Monday 23 September 2019

Summer's End






The last of the sunflowers has opened up in the morning sun, I've just returned from a short run along the lanes, and there's a pan of leek and potato soup in the kitchen ready for my lunch.
I'm quite relieved to see the start of this new week.

Last week was a bit meh! Both Lily and I felt quite out of sorts. Nothing I could put my finger on but I was initially putting it down to being overtired - settling in to the new school year, trying my best to complete my studies (I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the end of this week), and pushing myself to get back into some form of exercise routine. Looking back now, I think it's clear we were suffering with some sort of virus. Several evenings I was so shivery, I was wrapped up in a blanket on the sofa. Now, I am aware I feel the cold very easily but this felt a little extreme, even for me, and I have since discovered it has been affecting quite a few people, a sort of primary school version of fresher's flu.

My original plans for the weekend involved a steep climb and the promise of some glorious views but, given how washed out I was feeling, this was definitely not a good idea. Any time I've been under the weather, as well as some early nights and making sure I'm eating properly, I always feel better for a good dose of sea air, so with this is mind, instead, we went to the beach. And I'm so glad we did. It was just the nicest way to say goodbye to our summer. The temperatures were unseasonably high and it was lovely to have this last opportunity to paddle in the sea, breathe in the fresh salty air, and feel the warm sunshine on our skin. 


I'm pleased to say we are both now feeling much better and, with the ending of our summer days,  I'm looking forward to what autumn holds in store.
J. X

56 comments:

  1. We all have those meh times. We don’t feel 100%, but not sick enough to stay in bed. The good thing is that strength is renewed and we are back to our old selves in a short time. I hope this is a better week for you and Lily.

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    1. We are both feeling much better now, thank you Arleen. X

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  2. Hi Jules glad you are feeling a bit better now.x
    Sad to see the summer end, I do like Autumn though, mind you I say that about each of the seasons, every season has something magical about it. xx

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    1. I think my love of the season comes from being a summer baby, although I'm really looking forward to some proper autumn weather now. X

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  3. Pleased you're feeling better. I can see Lily is getting so tall now. When I worked in a school many many years ago it was very common to go down with all sorts ailments when everyone got back in the classroom.

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    1. Thank you, Tania. Yes, Lily has shot up this last year, she's growing far too quickly for my liking. It's surprising how many people have been feeling under the weather since our return to school. I'm just relieved we got off lightly this time. X

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  4. I'm glad you're feeling better. There's so many bugs that do the rounds at this time of year, I'm not sure if it's because the schools open their doors once again or if it's because of the change in weather. I think a trip to the coast is just the thing, it certainly looks beautiful, and Lily seems to have had a growth spurt.

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    1. Thank you, Jo. I'm think it's been a combination of a few things but I'm relieved to say we're both feeling much better now. Lily has had a growth spurt and is looking so tall all of a sudden. X

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  5. So sorry that you and Lily have not been feeling great. There must be a lot of this shivery thing going around as despite the still fairly reasonable temperatures I have been feeling really cold and some sofa snuggling has been taking place wrapped up in my Winter dressing gown.
    Leek and potato is one of my favourite homemade soups. It's just so comforting.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. I'm just relieved we were let off lightly and didn't suffer as badly as some. I couldn't understand why I was feeling quite so cold when the temperatures were still mild. X

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  6. With the rain lashing down today it’s hard to believe how lovely the weekend was. Glad you are feeling better and had chance to pop to the seaside. Your photos are lovely and cheering. Definitely soup and stew weather now. Have a good week. B x

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    1. Although the temperatures are still mild, it's been raining almost solidly here for the last couple of days. I'm so happy we could make the most of the sunny weather at the weekend. X

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  7. Wondering what "fresher's flu" is....? High School Freshmen, perhaps? But in younger grades...? Hitting, when children/parents are a bit overwhelmed by the beginning of another school year...?

    You listened to your body, and changed your plans, and it turned out, to be perfect. Wonderful! Our body always knows, what's best for us. :-)))) You both had the best closing of summer. And are now ready, for a beautiful Autumn.

    Gentle hugs...

    🍁🍂🍎🍁🍂



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    1. Fresher's flu is a term used to describe these same symptoms (but with the addition of alcohol) in students starting their first year at university. A general feeling of being run down and more susceptible to illnesses. X

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  8. Glad you are both feeling better. What a wonderful way to finish off the season at the beach particularly with the weather so good.

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    1. We had a lovely time at the beach. It's always a joy to feel the sand between my toes. X

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  9. So glad you have both started this week in a better frame of both body and mind.

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    1. Thank you, Pat. We're both feeing so much better now. X

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  10. What a lovely way to say goodbye to summer! I hope you both feel much better, now, and the trip to the beach helped. Here's to a wonderful autumn!

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    1. I must admit, we had such a lovely day, Bless. It was a perfect end to our summer. X

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  11. A good old blowing out of the proverbial cobwebs...maybe a small medicinal glass of something too! x

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    1. I'm sure I don't know what you mean Jackie 🍷 although, just this once, I didn't!

