Late-august summer-maxxing

It’s been a long, hot summer in Bath. We’ve all been enjoying a brighter sun and higher temperatures than usual since mid-May, more or less.

The new cool air might be giving autumn vibes to the romantics among us, but to me it’s a sign, reminding us to cling onto every last breath or summer before it’s over. Don’t get me wrong, I’m incredibly grateful for the slightly later morning seagull calls, but that’s it. Otherwise I’m hanging on, wearing shorts and calling it summer until the daytime highs drop to below 17 degrees celsius.

make the most of the last few weeks - here’s how:

Practice the art of “grounding”. Take your shoes and socks off (if you’re really warm enough to be wearing them) and walk outside barefoot, ideally on natural earth. Extra points if you lie down.

Time with trees. Get to your local forest, arboretum or city park and test your tree knowledge. Admire the leaf shapes and bark patterns. Climb the multi-stemmed varieties as if you’re 6 years old again.

Cancel dinner reservations. Grab your OS map, a takeaway pizza and fill up your water bottles. Climb a hill and watch the sunset to the chewne of the crusts.

Rent a boat. Head on down to your local boating station and hire a rowing boat for an hour or two. Rediscover the wonders of the classic British riverbank (and hopefully spot an otter!)

Visit a botanical garden. Ideally during golden hour. Switch your phone off and notice every floral scent and every bee’s buzz.

Gather some fruit. The last of the blackberries or the first of the apples. Or both. Eat them fresh. Bake them into a tart. Make some jam (with the windows or doors open of course).

Sit in your garden. Look around. Is it your perfect garden? How are the plants coping in this climate? Could you add more drought-tolerant plants in time for next summer? Let your brain do the wandering.

Enjoy. Every season is special. Don’t wish time away. Live it all.

Isabella