Every autumn, I play a little game on how long I can keep wearing my summer wardrobe. With the random weather we have been having, I have packed my summer dresses away one weekend only to have to get them out the next!

This past week we had some terrible weather during the week, only to be blessed with a stunning weekend. Saturday morning at parkrun was beautiful, near perfect running conditions and then a relaxed parkfaff outside on the café terrace, with warm sunshine on our faces. There was also just a super friendly atmosphere, some lovely visitors and our community whom all made a joyful morning. Sunday was another mild day and we enjoyed a long family walk, with the bonus of warm pasties at the midway point. I nicknamed it our berry and nuts walk, because as we walked through the countryside, nature’s signs of autumn were all there to see. As we approach autumn, I am also back to Saturday night is cooking night, this week our recipe was a delicious savoury crumble. It was also my first homemade soup of the season for Saturday lunch, fresh soup and bread from our local bakery is the best lunch.

At this time of year, the start of a new academic year, my weekdays are very work focused, so I do really appreciate my weekends. I’m relishing being outside and every evening have been taking a walk around the block for 30 minutes, it helps to reflect on the day and to relax ready for the evening (and also to calm after the stress of asking my Year 11 daughter to do just a bit of schoolwork) On Monday evening, I did watch the live Chanel presentation from the V&A with Justine Picardie as an introduction to their exhibition. I am counting down the days to our trip in half term. I do like having something to look forward to. On Sunday we were also doing some planning for our Med cruise next summer, I’m very excited for the trips we have booked so far, Segways in Marseille and a Gaudi tour to Park Güell and Sagrada Familia. I am the sort of person who will research and learn all about Gaudi in the preceding weeks to really embrace the visit. The children and Mr S are off to a water park on the same day and I am secretly delighted to be a visiting it alone (albeit in a guided party)

Next week is a quiet week, the boys have a couple of football matches, so some quiet time for me, which is always appreciated.