October
“I’m so glad we live in a world where there are Octobers”
Anne of Green Gables
One of the reasons we picked this part of the world to see out our own golden years was the seasons. If you asked my other half he would tell you he would like summer sun all year round, the hotter the better – but – I don’t believe that for a minute. The reason why everyone hankers for long summer days all year round, I suspect, is because during our childhoods and working years those were the months when we first had those long heady school holidays, six weeks of mucking around in fields, brooks, beaches and caravans, The two weeks away with sand in our sarnies and gulls in the air. I think we cling to those fond memories and aside from Easter – all that chocolate – Christmas – all those presents – Birthdays – all those parties – Summer is our happy memory place.
Consider though how monotonous a year of summer would be. I love September, the sun loses it’s fierce heat and becomes mellow yellow, the nights start to draw in, the evenings have a slight chill and by October we are dragging out a sweater or a wrap, a blanket and socks. The orchards here, we have a lot of orchards and we are the apple growing region of Europe, the trees in regimented rows drooping with green and golden and russet picked and filling the wooden crates on the back of tractors wobbling down country lanes to distribution centres. The huge hay bales sit like checkers on the rolling hills, the fields are ploughed and waiting for their next crop. The leaves are falling like golden litter on paths and roads. The vineyards laden with ripe fruit, the hedgerows full of berries or pecked away by marauding birds before they begin their journeys to warmer climes.
In October flocks of geese honk their way south in strict formation, a gulp of swifts and swallows and house martins swoop and glide in murmurations in the pinkling sky, the bats come out in a last hurrah to gobble up the midges and mosquitos before hunkering down to hibernate in our little loft above the terrace. We still get very warm days but the sun is lower in the sky and the pool is less inviting as early autumn rains and cool nights have turned the refreshingly chill water on a hot summer day to icy cold gets in your bones brain freeze, or maybe that is just me being fussy.
There are still warm days but the sun casts longer shadows, was still able to enjoy a lunch break at the beach when I had to take myself off to the coast to get my laptop sorted at the repair shop and get in a bit of shopping at the same time. Sat on a bench with a nearly empty beach in front of me, calm blue sea and almost cloud free sky. Nodding hello to the dog walkers, strollers and cyclists tootling on by.
I love my summer glow tan against my more autumnal colours, grey sweats and khaki greens, browns and blacks, the first time I migrate from flip flops all day to socks and pumps and breaking out the boots ooh what joy, it’s like getting a whole new wardrobe even though my old favourites make it through year after year. I’m packing away my summer frocks, my swimming cosies and I’ve wintered the beach chalet and locked it up until next season. In the same trip to the coast I went and got my hair chopped and had some autumn colours put in, copper and dark lilac, fancied a change!
I did host an afternoon tea for the ladies from the Pop Up Market and friends but was so busy chatting I forgot to take a single photo, which was a shame as I’d gone to town on the sandwich and pastry selection, ha ha ha. Sometimes you have to live in the moment and forget to Instagram. I did have some old friends over for coffee a week or so later and baked an apple and blueberry sponge a photo of that will have to suffice! The darker evenings have me getting all crafty, and this is one of my new tea cosies, queen of hearts. Now is the time for soups and stews, deadheading and cutting back, making jam and pickles with nature’s bounty, sorting through the craft room and having a general autumn clearout. No excuse for sitting down and eating cake all day, although it’s tempting!
A few final touches outside at the casa and finally got the mirrors fitted on the downstairs deck, sitting perfectly behind the antique wrought iron screen panels. Now when guests sit facing the wall they can see the view reflected. I think they look like windows and am really pleased with how they have turned out. I still haven’t made the cushion covers for the patio furniture and the sunlounger matresses are looking decidedly tatty. Another little job for indoors over the winter.
As we move from October into November it is our annual patron saint celebration here, Sant Narcis. There was very little to celebrate last year because of Covid but this year events are much more normal. I will still be cautious and avoid crowds but we can see the firework displays here more clearly from the house terraces than down in town, we can definitely hear the concerts, it’s like they are performing in the garden!
Clocks go back tomorrow, how quickly this year has passed, for many people this year has been tough. For our family too, we have lost people, close family, not to Covid but perhaps indirectly and it has been difficult to mourn and grieve at a distance. We have missed so many firsts too, new babies being born and no opportunity to celebrate. However, I am determined to live my life thankfully in honour of those that are no longer with us, I promise to savour every moment, cherish every new experience and love as much as I can.
I am ready for new growth, meeting with old friends to share new ideas and welcoming a whole new season in. Yes indeed my namesake was right I am glad we live in a world where there are Octobers.
