Has Somebody Flicked a Switch?
Most years we slip gently between the seasons here at Green Team Interiors HQ in leafy Hampshire (as we are obliged to call it), an area not usually known for dramatic transformations, with spring melting into summer and autumn slowly sneaking up on us with its riot of colour.
But not this year, oh no.
2022 continues to take us by surprise, one minute we were positively basking in temperatures approaching torrid Mediterranean levels, and the next thing we’re charging around looking for warm vests and long socks.
September came and went, and now we are in the foothills of October, drizzle and cold nights, buses with million Watt lights illuminating wet streets and rain-soaked faces. Is it too late to hope for an Indian summer? Well yes, it is.
So, the longer nights are upon us, time for pickle-making, doing that jigsaw or snuggling up with a good book and a glass of something warming…and that’s even before the clocks go back (fall back remember). On the subject of the word ‘fall’ for autumn, while it is most commonly associated with American English, ‘fall’ is actually the original English word, autumn only began being used here in the 18th century, taken from the French word automne.
NB. Clocks go back one hour at 2.00 am on Sunday October 30th.
And then, after brief stops for Hallowe’en and Thanksgiving, it’s full steam ahead for Christmas, although, truth be told we have been on a ‘Festive Footing’ for months now, putting together our Christmas displays, testing candy canes (somebody has to do it), checking fairy lights and taking orders for workplace decorations. In fact, we are well on course for another record Christmas, but there’s still time to place an order if you’re quick.
NB. Stir-up Sunday, the traditional day for mixing Christmas puddings is on Sunday November 22nd this year.
‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ oh yes, that Mr Kipling knew a thing or two about autumn.
