it so hard to believe that September is almost here, although I do like the Autumn.

    I'm sure Lily will love school, and you will adjust to a new chapter in life.

    My good wishes

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan. We've really enjoyed a marvellous Summer and have been fortunate to visit some beautiful places. Yes, the flowerpot people were in Settle when we visited. We had great fun spotting them all over the town. I think we're all still big kids at heart really. X

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  13. The summer has whizzed by here to. spending your birthday at grasmere sounds like heaven. I've just been looking at coniston and Windermere marathons- they sound beautiful. Perhaps next year :o). It sounds like a perfect summer with you and Lily having fun together x

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    1. It was a lovely place to spend my birthday CT. It was so peaceful and quiet.
      Windermere Marathon sounds good. The scenery would prove to be a beautiful distraction. X

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  14. I love blackberry picking, there has been so many berries hasn't there. Have a great weekend. x

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    1. I was surprised at how many there have been around here this year. X

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  15. Looks like you have had a wonderful summer holidays, glad to see you got into the Park a few times and had sdecent weather.

    I agree, there's been a very autumnal nip in the air the last couple of evenings.

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    1. We have had a wonderful time and have lots of happy memories of the holidays this year. The days now seem to be alterating between Summer and Autumn, but I'm holding on to the Summer ones for as long as I can. X

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  16. Your photos are always so peaceful and beautiful. I'm glad you have had such a lovely summer with Lily. It is hard when they are off to school full time for the first time. I hated it, and in the afternoons would literally watch the clock until I could go and pick Violet up.

    It feels as if we just let out a sigh for school to be over, and before that sigh has finished school is about to start again already!

    Hope it goes well for Lily, and for you. xx

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    1. Thank you Sadie. We've had a lovely Summer. I'm really going to miss spending that time with Lily when she starts school next week. I hope all goes well for Violet tomorrow. X

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  17. Your August looks like it was lovely...

    ...Lily is going to love school and all of the friends that she will make :)

    You will make new friends too :)

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    1. It's been a lovely month and I've really appreciated the time we've had. I hope Lily will settle well at school and I'm sure she will make lots of friends. X

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  18. What lovely photos. It looks and sounds like you had a wonderful August, although those warm days feel like a long time ago already. I wish Lily lots of luck and best wishes with starting school, such an exciting time for you both.

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    1. Thank you Gillian. We've really made the most of our Summer and yes, those days do seem far away all of a sudden. Lily is looking forward to starting school on Monday. I'm not sure that I am. X

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  19. It sounds like you've had a wonderful summer. I loved seeing all your photos; the countryside looks so pretty. Nothing like our parched (and scorched!) hills around here! I hope the start of school goes well and there will be fun weekends to look forward to throughout the coming months.

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    1. We've had a wonderful time, thank you Bless. It's now time to get back into a routine which allows us to make the most of our precious weekends. We are very fortunate with the countryside near here. X

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  20. Wonderful summer I too loved the summer hols with my children, and I love Skipton.. Thank you for your sympathetic comment on my blog.

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    1. We've had a lovely break Chris and really made the most of it. precious times. X

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  21. Sounds like you have both had a lovely summer, visiting some really nice places. Beautiful photos.
    Amanda xx

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    1. We've had a lovely time, thank you. There are some beautiful places to visit in this country aren't there? X

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  22. Looks like you had a lovely August Jules.
    Great to catch up with what you have been up to.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. We've been so lucky to have such a good time Sheila. It's been a great Summer. X

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