All the leaves are brown...

Dear Mum,

As August retires and September awakens, it is clear we venture into Autumn. The change in temperature, sunrise and sunset triggers much discussion over ‘The Best’ season.

Generally, Summer and Winter are favourites among my friends.

Summer, for its warm and sunny outlook, which undeniably sparks optimism, plus its opportunities for a more varied social scenes – fewer knitted jumpers, more bikinis at the beach.

In the other corner we have Winter. From what I gather, Christmas is a large justification for the favouritism of this season, along with snow. But cosy nights in front of the fire, and warming mugs of soup or roast dinners are also winning reasons.

While my preferred season is Spring, I know yours is Autumn. These cousin seasons are transitions. They prepare us for the extremes of Summer and Winter.

In my opinion, they are the most beautiful.

After the wet, dark and leafless Winter, Spring is guaranteed to ‘spring’ from nowhere. It offers sunshine, trumpeting flowers, a crisp edge to the air. As more greenery appears, and birdsong is once more notably audible, one can abandon the Winter coat and settle for a solitary scarf.

The cliché of ‘new beginnings’ is not without cause.  It is always a relief to see the end of the troublesome snow and greet the sun once more.

As for Autumn, it is like a constant sunset. The sun casts a golden glow to echo the changing colours of the Summer’s forgotten trees. The sky seems sunken, as if a great hand has cupped itself over the clouds protectively and shaken the leaves from their mothering branches.

There is nothing more satisfying than kicking up fallen leaves or stepping on a particularly crunchy one. And that feeling of excitement in heading home to a cosy home as the nights draw in.

As a nation, we are very fortunate to have four such varied seasons, each offering a different experience, a new temperature, a unique scene.

Now, Mum, you can revel in the warm sunshine and heart-warming glow of these Autumnal days. x