Friday 8 September 2017

Last days of Summer



As I write this it is damp and grey outdoors and it is time to finally accept that, for me at least, Summer is now over. I know we can still expect some warm sunny days ahead but the nights are getting longer now and there is a distinct coolness in the morning air.
I have so much enjoyed these late Summer days and really wanted to make the most of this precious time spent with Lily before she begins school next week.
Naturally one of our days was spent at the beach. I think it will be a while now before we will once again be wearing our shorts and running into the sea.
We've been walking and collecting  more blackberries and some elderberries. There have been so many this year. Some of the blackberries are currently being transformed into blackberry vodka while the rest are still in the freezer waiting to be become jam at some point during the coming week. The elderberries will be turned into syrup. It is delicious on porridge during the colder months and apparently it also has antiviral properties.



While we were in Settle, a couple of weeks ago, we called in at a lovely little toy shop where I picked up a colourful  pocket kite for Lily and when we were out walking last weekend it was breezy enough to try it out. Initially a little unsure of how it worked she soon got the hang of it and thoroughly enjoyed herself. Luckily there is no shortage of wide open spaces around here so I will keep the kite folded up in the rucksack in anticipation of the next flying opportunity.
Also, last weekend I made a brief foray into the world of cycling in order to try out our recent purchase of a trail-gator. I found I enjoyed it much more than I expected. It's been a few years since I was last on a bike, let alone one with another attached  to it and being told 'faster, faster!' We're hoping to get out again very soon, suffice to say I will be getting hold of some padded shorts before I do.


Yesterday I spent an hour sewing name labels into school uniform and this time next week Lily will have spent her very first week at school! I can't think where the time has gone. She seems excited but no doubt it will take her a while to settle in. She's certainly reached a stage where she is ready for new challenges and once she finds her feet I'm sure she'll thrive. It doesn't stop me worrying though.
The changing of the seasons sees us finding a new routine to our days which, although very different from the freedom of the Summer months, is reassuring to return to at this time of year.
J. X

40 comments:

  1. If I lived near a beach I think I would probably be happy for summer to last a little longer but I am ready for for Autumn now.....the quilts, the candles and lamplight.....oh yes....bring it on.
    Awww I hope Lily settles into her school life quickly. I can't wait to see Ruby today to hear how she has settled back in.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. The beach is Lily's favourite place and we've spent many happy days there this Summer. I'm slowly getting ready for Autumn now. It's neither one season or the other here at the moment though. Not Summer, yet not cold enough to be thought of as Autumn. I hope Ruby has enjoyed her first week back at school. X

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  2. I love visiting Settle, we haven't been for ages, might have to alter that!

    This time of year is just so wonderful, especially here as it's still busy at times, especially at weekends with the illuminations, but there are periods where the beach is quiet and it's great for a stroll.

    It's very nearly my favourite time - where we go to a football match in daylight and leave when it's dark.

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    1. Settle is such a beautiful little town isn't it? And it was such a lovely time of year to visit with people milling around and sitting outside cafes.
      Let's hope for a good season this year. X

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  3. As a retired teacher I am pretty sure that first days at school are much more daunting for parents than they are for the children. Do hope all goes well. I don't live all that far from Settle - it is a nice place isn't it?

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    1. I think you're right Pat. She will be starting gradually, half days this week, until two o'clock next week, then in full time, so hopefully that will help both of us with the settling in process.
      Settle is beautiful. I really enjoyed my time there. X

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  4. No, it doesn't stop us worrying. But I think Weaver is absolutely spot on, the parents worry more than the children.
    Violet has been walking to/from school on her own this week which of course has had me a nervous wreck, but she was fine. I'll take the worry so she doesn't have to, and you are doing the same.

    Seems Autumn is early this year, not that you'll hear me complaining!

    Hope Lily enjoys school, and that it all goes well. xx

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    1. Thank you Sadie. I'm sure she will be fine and her class size is slightly smaller than most which can only help. It sounds like Violet has enjoyed her first week. Does she have far to walk?
      Autumn does seem to be arriving slightly earlier this year. X

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  5. Weaver is right, first days of school are harder on the parents I'm sure. It's nice to see your cat enjoying the sunshine, as a dog person I can't wait for the end of the month when the dog restrictions are lifted and I can get back onto the beach which is just down the road. Flying a kite is so much fun, simple things can bring so much pleasure and I have to say blackberry vodka sounds divine. I know what you mean about the bike, I bought a padded gel seat cover for mine when I hadn't ridden one for years and I haven't been on it for a few years since :)

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    1. Thank you Eileen. I find Pat is usually right about most things :-) I will let you in on a secret - I'm a dog person too! I lost my last one two years ago now but the thought of committing to another for eighteen years seems a bit daunting. Maybe I will get another some time in the future. It will be lovely for you to get back on the beach won't it? X

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  6. I'm never ready for summer to end but I think autumn has arrived sooner than ever this year, there's signs of it all around. We had great fun with a kite on the beach a few weeks ago too, it may be the age of technology but these old fashioned toys still stand the test of time. I hope everything goes well for Lily as she starts school, and don't forget to take plenty of tissues with you when you drop her off.

