Last of the summer whines
AUTUMN IS DEFINITELY HERE...AND
FAR from being the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, autumn is the season of marmite: you either love it or loathe it.
For some, the nights drawing in are a miserable sign that summer’s over. Others take it as an opportunity to buy a new throw and cuddle up on the couch for Strictly.
It’s all a matter of perspective. Me, I adore autumn.
For a start, unlike the so-called ‘hotter’ months, you’re never disappointed with the weather. It will never spoil a day out or ruin a picnic because, come October, you expect it to be grey and chilly; anything else is a bonus.
Plus, we don’t do well with heat anyway in the UK – when it ever actually arrives. As a nation, aircon doesn’t come as standard. We moan it’s too warm when the thermometer tops 20 degrees.
I reckon we’re secretly far happier when we know where we are, brolly in hand, on cool, rainy days making jokes to strangers about building an ark.
Then there’s autumn food. I can take or leave strawberries in June or Pimm’s in August. I’m all about making jam from blackberries and crumble from apples. Or I would be if I was Prue Leith.
The days of salad are over, replaced by mighty pies and filling stews – and the slow build up to the glutton-fest of Christmas.
What’s that you say? What about the weight we’ll all gain?
No probl e m because our muffin tops will be hidden by our autumn wardrobe.
Summer demands shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops, even when you’re just off to Tesco. That, however, requires effort – painted toenails, shaved legs, perhaps a touch of false tan to take the glare off the white of your shins.
Autumn arrives and it’s hello to boots and jeans and jumpers (elasticated waists, anyone?) and hey presto I’m saving a fortune on Bic razors and moisturiser. Plus, who doesn’t love a new coat? Some think autumn dull, but it’s alive with brilliance – and not just on the telly schedules. From the deep reds and luscious browns of fallen leaves and conkers to the smooth orange skins on pumpkins yet to be carved and silver and gold fireworks in the night sky, it’s a season awash with colour. The disappointment of summer is over, the long haul of winter is still to come. Autumn is the beginning of the end of another year. A time to reflect but also to look forward and to plan for a new start. And who among us wouldn’t raise a toffee apple to that?
I COULDN’T BE HAPPIER TO SEE THE BACK OF THE UNCOMFORTABLE, UNPREDICTABLE, ANTI-CLIMAX OF A SEASON THAT IT REPLACES