Embracing summer
September 4, 2011 at 8:28 pm 4 comments
If there’s one thing I’ve noticed over the past ten weeks or so, it’s that the English know how to embrace summer. They’re just so gosh darn enthusiastic about all six days of it.
The sun’s out, the lock’s working overtime with boats popping in and out, people on canal boats are waving cheery hellos and ‘lovely day!’s to passersby, people are out walking and exercising their black labs (no other dog will do, unless it’s a chocolate lab, of course), the barbecues are smoking, the fetes, open days, Pimm’s parties and punting go on until dusk.
This has all hit home for me today as the weather has been all over the place this week. Friday saw the temperature ‘soaring’ (bless them) to 28 degrees celsius or so. It was only the following two days, overcast, windy and around 17 degrees, that I realised people weren’t ready to let go. The convertible tops were still down. The children were desperate to continue cavorting in the local park’s paddling pool. Only my kids and another little girl (who I later found out was Italian, which explained a lot), watched on in horror. You’ve got to give them top marks for enthusiasm.
All of this summer fun has made me realise how much we Aussies take our fantastic weather for granted. I mean, when was the last time you exited the house, saw the sun and felt the need to strip most of your clothes off? Probably not since you were two years old, I expect. Well, I’m not taking it for granted anymore (though I’ll most likely remain clothed, thanks very much). I’m making sure I soak up the last few rays, because it’s going to be the last bit of sun I see for some time. The kids return to school on Tuesday (hallelujah!) and, apparently, by half-term in October it will be dark. By 4pm. Shudder.
So, all you Aussies heading into the warmer months… enjoy! Try doing summer the English way this year and embrace every second of it. Oh, and if you fancy a three-quarters full bottle of Pimm’s, let me know (I embrace only within limits — that stuff is disgusting).
Entry filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: .
1.
readingwithtea | September 4, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Save it (does it keep?) for next summer and foist upon unsuspecting house guests? Today 55,000 cyclists took to the streets of central London because they shut off a few roads to traffic and it was awesome. Apart from the rain and the coats we had to wear.
2.
allisonrushby | September 4, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Should have popped down to London for the day and done the holding the beverage by the side of the road thing!
3.
Vegemite Wife | September 4, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Just found your blog! Love it. Welcome to the UK – and good luck, the first winter is a shocker, but you get used to it. Further north the winters are longer/darker and the summers non-existent! I envy you being South of the country!
4.
Mum | September 5, 2011 at 5:55 am
Hold onto that Pimms. I like it. Even in December.