Summer

Summer bunting and flowers in our street - July 2010

In between hospitals and heartache, Summer has threaded itself effortlessly into my life and I am so very grateful. One American described this so perfectly today in a piece about enjoying life in Britain.

"British summers rarely deserve the opprobrium that’s so often laid on their short-lived shoulders. Compare them with those in eastern North America: a stupefying, three-month marination in a thundery haze of steamy days and nights that never cool down. Or East Asia’s metropolises, where still swampier conditions reign for fully half the year. I would never trade a London summer for a Toronto, Warsaw or Tokyo one. A good summer day in Britain is one of life’s finest pleasures: dry and warm but rarely scorching. Their very scarcity results in the sort of fevered indulgence you rarely see in California. And at Britain’s lofty latitudes the lovely, near-horizontal evening light, unlike the summer itself, seems to last forever"

It certainly does - even as the evenings are slowly starting to draw out. 

We intend to squeeze in some camping. The closest experience I will get to this is Herefordshire and the River Wye. I won't wish it upon us too quickly as that will mean wishing on the end of Summer. We aren't going til September 6th. And between now and then is one big old project that is causing us a fair amount of stress right now if offering up a welcome distraction: Buying our first appartment. The project resides with the bank at the moment. Sigh.

Comments

[Nicole]

Good luck with the apartment! :)

Nice picture!

[lady red]

It's great to have you back, alison! You must be very excited about the new apartment..I hope everything goes your way!

[Erik]

Just found your blog - thanks to Laura. Loved your Easter post and am glad you are back to writing again.

Have fun with camping! Have you ever been to the Batsford Arboretum? I ask because its my namesake and I hope to get there - someday.

[Kris, in New England]

I agree with the statement about summers in North America, particularly (and selfishly) in New England this year. In a word...

horrifying.

It's been an uncharacteristic summer here; that is the silver lining. It's rare that we have nearly 2 months of unceasing heat, humidity and unsettled & violent storms. A few weeks perhaps, but not like this year. From the middle of June right thru now...with a few breaks here and there.

I never like summer; I have asthma so the heat and humidity are not my friend. I just put my head down and push thru to my favorite time of year - Autumn. In New England it is spectacular.

And once again - so glad you are back Alison.

[Buck]

I'll agree with my compatriot on the quality of British summers, London's in particular. Summer was always my favorite time of year while I lived in your fair kingdom, especially the beer gardens in the country pubs out where I lived in Buckinghamshire. I spent more than a few fabulous evenings in those places.

That said... when you DO have that rare 90-degree day it is MISERABLE due to the general lack of air conditioning. I can only recall two or three such during my time there, tho.

Congrats on the apartment! I have my fingers crossed that the bank will see things through swiftly!

[alison]

Nice to see you again Lady Red & Nicole :)

Hi Erik - thanks & nice to meet you - never heard of Batsford but love the name :D

Kris & Buck - it was super hot here all through June and early July. All I had on my desk when the aircon conked out - a fan. I was relieved when the unsettled weather returned! Some sunny, rainy or just plain "white sky" days. Happiness. Cities are no place for heat.

I would love to visit your part of the world, Kris.

I am so nervous about the house, Buck. The bank is taking forever. Been 3 months processing the paperwork so far and we are solvent. It's a joke.

[Laura]

Sounds a hell of a lot better than summers here. Think "swamp."

This morning I walked out my door and nearly drowned just trying to take a breath.

[Kris, in New England]

Alison - any time you want to come to New England, it would be my honor to host you for a few days. We'd have fun I'm sure!!!

[alison]

I feel for you Laura srsly :(

I would LOVE to go to New England. My dream States in America would be New England or Washington. The latter has always stuck in my mind since I visited. The former from films.

[Kris, in New England]

Alison - New England in Autumn; late September into mid October. It is the perfect time here. Cool crisp days, cooler nights and the vivid colors of autumn. The whole place looks painted.