Marie's Web Log

Feeling very autumnal here - many trees turning yellow or brown, many leaves on the ground. Actually, it was like that even in August. Maybe because spring came early, autumn will come early too? Still quite warm, but with cool mornings and evenings.

What lovely, lovely weather we've had this summer. It's raining hard tonight, but that's been a rare thing. Maybe another reason why it all looks so dry. Even though we went to the seaside a few times and made little trips to some National Trust properties and another garden we're members of called Bicton Gardens, I still feel we didn't take enough advantage of the summer. I guess that's natural, with signs of autumn drawing in.

On Wednesday afternoon we drove down to Sidmouth, about a half-hour drive. We went there once before, I think in early spring. It's another spectacular setting with towering red cliffs and a pebble beach. This time the tide was out, which had exposed some long sandy stretches, so we rolled up our trousers and ventured out on to the hard sand, buggy (stroller) and all. There were children laughing and playing, dogs joyfully chasing sticks or balls tossed by their owners, people climbing among the rocks looking for marine life. We sat for a bit, then walked back and climbed the hill to have tea and scones in what's called the clock tower, but looks like a small castle on top of the cliffs.

Yesterday was Amelia's first day back at day care. She clung to my legs a bit when I took her up, but she didn't cry and Louise (the leader of the unit she's in) said she had a good day. They seemed to have a lot of new toys, including a toy cash register, shopping carts and grocery items. Amelia's really into toy money right now. And there are going to be two other little girls in her group this term, which will make a nice change.

Ian has finished his dissertation. This last week was taken up with another round of editing and last-minute changes. He's going to hand it in on Monday. And that's that. Please don't ask what happens next, or I'm liable to lapse into hysterical laughter. Which means I don't know.