Becci Stanley: It may still be summer but roll on the cooler weather
Ochre leaves, crackling bonfires and chunky scarves – there’s nothing I love more than the arrival of autumn. While everyone else is lapping up the last of the summer sun and firing up the barbecue, I’m wondering when the sun is due to set and rainy days will reign supreme.
Summer may have the best weather, winter signals the arrival of Christmas, and Easter sees baby rabbits and lambs frolicking in the fields; but to me autumn is the best season of all.
When you think of autumn, your mind is immediately drawn to the beautiful shades of deep red, bright orange, warm yellows and soft browns that appear in nature. Nothing makes my walks around the local park more beautiful than the trees changing colour, and the vibrant leaves littering pathways.
I love the blooming flowers of spring and summer, but with them comes a runny nose and itchy eyes as hayfever takes over my entire life.
While the hot weather means we’re free of rain and signals the start of music festivals across the nation, there’s nothing I love more than frosty evenings and cuddling up by the log burner. It’s also the perfect time to fix yourself a hot cup of almost anything, whether that be coffee, tea, hot chocolate, mulled wine or cider.
A beer garden may be great for gathering with friends, but I much prefer a good bonfire while huddled under a quilt making s’mores. These cosy nights in also save a lot of money, which is perfect with Christmas right around the corner.
I love summer music festivals, but I’d swap them for the start of the German Market, regional Oktoberfest celebrations and autumn food festivals any day with their warming grub, and glittering lights in the early nights.
I’m not a huge fashion follower, and to me it’s hard to beat a comfy jumper and a pair of jeans. In autumn, knitwear and jeans is basically a uniform that acts as both stylish, and practical to keep you cozy as the weather gets cooler. Darker shades of make-up and clothes become the trend, which is always music to the angst-ridden part of me that still loves emo music and black everything.
The beginning of autumn marks the countdown to Halloween, when horror movies grace the TV, and I can get tonnes of spooky homeware from shops to use all year round.
On top of this, autumn-scented candles bless store shelves, and pumpkin-spiced everything begins to appear on every menu.
While most people complain about the rain and long for summer cheerfulness, I’ll be here getting the bonfire and blankets ready.
