The long, hot, sunny days are behind us now, and predictably we are experiencing some mixed weather as we head into late summer.
We've had the best time this year and I'm grateful to have had the chance to enjoy some wonderful days outside, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air with Lily.
Last week, rather spontaneously and most unlike me, I arranged for us to spend a few days away on the South coast. The weather here had turned much cooler, we didn't have any plans and the opportunity of being able to capture some extra summer sun was too good to miss.
So it was on Monday morning we found ourselves making the long journey south towards Kent, and I'm so glad we did. The weather was glorious, we spent a lot of our time at the beach, treated ourselves to fish and chips, enjoyed a bike ride and it also gave us the chance to catch up with family we hadn't seen in a while. We visited the lovely little seaside towns of Whitstable and Herne Bay, walked along the shore to Reculver, and spent some time in Canterbury. (In future I must remember to check Lily hasn't sneakily put pebbles in the back pack after a day on the beach. I thought it seemed heavier than usual!) The shingle beaches took a bit of getting used to, but the fresh sea air was just the same.
Watching the sun set on our final evening, I realised that it had probably been the last week of warm sunny days, for us at least. Since our return home, there is an unmistakable change of the seasons in the air (we even drove through hail on our journey back!) and as I write this it is damp and grey outside. Next week will see a return to school and work, but before then I have name labels to sew into uniform and an earlier bedtime routine to establish.
J. X
J. X
It's great that you had a spontaneous last few days away to make the most of the remaining good weather. It's been grey, miserable and rainy here for the last two weeks, the last really good day was the day I went up on the fire engine platform at the fire station. Only a few weeks ago I was praying for rain to help put out the Winter Hill fire, now we have it I want the sunshine back! I love your first photo, which beach was it? And the sunset one is gorgeous :)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I'm still not getting email notifications of your posts, I found this from the reading list on my own blog. Must be some ongoing problem with Blogger somewhere but it's really annoying as I miss other people's posts as well :(
It's very unlike me Eunice, I surprised myself with the last minute part, but I'm so glad I did it, it gave us and extra week of warmth and sunshine.
DeleteThe first photograph is the beach at Whitstable and the sunset was from Herne Bay. I hope Blogger sorts itself for you soon. X
I think these spur of the moment getaways are sometimes the very best. I too try to hold onto summer for as long as I can but there's no getting away from the fact that there's a nip in the air now, we're having our first full day of rain for a very long time today too and the evenings seem to be drawing in fast. Lovely photos, especially the one of the sunset.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right Jo. It must be the first time I've ever been this spontaneous, maybe it's just the start of something. The weather has been a bit miserable since we returned but I hope we will have some dry days during this last week of our break. X
Deletelooks lovely especially the beach - where was everyone else? most likely paid a fortune to lie on a very busy beach abroad! well done for being so spontaneous.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of it like that, as I guess were just not used to beaches being busy. We were so lucky as the weather was so lovely, we could easily have thought we were abroad. I might just start being more spontaneous from now on! X
Deletejust gorgeous. Beautiful photos as always.
ReplyDeleteI thought I wasn't quite ready to wave goodbye to summer this year, despite the atrocious heat, but today is rainy and what do you know, it's got me craving autumn and dark days! ;o) xx
Thank you Sadie, and it's good to see you back. I'm quite looking forward to Autumn myself now, but it felt rather lovely to feel like we enjoyed an extra week of Summer weather. X
DeleteSounds like a great time was had, we should be more spontaneous, I think it does us all the world of good to have a change. Its rained rather heavily here today and I do feel cold, some tea lights and candles will be lit tonight to create a bit of cosiness. Hope Lily will enjoy being back at school, it will seem strange for you.xx
ReplyDeleteI know! I hope I might just be a little more spontaneous from now on. The evenings have become much darker all of a sudden and I'm sure I'll be lighting candles myself before long.
DeleteI think Lily is beginning to get ready for school to start and I am getting to the point where I need some structure to my day in order to get something achieved. It's going to be a busy year so I need to get more organised. X
I am so glad you were able to extend your summer, just a bit longer by going south for a few days, Jules. You and Lily have had such a lovely summer! Thank you for sharing it with us and letting us enjoy it with you. I hope there will be some lovely autumn days to enjoy, too, when the weather will be a little less grey and damp. Hope Lily is excited about going back to school!
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely Bless. We were so fortunate to have been able to enjoy those extra days of hot weather.
DeleteI am beginning to look towards Autumn now, and I can tell Lily is getting a bit twitchy and ready for school to start again. X
Back to school here too next week, my granddaughter is looking forward to seeing some of her friends again. It's been a lovely summer with plenty of happy memories for us all to recall in the darker months.
ReplyDeleteI've never visited that part of the UK, looks nice.
At the beginning of the Summer break September seems like such a long way off, but it soon comes around. It must feel like a long time for children, however, so your granddaughter will be excited to see her friends once again. X
DeleteYes, the weather has definitely turned. Autumn has arrived with a rather wet flourish - you timed your southern escape perfectly :)
ReplyDeleteIt really has Kate. We got such a shock when we returned home. Those extra days of hot weather were very welcome. X
DeleteIt sounds like a very nice trip. I love how the beach is not crowded at all.