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    1. The kite flying is fun isn't it? I am a huge fan of traditional toys. Far more fun than technology and no chargers required.
      I'm sure Lily will be fine. I might need tissues but they will be for tears of relief - seven weeks of keeping her entertained have exhausted me! X

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  7. Hope all goes well for Lily and that she enjoys her new adventure of school. 2 of my Grandchildren started school this week, I think it is going to take a little while certainly for one to adjust. I must admit to been a tad envious of the blackberries, this is the first year in many that I haven't any in the freezer.

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    1. Thank you. Yes, it pays to be realistic and expect it can be a while for them to adjust to a new setting. We have been so lucky with the blackberries this year. I really need to get on and make the jam. I need the freezer space. X

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  8. Your baby off to school already, doesn't time fly, Lily will love it.
    I love porridge I eat it all year round xx

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    1. Time truly does fly by. She will be at secondary school before I know it. Porridge is the best but I don't eat much of it during the summer months. X

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  9. We walked on the beach today and enjoyed the the September sunshine knowing that autumn is upon us. Where does the time go. I can remember my children starting school and now they have children of there own.

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    1. It must have been lovely. It was sunny here too yesterday and so warm. We made the most of it as it won't be long before we are reaching for our sweaters. Children grow up in the blink of an eye. X

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  10. Im sure that Lily will love school...

    ...it is a worrying time for sure but the EYFS teachers are so lovely and patient (Evies were anyway :O))

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  11. Hope Lily's first few days at school have been a positive experience for her :-).

    Summer is definitely over, there is a "nip" in the air, the leaves are turning, dark so much earlier and I am now putting on lights and drawing the curtains.

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    1. Tomorrow will be her first day Jayne. Well, it's a half day to start with. I do hope she will enjoy it.
      It feels like Summer is over but Autumn has not quite begun, it was really quite warm here yesterday. It is a nice cosy feeling drawing the curtains in an evening though. X

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    2. Me again :-) How was the first week at school?

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    3. It's been really positive so far, thank you Jayne. This week will be more telling in that she will be there for longer but she seems very happy so far. X

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  12. What a lovely post Jules. I think Autumn has arrived sooner than usual - I remember Amy returning in September quite often wearing her summer school dresses, but no chance of that this year. I hope Lily enjoys her first day at school. It's a big change for them and a lot to get used to but I'm sure she'll have a great time. xx

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    1. Thank you Suzanne. Autumn is arriving earlier this year, isn't it? It's lovely to see all the berries on the trees.
      Lily had a positive first day, so long may it continue. I do hope you managed to get things sorted for Thomas. X

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  13. I always enjoy looking at and reading your posts.
    Your photographs are so lovely and just recently our weather has turned wet and windy so it has been so lovely to see the sunshine and blue skies in your photographs.

    I hope Lily is settling well at school.

    My good wishes

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan. That's a very kind thing to say. It's turned rather dark and wet here now and I'm looking forward to some cold and bright days ahead.
      School seems to be going well for Lily so far. ☺ X

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  14. Growing up in the UK, I don't remember the passing of the last days of summer with any regret as there was always the excitement of the start of school, whereas the start of summer was always sooo exciting! I hope Lily has enjoyed her first days of school! Your photos are lovely, enjoy your blackberries - it will be an ok winter you have the vodka to enjoy! Wren x

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    1. Thank you Wren. School is going well so far (I should say this quietly as I don't want to jinx it.) I remember the anticipation of a new school year - new shoes, new pencil case, wondering if the new teacher would be more strict. It all seems a long time ago now.
      I'm looking forward to trying the vodka. X

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  15. I do hope Lily is continuing to thrive and enjoy school. There are so many new things to learn in that first year. I used to help in the local reception class for 3 years, then year 1 for another 3 years. I had a temporary job in both yr 5 and 6 but I'm not sure at the moment, whether I'll go back to volunteering just yet.
    In the reception class, I always thought it was the best year of a child's education at the primary school. Obviously a lot of their learning in that year is in how the school and their peers 'do things' and in learning more independence eg scissors, as well as joining in with discussions about what they already know about a subject before adding to that knowledge. They also have such good opportunities for fun in learning and experiences that are fantastic.
    Love the beautiful cat photo. Cx

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    1. Thank you. It seems to be going well so far and she is enjoying it very much. They do learn so much in these early years and, as you say, it's not just about education but social skills, listening and independence etc. There is more focus on outdoor learning by play which she will, no doubt, thrive on.
      It must have been great fun helping out in the reception class. X

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  16. Goodness...that wee mite off to school. I hope she settles in well. x

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    1. They're not wee for long are they?
      It's going very well so far, thank you Jackie. X

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  17. I am glad your little girl is settling in x

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  18. Your beautiful girl at school, she still looks so small. I hope she's having a wonderful time and you can gradually relax and enjoy your little bit of free time xx

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    1. Thank you Cheryl. Yes, she still seems too small to me. At the moment I've been catching up with jobs that built up during the Summer but I'm hoping to enjoy a little bit of time to myself as time goes on. X

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  19. Jules, I could swear I posted a comment, but I guess I didn't! Hope Lily has enjoyed her first day at school and is adjusting well to her new schedule.

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    1. Thank you Bless. It was going well until today, as she is off sick - full of cold. An easy day today with a gentle walk for some fresh air later and I'm sure she will be all set for her first full day on Monday. X

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