And All At Once, Summer Collapsed Into Fall.

Hi everyone. That’s a lovely saying, isn’t it?  This past week, I’ve been spending a few days in Ibiza with daughter number 1, where the temperatures are still in the high 80’s.

I landed  at my local airport, and was almost blown off the flight steps as I disembarked from the aeroplane!  Apparently, the U.K. was being battered by Storm Ali in my absence.  

A lady was killed in Cornwall, when a caravan blew over the cliff 😳. Wow!  

As I sit here writing this on Saturday evening, I’ve got the first fire of the season going in the wood burner, so it’s lovely and cosy. 

It was dark by 7.45 pm, so Autumn 🍂 is really on its way, although we’re supposed to be having some warmer, sunny days next week, when I hope to get out walking with daughter number 2.

I feel so blessed to have my two daughters, who are really good company.  Although one of them lives in Ibiza at the moment, fortunately the other one lives less than five minutes away 😊.  

So then, only another week and we will be into the month of October - the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.  I’m looking forward to the new season, I must admit. 

Cooking a lovely roast dinner once again, chicken or slow cooked lamb. It’s been such a hot Summer over here, that it was all about light bites really. But who doesn’t love a good old roast? 

Summer, you’ve been wonderful, but it’s time to move on from sandals and crops, to boots and warmer clothing. 

So then, I’ll leave you once again, hoping that you are all keeping well and looking after yourselves. 

Almost the end of Summer ......

Here I am again then, writing this Post on the last Bank Holiday of the year here in the UK.  How I wish we had Thanksgiving, or something similar, to look forward to, between now and Christmas.  There, I’ve uttered the ‘C’ word, and it’s only August.  

In a couple of weeks, the children will be returning to school, at the start of a new school year, with a new Teacher to guide them through the next year, and so time rolls inexorably on.  I find it amazing sometimes to think that I am in the eighth decade of my life, but having lost close friends along the way, I am also very grateful to still be here to enjoy life.  I mentioned around 18 months ago, when I celebrated my 70th birthday, that they say that when you are in your 70’s, you are in the sunset of your life.  Well,  visiting my number 1 daughter and granddaughter in Ibiza a week ago, I was blessed to view a wonderful sunset.  As number 2 daughter and her young children were also with us, it made it doubly special.  

We have had a long, hot Summer this year, with cloudless blue skies during the day, and balmy Summer evenings.  What a wonderful treat!  Whilst I have enjoyed these lazy, sunny days of Summer, am I the only one who is now looking forward to the evenings drawing in, lighting the lamps and making the home a warm and cosy place, with the onset of Autumn 🍂,  putting  away the sandals for another year, and going back to wearing boots and long trousers. 

Each Season holds something very special for us to look forward to,  whilst we also reflect on Seasons past.  Perhaps that is one of the signs of getting a little older - reflecting on memories of times gone by.

Having said that, I also like to look forward - forward to making more memories with family and friends, and to realise how blessed I am. 

Toodle pip for now. 

Sunday Snaps...

(The above image is courtesy of Pinterest.com - all other images are my own).

Many moons ago, on my Blog, I used to run a feature called Sunday Snaps, so I thought I would share a few photos that I’ve taken during the past week

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You might notice that I snuck a little Sunday morning treat in with my fresh fruit this morning - and why not?!  It’s looking quite Mediterranean out there, isn’t it, as this wonderful Summer continues, with long days full of unbroken sunshine ☀️ and balmy evenings. It’s certainly going to be a shock to the system when it all ends!

One of the things that is a big plus for me, is that I haven’t had to cut the grass for ages. Usually, at this time of the year, I’m cutting it every five days. 

Mind you, the children break up from school for their six week Summer break at the end of this week, and that’s not usually a good omen, weather wise, if past years are anything to go by. 

Interestingly, the timing of the Summer school  holiday has existed since the 19th Century here in England,  and it is thought that it was so that the children could help in the fields at Harvest time!  Obviously, mechanisation has come a long way since then, and I’m sure many parents (and children) would like the holidays to be a bit earlier, when the days are at their longest. After all, by the beginning of September, the days are really starting to draw in again. 

