256. Cooling

In Aldeburgh last week the smell of autumn was in the air, thanks to a few local bonfires. There is nothing, for me, more redolent of childhood weekends in the countryside than that smell - and it makes me happy. But the weather was lovely - warm and sunny. So I knew that I'd have to wait a little longer...

But my hands got cold as I cycled to work this morning.

WHOOP!

That means it must be coming. Soon the pavements and streets will be carpeted with leaves rather than gormless tourists. I will need to remember to bring a cardigan and my bike lights to work because I am a thousand years old and comfort and safety are suddenly All I Think About.

I have started to watch the thermometer slightly obsessively, however, because today's cooler morning might be a phoney war. Too often in the past I've got all excited about colder weather just because there's suddenly an 'r' in the month again and been chided for my folly. Increasingly it's not even cold on Christmas Day, which just plain ruins it, no matter how good the gifts, goose and grog.

Last night on the tellybox the man said that it would drop to single figures overnight. I trilled with glee. And this morning - cold hands. But I've just strolled along the canal perfectly comfortably in short sleeves so I've put my autumnal happiness back in its box for now. Maybe it will be cooler next week?