...is coming to an end, and even though we are now having all the sun we were so NOT getting in July and August, the days are shorter and the mornings crisper, and everything points to the undeniable fact that The Summer We Did Not Have is well and truly over.
For two weeks or more now, we've had the most wonderful weather; it has been around and above 25 Celsius (that's 77 Fahrenheit, the very useful conversion tool I found on the internet tells me) most days, today being no exception.
This gave everybody, myself included, the chance to wear their summer dresses, skirts, short-sleeved tops and sandals, and the street cafés and icecream parlours in town still attract quite a crowd.
Of course I am very grateful for this belated summer, and as far as I am concerned, it can keep going for another month - the cold, wet days and weeks will be here soon enough.
These pictures capture, I think, quite well what it is like here these days:
Asters from my parents' garden.
A butterfly - it is an Admiral, I think - near my bedroom window (the picture is so lopsided because it wasn't easy to take; I did not want to go too close with the camera so as not to scare the butterfly off).
Last year, we went down to Clarke's village in early December. I was amazed to see a Painted Lady butterfly on the Christmas decorations. How incongruous is that!
ReplyDeleteA real one, you mean? Alive? That truly is amazing! I don't know where exactly Clarke's village is, but over here, there are certainly no living butterflies around that time of the year. At least none I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteSounds like lovely weather. What an amazing butterfly! I have never seen one that before.
ReplyDeletee
Yes, it is a Red Admirawl - nicely caught. Here in England we tend to call those Asters Michaelmas Daisies. Since it's Michaelmas Day today they are very appropriate! Michaelmas is generally considered the start of Autumn but the sun here is hotter than it has been all 'summer' which like yours was non-existent.
ReplyDeleteI think I feel like you about this indian summer - better late than never! It is lovely because the trees still have their leaves but they are turning all kinds of subtle colours. And in the bright sunlight it looks so pretty.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, it is lovely! And this butterfly is one of the most common ones in my part of the planet.
ReplyDeleteThanks for confirming, Scriptor, and for letting me know about the Michaelmas Daisies - you know, I've had that name come up in books often but never knew what the flowers actually looked like (and never remembered to do a little research), so, thank you once again!
Jenny, yes, and there are such beautiful flowers in the gardens; chrysanthemums and the roses still part blossom, part rose hips, as if summer is very reluctant to leave for another year.
Love Michaelmas daisies - almost as much as I don't love chrysanthemums (plus they're easier to spell!).
ReplyDeleteHopefully you'll get more days like these before Fall turns. And that butterfly is exquisite.
ReplyDeleteLove those flowers! Just perfect. Our September has been too hot. I want sunny and cool and breezy, please. :<)
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteI wanted so much to tell you those were Michaelmas daises yesterday! But I couldn't leave a comment until today! See if you get this one...
Frances, there aren't any flowers I do not love, although I have my favourites, of course.
ReplyDeleteSonia, looks like we're in for quite a few more, and I am determined to enjoy them all!
Nan, thank you! And don't worry, I am sure the cool days will be there soon enough.
Kay, yes, several people had problems leaving comments. Glad you could leave yours now :-)
September was a great month both here in the UK and in France where I spent several weeks with temperatures in the high 20s and 30s. However as I write this (3 October) I'm stranded in Glasgow because there are violent storm force winds forecast for the Minch this afternoon and many of the ferries on the West coast of Scotland are already stormbound.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I hope the storm subsides soon so that you can travel on!
ReplyDeleteWe're still having lovely warm days here, warmer now in October than what it was in July and August...