ReplyDeleteHere it's almost impossible to find a beach like that in summer. :)
We had a lovely time, thank you Nil. I don't think I would be able to relax on a crowded beach. X
DeleteI laughed out loud at the pebbles in the backpack, mementoes of your few days away :) It's lovely to have a change of scenery and catch up with family too. Such a shame the weather has turned miserable for the last couple of weeks of the school holidays. You've made the most of the good weather and that's what counts.
ReplyDeleteI should have known better Eileen, it's just like Lily to do something like that. I wouldn't mind but she had already collected some in her bucket! They were big ones too. X
DeleteI love Kent. Looks like you had a lovely time.
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie. There are some beautiful places to visit and I'm sure we'll be back. Lovely to see you here. X
DeleteSuper photos, looks like you were in the right place at the right time:). It’s been damp and grungy up here and I do feel sorry for anyone who was hoping for a warm weekend in the Lakes, whilst Saturday was pleasant the last two days have been extremely damp.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jayne. It was great to be able to enjoy some extra sunny days. We were at the beach again on Saturday but it has been a bit grey and damp since then. X
DeleteI like doing something on the spur of the moment - it makes a change from doing lots of planning. Your last few days will be something to remember. I had to smile at the pebbles in the rucksack - I bought a shampoo on Sunday when cutting through John Lewis in Sheffield to the car park. There was 15% off on the Liz Earle counter which doesn't happen very often but I didn't have a bag so put it into my handbag. I forgot to take it out when I got home and have been carrying it around all day today wondering why my handbag was so heavy!x
ReplyDeleteMy spontaneity took me by surprise Vivien. Maybe it's just the start of something :).
DeleteI should have known better regarding the pebbles. Wandering around Canterbury with that extra weight (they were large ones!), I thought it was the bottles of water I'd taken with us. I wouldn't have minded so much if it had been Liz Earle shampoo. X
hee hee I dont do sewing :) How very cheeky of Lily to sneak some pebbles home :)
ReplyDeleteI don't do sewing either (yet), but I usually stitch Lily's name in to her uniform ,as once it's in I know it will stay put - and it's only straight lines :) Hope you managed to get Evie sorted with some shoes.
DeleteI wouldn't have minded the pebbles, but Lily had already got some in her bucket - the ones in my back-pack were extra. X
The area around Canterbury is lovely and I love the cathedral too. Your photos look beautiful. X
ReplyDeleteThere are some lovely areas to visit. We didn't go in to the cathedral this time, however, maybe when Lily is older. X
DeleteI can never quite get used to shingle beaches...looks lovely though x
ReplyDeleteIt's not quite the same as having sand between your toes is it? But it was quite comfortable to lie on. Sort of moulds around you like a bean bag. Surprisingly warm too. X
DeleteIt looks really lovely there Jules. I'm glad you got to enjoy a nice warm week away. We didn't get to the seaside unfortunately but never mind.....there is always next year.
ReplyDeleteI'm relieved I no longer have to do the name tape sewing or any kind of preparation for going back to school...lol.
Hugs-x-
We had a really great time, thank you Sheila. It's a shame you didn't make it to the seaside, I hope you get the opportunity next year.
DeleteI don't mind the name sewing so much, I just need to sit down and get it done. X
Those summer holidays have flow past in a blink, haven't they? I used to hate the end of them, although I confess to enjoying a day to myself the day the children went back to school. It's become very autumnal here (I love autumn but not in August!) though we are promised a warmer spell next week.
ReplyDeleteA day to myself would be a treat, but sadly not possible. I'm not complaining though ( alright, maybe just a tiny bit), as I am fortunate to be able to spend the whole Summer break with Lily.
DeleteThe weather is definitely late Summer with some occasional hints of Autumn. X
How lovely to spend some time in Kent, so pleased the weather was good.
ReplyDeleteThat last photograph of the sun set on your final evening is just lovely.
Enjoy these last few days of the school holidays and have a happy September :)
All the best Jan
It made a lovely change Jan, and the hot sunny weather was a bonus. We're almost ready to begin the new school year now but will make the most of the last few days of our break. X
DeleteNothing wrong with a bit of spontaneity,it's good for the soul.Love the photos,what Gorgeous scenery.Giggled about the pebbles.Glad you both enjoyed yourselves.xx
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Lee. I'm just not used to it, but I think I might try and be a bit more spontaneous from now on. I'll also remember to check the back pack more regularly. X
DeleteHow fun to have a spur of the moment getaway. I love shingle beaches, but I'm glad mine is sand.
ReplyDeleteOur trip was a bit of a treat. And I must admit, that although the shingle was fine for our time away, I do prefer a sandy beach myself. X
DeleteLovely photos of sunny days. It was definitely chillier in Northumberland while we were there. Bet you had a lovely time in Canterbury, there is so much to see and do. Hope the new term starts well. B x
ReplyDeleteLooking at the forecast it looks like the sunshine won't be around for the next couple of weeks, but it is, at least, going to be warm and dry. X
DeleteI have enjoyed reading your blog. Such wonderful photography. Thanks for stopping by. You must learn to sew! You could make such lovely things for your sweet one. Jo x
ReplyDeleteThank you Jo. Sadly I'm not sure I'd be much use with a needle and thread. It took me long enough to sew Lily's name labels last night. X
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