I’ll close for now with a couple of latest photos of my family, who are such a blessing to me. Look after yourselves and I’ll drop in again soon. 

I’ve finally changed the Featured Post - you might be interested to see our narrow roads here in heavenly Devon!  Just click on the link at the top of the right hand sidebar. 

Not Friday Again Already, Surely?!

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening folks - there, I think I've covered all the greetings for wherever you might be in the world as you read this little Post. 

I simply can't believe that it's Friday again already - my life is simply disappearing before my very eyes, and at my age, that's not such a good thing !  I suppose I'm in the Autumn of my life.  Well, Autumn can be quite delightful, so I intend to sit back and enjoy the ride. 

To be honest, I am very grateful to still be around. I have lost several friends over the years that have died far too young.  A couple very suddenly, and a couple after suffering illness, but I'm grateful that they were in my life, and for the happy memories that they left behind. 

In this country, we talk about the weather quite a lot, but, my goodness, I'm thankful that our weather is fairly steady, when I look at what is going on in America at the moment. 

Raging fires in some States, the devastation in Texas, which I touched on in a previous Post, and now they have Hurricane Irma threatening to hit Florida quite soon. I pray for all those involved and that all my bloggy friends down that way will keep safe.  What a worry that must be!

My last Post involved the word Kindness. It's really spooky, but I have seen that word mentioned on Facebook quite a lot since I wrote it. I really like this picture ....

There is a little story behind the photo. Harper Collins UK made this postbox so that all those working in the building could post kind notes to each other, to coincide with publication of that little book on kindness. 

Well, my youngest grandchildren went back to school this week, so I won't be seeing them quite so much again now, but I'm grateful for all the fun and happy times that I spent with them during the Summer holidays. Memories made and precious times to be treasured. 

My eldest granddaughter returned to University this week, and I am so proud of her, as she starts her third year at Madrid University.  

So looking back, yes, it's been a good Summer and once again, I feel thankful. 

So little peeps, I wish you a happy weekend ahead, and for those in America affected by the weather, I hope you all stay safe. 

This one made me smile ....

So August is almost over ....

Hallo again lovely peeps. As I write this, here in England, we are enjoying a warm, sunny, long Bank Holiday weekend. Now I have to tell you that this is very unusual - Bank Holidays in this country are usually wet, windy, dreary affairs! 

People can be seen wandering aimlessly along, wrapped up as though it were Winter, battling the elements, and trying to put a brave face on things.  It's what we British do best!! 

But, this weekend, the weather Gods are smiling down at us and the weather is, well, just like Summer! 😊. In fact, this weekend is our last Bank Holiday until Christmas. (There! I've mentioned the 'C' word). 

Holidaymakers are heading to our wonderful beaches in their droves, blocking up the lanes for mile after mile, whilst local people try to find a peaceful spot to enjoy some family time,  before the children return to school in early September. 

Caravans crawl along our narrow roads, totally oblivious of the five mile tailback behind them.  Here are a couple of photos of places near where I live, to give you some idea of the roads around here....

Driving across Dartmoor, you also have  the sheep 🐑 that wander across the road! 

 

But it's sad to think that Summer will be soon be coming to an end, as the evenings gradually start to pull in. We were having a lovely Summer....we even managed a couple of heatwaves, would you believe, when people could be seen trudging along, muttering to themselves..."it's too hot!  It's TOO hot!!"  Alright, I'll admit it, that would have been me then.

But, of course, as soon as the schools closed for the Summer, everything went downhill, and August has been a very unsettled month. 

So this latest spell of lovely (but definitely not too hot) weather has come along just at the right time.

Talking about weather, my thoughts and prayers are with people in certain areas of Texas at the moment, with Hurricane Harvey causing widespread damage. 

Well, I think that's all for the moment, so I'll close again for now. 

Misty Summer Morning

A happy Sunday to you all.  It's one of those perfect Summer mornings here in heavenly Devon, with the mist rising across the fields - all is quiet and peaceful, with just the sound of a solitary bird singing on a nearby shrub. 

