AUTUMNAL RAMBLING...

We are having crisp, autumn days - to me that's preferable to the limping disappointment of summer's cold grey cloud cover. I've been sitting and walking outside while I still can, trying to absorb as much sunlight as possible. Sitting on my little terrace I became aware that it was full of cobwebs, so little had I used it this year. I think I have sat out there less than five times.

The leaves are turning orange already. But of course autumn means there's a long winter of rain ahead, which will only be relieved in six or seven months by a few pretty spring days; then another shitty summer where everyone spends the whole time being hopeful that a burst of warm weather will last longer than two days. And it never does. Sigh. I finally realised, looking at my growing collection of cute summer dresses, that all you need here is two. The one summer dress I bought this year was worn twice; the first time on a bona fide hot day and the second time - in July - with thick wool tights, a wool cardigan and a scarf.

I'm trying to stay positive, use the impending dark months as an excuse to buy loads of winter clothes, which after all are somehow more satisfying than summery things. But judging by the coats bulging out of my wardrobe it's not about needing more warm clothes, or even having the disposable cash to buy them. Buying a thick woolly jumper or scarf makes you feel like you're wrapping yourself up all cosy against the cold, a sort of modern way of putting another log on the fire.

{pic: Sessun}

p.s. and a bit of GOOD NEWS