I always assume that I am alone in not especially liking summer – that’s my solipsism in action for you – but in fact whenever you talk to anyone about their favourite time of the year, or favourite season, it’s almost never high summer. Some people seem to enjoy summer more than others but given a clear, free choice, almost no-one says that they like summer the most. They always say “Spring” or “those cold but bright winter days” or “autumn”. I asked Twitter and probably one person of the 40 or so who replied said summer. Nigel Slater – NIGEL SLATER!!! – said “Whenever it snows”.
So we’re all just slogging through it, it seems. We’re all just getting it done – although I’m not especially hating summer this year the way I have done previous years.
It helps this year that we’ve had some doses of sunshine, a couple of heat waves. Because when you have a shit rainy summer like we had last year, you look forward to Autumn simply because you’re so fed up with the disappointment of terrible summer weather. But when you have a good, hot, sweaty summer you can think: right, done that. And really look forward to Autumn for what it is.
MAN my Autumnlust is bad this year. I like Spring, but I love love LOOOOOOVE Autumn. And this year I’ve gone insane for it, since about June, like in the way that some people talk about wanting a baby. I’ll be wandering along, minding my own business and blam into my head will pop a vision of an apple pie, some autumn leaves, plaid curtains, a log burner.
I occasionally put “Autumn” into Pinterest and my feel my pupils actually dilating at the search results like a teenaged boy in front of YouPorn.
Anyway I have no conclusion to draw from this. But I do think it must be an excuse for some marvellous pictures:
With you every step of the leaf-jumping, wood smoke-smelling, looking-forward-to-hot-chocolate way!
YEEESSSSSS to all the above! Autumn is hands down the best season
I’m SO with you Esther. Fed up of summer and lusting after coats, boots, scarves and crisp, cold mornings…
Yes, absolutely. Autumn. I love the idea of Summer, but my god it’s a tyrant. Autumn doesn’t demand that you ‘do it right’. Summer makes you feel like a failure if you sit with the curtains closed and the Lego out because it is just too hot for anything else. You have to fill that paddling pool even if they’re only in it for like a minute, have a glass of Rose when actually you want a cup of tea, take your kids to the park to have their toys snatched and be pushed over when they would be happy watching telly (particularly bad, busy park experience yesterday), start potty training because it’s the right weather for it. I love the beach, and like anticipating Summer in Spring, and remembering it in January when I want to top myself it’s so dark and awful, but I am soo looking forward to Autumn; clothes feeling right again, knowing what to cook for dinner, trees in colour, blue clear skies with a chill in them, no one suggesting another sodding picnic. Autumn days when the grass is jewelled etc etc etc
I was in a minority when I tweeted ‘Spring’ I think! When my children were young I liked Autumn too – for when they returned to school! Haha, but seriously, as I get older I yearn for light and Spring and Summer and when the evenings draw in I now feel a little melancholy! Once Autumn is established, however, it’s fine… I’m looking forward to trying your sausage cabbage casserole you mentioned the other day.
Autumn all the way.. I love it… got married on Oct 4th with visions of falling leaves and crisp mornings..except I live in Spain and it was 32 degs..so had to ditch the planned outfit for fear of self combusting and even our honeymoon in Italy was blighted by a heatwave…I miss the english Autumn..the bonfire smells, the glorious colours of the leaves, warming food,anticipation of the run up to Christmas which is always so much better than the actual day..ah well…. you can’t have everything I guess..
Oh God, yes, me too.
My favourite month is September. Part of that is that I am a nerd and really like the back to school feeling (I like being in a routine). But it’s also the start of Autumn – not freezing yet! – but you can wear a jumper.
Yeah me too, although not the days it rains and rains and rains but the crisp, crunchy, frosty days. So, good jumpers… Anyone?
I am with you. So much so that I am starting up a shop stocking only winter woolies, socks & blankets. Summer is overrated & over long.
All of the above for me too, but article and comments!! I have been yearning for Autumn, and yes winter too, since ummmm May?! I do like occasional lazy, breezy summer days, and when the countryside wakes up in spring and looks all fresh and new, but give me autumn and winter and I am VERY HAPPY, even when it rains endlessly!
Being from Australia, everyone assumes I must absolutely love Summer, but I really, really, don’t – and I’m liking it less as I get older. Christmas in Australia last year was between 35-45 every day for two weeks, and I nearly died, was never so happy to get on a plane back to England as I was after that trip. Give me Autumn any day, when I can wear coats, boots and layers of lovely soft knits. Aaaaaahhhhhh.
Oh, my god! Yes to this… to all of this! After the third week of 90F+ temps I have also been fantasising about pie and cardigan sweaters, evenings sat round the fire, cups of cocoa! ‘Scuse me, I’ll be over on Pinterest…
I have always been drawn by the north and the cold (I’ve lived in the Outer Hebrides and Wick and I now live in the Highlands) my dreams have always been set in an autumn glow, wrapping up warm, wood burners, apple crumble, getting all my scarves out, short skirts with thick tights and rigger boots, trying to find my gloves, oxtail stew……………..lovely, can not wait! x
Oh my goodness this struck a chord, especially as I live in LA now and it’s relentlessly, boringly sunny all year long. Homesickness and winterlust are one and the same. And don’t get me started on Christmas, Americans have NO idea how to do it properly.
In the Dordogne and it is 35 degrees at almost 10pm. Just keep yelling “don’t touch me” at my husband if he so much as nudges me with an elbow. Am hallucinating autumnal scenes.
Me too! We have recently moved to Asia and it has been the hottest summer on record for a really long time. Yesterday it was crisp, breezy and blue skied and I felt my heart soaring in anticipation of Autumn. I’m craving it. Might get a stove of some description for the deck so we can sit out under the stars next to a fire wrapped up in cosy blankets. Heaven.
I always feel like there is something in the air during the Autumn season. It’s like an anticipation of the coming Winter cold. Although I will admit, even though I get excited for Summer after a long, cold winter, I still can’t wait for the special time of the year called Autumn!
I have an Autumn board on Pinterest where I drool over American front porches decorated with pumpkins and gourds.
Linda I must quickly follow you on Pinterest. that is my idea of heaven
Sorry for late reply! http://Www.pinterest.com/loubylou67/
Autumn, of course and it’s my birthday in October.
Autumn is easily my favourite season for two reasons. One: I like being a lazy slob and lying in my bed with a pot of coffee and a book when free time allows for it. Autumn seems to be the only time of year other non-slob people find this acceptable. Two: I have red hair and an intolerance for heat (I say heat, anything over 12 degrees makes me murderous) so only in Autumn do I ever look remotely sane, calm and composed. Plus, red hair against Autumn leaves lets me blend in to the foliage to avoid over-sociable fellow dog walkers.
I spend the whole of Summer checking the weather app in the blind hope the numbers turn blue!
I’m utterly livid that they’re still red in September!! Screw Summer, Autumn is where it’s at!
Katie xoxo
It is pleasure, well written…but just over our shoulder:
https://flahertylandscape.wordpress.com/2016/10/13/descent-without-mercy/