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  12. I am sad to have left the beach behind but it was so nice to be there during the good weather last week - it has been dull and miserable with rain here in West Yorkshire today. My granddaughter's school have had the same virus - hope you all fel better soon. How Lily has grown suddenly I had not noticed quite as much in previous photos! x

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    1. Although, not the best start to a new school year, I expect it's quite a common occurrence. I hope your granddaughter has managed to avoid it.
      Lily has grown very tall all of a sudden. X

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  13. I'm glad to hear that both you and Lily are feeling better now.

    Weather is finally cooling down here as well. Especially in the morning. :)

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    1. Thank you, Nil. It's still feels very mild here, although it has rained persistently for the last two days. I'm ready for some cold, bright autumn weather. X

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  14. Glad to hear you are feeling better. Vitamin Sea is a wonderful remedy isn't it. xx Susan

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    1. Thank you, Susan. You can't beat a good dose of fresh sea air. X

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  15. I'm glad to hear you are feeling better now. The photos are so pretty...

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    1. Thank you, Stephenie. I'm excited to catch up with the news of your cabin. X

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  16. Glad to hear you're both feeling much better, there's nothing like a good dose of sea air to blow away the cobwebs and lift the mood and it looks like you had a gorgeous day for it. Love the photos, especially the first one :)

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    1. Thank you, Eunice. The sea air must have done the trick, as we're both feeling so much better now. X

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  17. I'm glad to hear you're both feeling better. Living on the coast we get good, fresh sea air all the time, so we're very fortunate. Take care. Best, Jane x

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    1. Fresh sea sir makes all the difference. X

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  18. I'm glad you're feeling better. What a wonderful way to enjoy summer's last hurrah! I always find a good dose of sea air restorative, too. x

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    1. Thank you Mrs. T. Fresh sea air always makes me feel better. X

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  19. Good to hear you and Lily are feeling better - she's growing up fast now isn't she :) I always find beach time good for raising the spirits and blowing the cobwebs away.

    I'm sure your study results will be fine and hope they lead you on the path you want to be on.

    I'm now going to order leeks from Tesco because believe it or not I've had a craving for leek and potato soup this week but haven't added them to the list - so your post was very timely :) xx

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    1. Thank you, Suzanne, the sea air definitely helped. I hope Thomas is feeling better now, as well.
      I'll be relieved to see an end to my studies. Just one final push tomorrow and it should be complete - fingers crossed.
      I love soup, and leek and potato is one of my favourites. Do you like it smooth or chunky? X

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  20. What a beautiful end to summer, I did enjoy seeing your photographs and so pleased that both you and Lily are now feeling much better.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. Last weekend seems like a distant memory now, as it's been raining every day since. X

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  21. I am sorry to hear that you have been feeling unwell, but glad to hear that you are on the mend. My mum was a primary school teacher for over 25 years, she always used to say that the first half term back a school was full of illness. Hope you manage to get your studies completed.

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    1. Thank you for your good wishes. I'm pleased to say we're both feeling much better now. X

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  22. Glad you & Lily are feeling better now. September term is always one for plenty of bugs, once the children are all together again. The beach is best place to lift the spirits and get plenty of fresh air! You will feel so relieved when your studies are over :)

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    1. Thank you, Ann. We've always manged to escape the back to school viruses, until now, but I'm pleased to say the sea air has put paid to any remaining germs, so we're feeling much better now. X

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  23. Sorry you didn't make your summit, but well done for being smart enough to know you had to change your plans - and those blue skies did look amazing.

    I am a day late so good luck today with your study-related activities.

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    1. I was a little disappointed but Helvellyn was out of my reach last weekend. I was looking forward to those beautiful views over Thirlmere too. Another time. It's not going anywhere.
      Study related activities are now complete! X

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  24. Glad to hear you're feeling better, and Lily too. Feeling out of sorts is strange because it's so hard to describe. Usually if I feel lime that it is because I've been eating too many carb-heavy foods. My body reacts almost immediately and I too feel meh!! I must be very finely tuned, haha. Unfortunately we live too far from the sea for me to use it as a remedy. I can dream though.

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    1. Thank you, Eloise. I hate feeling generally under the weather, as I start imagining all sorts. I'm relieved to say we're both feeling much better this week. X

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  25. Some lovely photos. Glad to hear you're feeling better.

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  26. I'm so pleased that you're both feeling better. I hate that out of sorts feeling where you can't quite put your finger on what's not right.
    Your soup sounds lovely, a small compensation for the end of Summer and your gorgeous beach photos have me pining for Greece despite only coming back the day before yesterday!
    It was lovely between showers today, pottering around the garden in a vest and sandals but the temperature's dropped now, I've even brought the tortoise in! xxx

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    1. Feeling out of sorts is just rotten. I'm so relieved we're both feeling much better now.
      I have enjoyed seeing your photographs of Greece - I could almost feel the warm sun on my skin. With it having rained almost solidly here for the last few days I am feeling in need of some bright sunshine. X

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  27. Just found your blog, Jules, great photos. Hope you will feel better soon.
    Margaret P

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