It only seems like yesterday when we were opening-up the pool, and looking forward to a Summer of swimming.
The weather forecast for the next week isn't good; Autumn has arrived. We're now having intermittent rain, with very little sunshine; even though the temperature is still around 20 C.
So, we've decided to close down the pool earlier than usual, in fact we've scheduled it for the next dry day (probably tomorrow). It's not a big job closing down, just a matter of covering the pool itself so that no creatures, leaves, or detritus can get in, and making sure that everything is turned off, and clean. It's no more than a morning's work.
I hate closing the pool; it's like a drawn-out way of saying a sad goodbye to a well loved friend. We won't be swimming for 9 months, but it seems like for ever.
And look; we have this extremely spikey Yukka (I think), which is having its first ever flower.
I've cut back all the fig branches by the pool gate, the Wisterias are all pruned, and one of the bigger Oleanders has been cut back to almost ground level. I'm told it will flower better next year.
Everything has been put away, locked away, and a note written of what I've done. That makes things simpler for next year when we open up again.
We've had our final swim (22 C), and we've stored away our trunks and bikinis.
Swimming is all over for another year!
It sounds as though you are getting ready for your migration north. Mornings are getting lighter here.
ReplyDeleteAnd our mornings are getting darker here, we've really noticed it recently. Yes we're packing up ready to return to Brighton this weekend. The weather has turned very autumnal here, so we might as well be in Blighty where there's more to do. I'm not looking forward to the journey.
DeleteAutumn has indeed arrived early this year. It's decidedly cooler - though not much rain. The trees' leaves slowly starting to turn colour. There is still something to look forward to when you arrive back in Blighty: Golden October or, as the English say, Indian Summer. A surge sometime in September/October.
ReplyDeleteAs the poet says: There is a season for everything. Just wish winters here were as I knew them from my childhood in the motherland. Lot's of snow. Plenty of sun. A season to be enjoyed not endured as is here.
Swim or no swim - enjoy whatever is left of your summer in France. Don't forget to gather some walnuts - or was it chestnuts - before you leave.
U
Sadly neither Chestnuts nor Walnuts are dropping yet. Nor are there any Mushrooms in the woods. We had some hunters and their dogs here yesterday, but I could do without them. I knew one of them! Yesterday afternoon it poured; so I lit a fire. We did have a final swim yesterday (21 C).
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