COLOURS OF AUTUMN

Have long puzzled over the mass migration to the north of the country and the supposed delights of never ending sunshine, long walks on sandy beaches at sunset, barbecues whenever you feel like it, getting your washing dry the same day you do it, spending more time outside than in, lush tropical rainforests, rarely having to drag out a warm jumper…….hmmm, when you put it that way, I guess it does sound inviting.

Not for me though. Been there, done that, had my northern exposure for eight years, and there’s definitely another side to the equation. Mainly the heat, the never ending sunshine, the six months of dripping sweat, the humidity which breeds mould on your shoes at the back of the wardrobe, the cockroaches in every nook and cranny, the three showers a day in summer just to survive because you feel like peeling your skin off, the dirty sock smell of your washing because it’s been rained on and almost dried several times before coming in off the line, oh, did I mention the heat, and the never ending sunshine? Beautiful one day, perfect the next? Nah!

During my sojourn in the North, headed down south of the border on one occasion and began to sense something different but couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Took a while, but suddenly realised it was the presence of autumn colours, something I wasn’t accustomed to, unless you headed inland to cooler regions and happened to find some deciduous trees. Believe it or not, the perennial greenery can become tiresome, and the sight of the burnished tones of autumn can be a real tonic to one who delights in the cycle of seasons.

Woke to a crisp frost this morning, brilliant clear blue sky, a bite in the air to make you feel alive. Not sure I would’ve wanted to have felt quite as alive as those up on the Great Western Tiers at Liawenee today for the Trout Festival who almost managed a record low with -9C overnight. Don’t think the fingers would have been able to successfully bait a hook to throw in, nor would I have had the patience to stand in one place and freeze in the unlikely event I would’ve been rewarded with a fishy lunch.

So, the North can keep the heat and humidity, I don’t miss it, gets plenty hot enough for me here, and when it’s not there’s always the fire to keep you warm, mornings shrouded in mist, brisk walks rugged up against the cold, robin redbreasts in the garden, snow on top of the Western Tiers of a winter’s morning, the distinct characteristics of each season, thermals to keep out the cold, a big pot of thick homemade soup simmering on the stove, weekends curled up on the couch reading a book or watching a movie.

Autumn and Winter, I love it. Better go chop some wood, supposed to get below zero tonight.