On the end of the summer that never was.

A brief hello before we resume normal service next week...

Greetings! As the summer holidays slowly wind down and we look forward to getting back into writing our weekly Digests and Nature Happenings posts again, we reflect briefly on the end of summer.

We would love to know, how has your summer been? Let us know by leaving a comment below, sending us an email or however you see fit.

---

Summer’s End

There is often a sense of sweet melancholy as summer slinks into autumn, but perhaps more so this year because summer as we hoped it would be never really came.

We waited with quiet longing for warm evenings, swims in rivers bathed in golden light, the buzz and hum of insect life and for dinners eaten outside as we watch swifts and swallows dart overhead.

A golden frond sends a phenological signal that a trend towards darkness has begun

Instead we received windy mountain summits and chilly dips in waterfalls, rain soaked valley walks and chips snaffled in our van parked by swollen becks or windswept beach carparks.

Now as tiny acorns form on oaks, and the hillsides of bracken swap their summer coats of vibrant green for more practical browns, there is a touch of sadness at the passing of what might have been.

Bracken turning brown on the hillsides around Wastwater

In truth, I have enjoyed the summer, such as it was. Often with hot, sunny weather comes a frantic energy, an urge to squeeze the most out of every last drop of daylight whilst you can. This year the pressure has been off. The days slower. Calmer.

Although it has been hard to discern which season we have been living through the past few months, autumn has started to hint at its imminent arrival. Plants and trees know with ancient wisdom that a shift has taken place, withdrawing precious resources, planning ahead for future growth. Occasionally a single leaf falls from above, whispering on its slow descent that an irreversible trend towards darkness is underway.

All is not lost however. Having had an autumnal summer, there’s no reason we won’t have a summery autumn. Although the days are shortening, there is plenty of warmth left in the September sun, should it decide to shine. Cool evenings allow ethereal blankets of mist to form in the valleys, and September has the best golden light.

With a few weeks left until the autumnal equinox and sunny days predicted, there’s still time to make a few more summer memories to tide you through the darker months, like a squirrel stashing nuts in preparation for lean times ahead.

However you choose to end your summer, we hope it’s been a good one and that the autumn ahead holds opportunity for adventures to be had and connections to be made.

---

That’s all from us for now, we plan to get back to our regular schedule next week and are looking forward to sharing what we’ve been up to!

With warm wishes from the three of us,

Andrew, Emma and Benji

x