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).
DeleteYet here in New Zealand our days are getting longer, and the towels dried outside for the frst time in months.
ReplyDeleteAnd we're now struggling to get anything to dry outside. We need to move to NZ.
DeleteI am sure that you only arrived there a couple of weeks ago! Where did the time go?
ReplyDeleteYes, two weeks ago maximum! And the next 9 months will probably seem like 2 years!
DeleteSummer this year seems to have passed so quickly. The weather must have burned its way through those few months like a fire!
ReplyDeleteAt least we had a fabulous summer, the best for many years.
DeleteI find this time of year hard, I do love summer and saying goodbye is difficult, hopefully it will linger into September once this wet spell passes.
ReplyDeleteI like September. It's usually a calm month with pleasant temperatures and not too much rain. We shall see.
DeleteHow many bikinis do you have? Closure of your pool does not mean that swimming must cease. After all, The English Channel is just a short stroll from your bijou Brighton townhouse.
ReplyDeleteIt's too cold. I suffer at 21 C, and I believe the Channel is usually around 13 C. No thanks.
DeleteYour summer has flown by. You had good times and great visitors. But autumn is definitely in the air, even here.
ReplyDeleteYou're very organised. All ready to roll on to winter and your Brighton tomatoes!!
My next door neighbour has just sent photos of our Tomatoes. They look great, but not very many.
DeleteCro, Are you arriving at your Summer home each year late into each Summer. It seems like yesterday. What if you headed off out there in early May. That would surely make it a worth long hot Summer.
ReplyDeleteOh that tall Mediterranean palm tree is looking spectacular.
We usually come here early June, and return early September. We may think again about our timing. We only have 3 months.
DeleteThe outdoor pool here, has become to frigid for all but the most hearty, the indoor pool is nicely heated and expanded hours start Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteWe've just closed it down. It was a nice sunny afternoon so we decided to do it. Just when we finished it started to rain. It looks so awful with it's cover on. Tant pis!
DeleteGoodness - Where does the time go - I'm certain that it speeds up the older I get - When I was a child time went so much slower - flis x
ReplyDeleteI feel like that too. Time is precious.
DeleteIt is hard to believe that another Summer is coming to a close. It seems like you just arrived in France.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like that to us too!
DeleteAre you only allowed one visit a year. I was wondering if you could stay nearly 3 months then drive down to Spain (Donostia-San Sebastian) have a fortnight's holiday and then return for another three months
ReplyDeleteSince Brexit we can only spend 3 months here in any year. We could get a 6 month visa, but we're actually quite happy with just the 3. Becoming resident has extra Tax implications, which we don't need. Being in Brighton has its advantages.
DeleteHow quickly the time has flown, it seems like only yesterday you were preparing for your journey.
ReplyDeleteHow delighted you must be to know that on your return to Brighton, the "fragrant" Angela Raynor has taken up residence nearby. She now has three residences to choose from!