Summer

One of my friends the other day was complaining about someone mowing the lawn early on a Sunday morning. Yes, well, that’s a sign of summer. When I think of summer I think of noise. Windows are open to let in some air and noise. lawn mowers, kids playing, ice cream vans (around here it’s constant, one after the other) birds squawking, dogs barking, music blasting. Where do you get some peace? Maybe I’m being petty, I’m not really a lover of summer.

Parents let their children play out later because it’s still light and warm. In the meantime I’m trying to keep my little ones in their routine, but they can’t sleep because they can hear the other children. Even with black out curtains they know it’s light outside and don’t want to go to bed until it’s dark. Night times become a struggle, and then they are up early again the next morning because it’s light, or because the birds wake them up with the dawn chorus. I don’t get much sleep in summer. Not just because of the kids but who can sleep when it’s hot and sticky, so you open the window and let in all the noise.

Then of course you get outside parties. It generally starts with a Barbecue, then the alcohol flows and the music gets louder and the noise goes on until the early hours.

Another mum in the school playground was complaining because it wasn’t so hot as it was yesterday. No, at last, it was bearable. I hate feeling hot and sticky, it makes me tired, it makes my feet sore when walking. Bright sunshine gives me massive headaches, and I hate the way that sunglasses slide off the sweat on my nose. I don’t like getting sunburnt, so I have to put on smelly suncream which makes me feel like I’ve basted myself for the roasting. When I was 17 years old I had the worst case of heatstroke and I actually got sunburnt on my eyelids so bad that I couldn’t open my eyes. My own fault for sunbathing..in my mum’s back garden.

Oh, and in the summer, everyone thinks it’s their right to drive around with their windows wide open blasting their music.

I’m sorry for being such a downer on Summer!

If I’m honest I have to say that I really don’t like the cold either. However, you can get away from the cold so long as you stay indoors. I used to live in a drafty house with no insulation, no double glazing and no central heating. Back then you really needed a duvet on your bed. Seriously, who really needs one now? Our house is so warm in the winter, day and night, I’d be quite happy under a sheet instead. No longer do I have to shiver while I quickly change out of my (very warm and thick) pjs into my layers of warm clothing for the day. It’s not so good if you have to go out, especially when it’s so cold it doesn’t matter how much you wrap up warm there is always some part of you suffering.

I love snow, so long as I don’t have to go out in it. Yes, it’s very pretty picture indeed when every is covered in whiteness, and everything is blissfully quiet. It’s always best though when it’s outside and you are in. As for driving in the snow, no thank you. Nope, I stay indoors if I can.

I truly think that Spring and Autumn are the best seasons. Not too hot or too cold. In Autumn everything dies, leaves, flowers, plants, the animals that hibernate disappear. The trees change before your eyes in glorious colour before becoming barren and bare. Then in the spring time, everything comes to life again and the dullness of winter changes to the brightness of blossoming flowers and trees.

Back to Summer though, because it is summer right now. Apart from all my moaning I do actually enjoy having the children at home for the holidays. I love trips and holidays and especially the sea side. I love being able to let the children out into the garden as often as possible to run around and play. I love having barbecues and summer parties myself. I love picnics and walks in the woods or hills. I love that all my little ones have summer birthdays so loads of celebrations.

Ah see, I’m not so down on Summer after all.

How do you feel about Summer? What’s your favourite season?

Lovely summer days with the family

NB. All photos above where taken before Star’s neck trouble started. We are hoping that we’ll be able to enjoy some of this summer when her halo is removed.