September is a strange month, isn’t it? The end of summer and “back to school” feeling can be a bit gloomy, and yet the weather more often than not grants us a few improbably sunny days, while falling leaves and crisp morning air is a promise of all the best things about autumn.

Last year I went away for a weekend in autumn – not very far, just a night, to do some walking. It was still just warm and light enough, even if I did have to trudge through the rain on one day. The break was lovely, and it tided me over through the darker winter months, giving me something nice to remember – and perhaps to look forward to, in the form of a repeat adventure in the spring.

I never got around to it due to the Omicron wave of Covid, but I’m planning to go on another walking mini-break this autumn as well. I’ve written before about trying to arrange nice things to look forward to during difficult periods - I’m very lucky to have the chance to get away for a night, but if you’re not able to do this, could something smaller-scale be possible? Perhaps a one-hour walk, or meeting a friend for a chat.

Rather than mourning the loss of summer, I’m now looking forward to beautiful damp autumn days, even if it does mean trudging through the mud!