I love early mornings like this, when I could be the only person in the world, and everything is fresh and new. These moments refresh my soul, and make me forget about the fighting and violence I watched on my TV screen last night. Butterflies are fluttering amongst the roses, and I pause to count my blessings. So many good things to be thankful for.  

It's going to be a good day, and I am very lucky to be living here in the South Hams, the most beautiful part of heavenly Devon, and, yes, I'm proud to be a 'Devon maid', born and bred. 

Life is slower in our little corner of England, and I'm grateful for it. Right now, our little lanes are busy with holidaymakers who come down each year for the wonderful beaches, wild Dartmoor, and wonderful local food. I can think of nothing better, on a warm Summer day, than to sit outside, eating good food, with my obligatory glass of Rosè, looking at the sea. Bliss!  

So dear holidaymaker, it's lovely to have you here, but it will be wonderful to have our beauty spots nice and peaceful again! 

Even my little orchid is loving life at the moment!

Sending sunshine and positive vibes to all my Followers out there. Thank you for taking the time to read my rambling thoughts 😊

This And That, Some Memories And A Few Photos.

Good morning peeps.  It is I - had you forgotten me?!  I see my last post was dated the 25th June - eeeek! Where did that time go, and here we are approaching the month of August. 

I seem to remember as a child that August was always a wonderful month, full of sunshine and blue skies, sundresses and sandals, swimming and donkey rides, lying on the grass watching the fluffy clouds float by overhead, and picking out shapes. 

I do feel lucky in that I think our childhoods (for people of a certain age!) were much more relaxed, and yes, with less expected of us. We were allowed to be children and to enjoy those precious years. 

We were being blessed with a lovely Summer this year, over here in heavenly Devon, but as soon as the children broke up from school, yes, you've guessed it, the sun disappeared and the rains came. Hopefully the sun will return. 

In fact, it had been so hot, that my daughter suggested putting up a pool in the back garden. The little ones had a wonderful time! 

Since I last posted, my grandson had his 9th birthday and will soon be as tall as me! 

I was taken out for a very special lunch, as part of my on-going 70th birthday celebrations, and this week, another friend is taking me to the Theatre. I do love these 'big' birthdays !

And, of course, I've been on some lovely walks by the coast here in heavenly Devon. 

My two daughters and their families are all together in Ibiza at the moment. It makes me happy, as a mum, to know that they're making memories together with their own families. 

I can't end without also posting a photo of my beautiful eldest granddaughter, who is also spending the Summer in Ibiza, before she returns to Uni in Madrid at the end of August.

So then, I feel very blessed.  Blessed to be able to do the things I do, and blessed with a loving family and some very special friends. 

I hope that you are all doing well at the moment and I'll see you again soon. 

Mid-Summer Days Here In Heavenly Devon...

 

It's almost mid Summer's day, and we are being blessed with sunshine, bright blue skies and lovely warm air. How lovely it is to feel the warmth of the sun and to feel a cooling breeze. When we have weather like this, it really is heavenly Devon in my little part of the world. A time to drive to the coast and watch the sun disappear over the edge of the ocean, and when I'm driving my Mini to the beach, life suddenly seems much simpler and more relaxed.

 

The seasons change .... far too quickly for me these days... and, with this glorious spell of weather, the farmers are out making the first cut of the grass before the hay making begins. As you will see from my new header photo above, I see this at very close quarters!

 

 

We're having some glorious Summer evenings at the moment, and it's lovely to sit outside with a glass of Rosè and appreciate the garden, rather than working hard on it all the time.  Very soon, I expect the hot air balloons will start to float just above the fields. I had a ride in a hot air balloon once and enjoyed champagne at 1,000 feet. I enjoyed it, until it was time to land!

 

 

 

I really like this last quote (all quotes today are courtesy of Pinterest.com by the way, where you can find anything and everything).

In June, the world smells of roses, and I have more than my fair share in the garden at the moment..

 

 

 

 

I do hope that you are enjoying some sunshine as you read this, although I realise that for some of you, it will be the season of Winter. Anyway, wherever you are, try to take some time just for YOU - we have to look after ourselves, in order that we may help others.  Sunny and positive thoughts are coming your way from here in deepest Devon.