The weather has certainly changed here over the last few days. For us, October has been wet and mild. Lots of damp, showery days with real warmth in the sun and air. I would often be shedding layers on my way back from picking up the kids from school, wishing it would become a little cooler so I could get out my knitwear.
On Sunday night there was a huge storm here in the UK. Thankfully it didn't really reach us here in the North - the weather was just a little wetter and windier than it had been before - but I do hope any of you further south in the UK were not too badly affected. That storm blew away the last of the mild weather, along with most of the leaves on the trees, which are starting to look bare and skeletal. The clocks went back on Saturday night too so now we have lighter mornings and darker evenings. I haven't really noticed the light difference in the morning yet, but it's palpable in the afternoons. By 5 pm the lights are on and we're drawing the curtains. The sun is low and bright, the shadows are long and the wind is distinctly chilly. Suddenly, almost overnight, it feels a little wintry.
We are staying with my in-laws in Durham at the moment and I am taking advantage of this change in routine. This was a welcome and necessary break for all of us, I can tell you, and we are all recharging in all sorts of ways. Knitting, eating cake, drinking tea and sitting in front of the wood burning stove are all punctuated by trips to the park, the shops, the cafe and the beautiful Northumberland coast. I feel like we mainly go out just so we can enjoy returning home again. I've cast on a cowl from a pattern and yarn I bought at Yarndale. Both knitting and cake eating are essential ways to prepare for the colder months, I'm sure you'll agree.
It does feel as though the winter switch was turned on at the weekend and I've dug my thick coat out of hibernation. I even had to wear gloves in the car this morning! Enjoy your time away - I'm envying you sitting by that lovely fire with cake in hand. x
ReplyDeleteCold, but very cosy by the looks of it.
ReplyDeleteKate x
This post almost makes me miss those UK winters... Sigh, I'm feeling all nostalgic now :-) x
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are settling into the season perfectly! Chrissie x
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're having a nice visit with family. It all sounds very cozy and exactly how I'd like to be spending the week myself.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely lovely post ... I sat here wishing I was there with you sitting by that GORGEOUS fire and eating lovely cake. I like your yarn... it looks lovely. Glad that your having a lovely time.
ReplyDeleteLovely post and photos and hope you enjoy the stay in Northumberland. Saw all about the storm on TV and realised that it was the south that bore the brunt of it. Take care.
ReplyDeletebeautiful pictures, that roaring fire looks particularly tempting (or maybe it is the cake!) And so happy to see someone else writing about the weather, I though my post yesterday was particularly british to write about a storm that didn't actually affect me (and the post before that about daylight savings), so I have read and enjoyed your post very much and now feel vindicated!
ReplyDeleteLovely post and photos. My favourite is the one with the cake by the fire. Looks so cosy!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of your break!
Marion
I agree winter seems to have arrived as the storm passed through. Hope you all have a great half term. Enjoy your cake and knitting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments - as you say the main thing us we are a all safe ( and warm now! )
I adore the picture of the wood burner. makes me feel toasty
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, bit of knitting or crochet, lots of hot drinks and cake - perfect :) xx
ReplyDeleteYep, a bit of something to do with your hands, a nice fire, a cuppa and indoors in the warm and dry, and staying away with no household responsibilities for a few days, that all has to be pretty good. It is cold though! xx
ReplyDeleteIt has gotten much colder the last few days...I'm still trying to get a few moments in the garden tidying up for winter. Hope you have a great break. Looking forward to seeing more of your yarndale project :)
ReplyDeleteOh that sounds blissful, lucky you. The last photo is wonderful. Hope you all have a very good week.
ReplyDeleteCold weather but warm hearts, it is good to recharge with the family. Lovely pics, great focus and depth of field. Jo x
ReplyDeleteThat stove and cake look very inviting indeed!! It has been very cold in London today too. Luckily no damage at all after the storm and I have to say I slept quite well that night too!!
ReplyDeleteYou sound like you are having a fab time away - enjoy the rest, looking forward to seeing the results of your knitting! X
ReplyDeleteLovely - I'm going to enjoy reading your wintery posts. I love Durham. Mr H is from a town nearby so have spent many lovely hours wandering around that beautiful city. xo
ReplyDeleteI pinned your cake image! It's so cozy and warm. :-)
ReplyDeleteYesterday we had the warmest day in 100 years! Almost +15C which is too much for October here.
Glad you are having a good time.
The photos are so cozy.. even those of outside, because we thank god have a roof above our heads. Northumberland is a beautiful place, we used to study during regional Geography in my university.
ReplyDeleteTake care and keep warm!
You're right, Gillian, I do agree :) Our weather here at the base of Mt. Hood is cooling down, and a forecaster on TV tonight said that he expects the snow level to be down to 3000 feet in the storm headed our way this week. I have lots of stitching projects at hand, and my teapot is ready for action!
ReplyDeleteGracie xx
Hi Gillian. The weather is definately on the change.Love the darker evenings when you can snug down in front of the fire. Hope you are having a lovely break. Jacqui xx
ReplyDeleteBrrrr. It's still quite mild here, but I think the temperatures are due to drop by the weekend. I would love a bit of time by that wood burner. I was hoping to get to visit my family this week, but Marc is away for a fortnight, so....
ReplyDeleteHave a restful week. Your posts seem to be tinged with something at the moment. I can't put my finger on it, but I do hope that you and yours are okay. I hope that there are positive plans afoot, if that makes any sense.
Take care, Gillian
Leanne xx
I was a bit surprised to see Lumley Castle peeking between the trees until I read on! Hope you're enjoying it here.....oh, and if your mum has any spare cake.........;-)
ReplyDeleteIt certainly has gone colder for us and yes the clocks going back has made mornings a little slower for us as we try to get ready for school in a slightly darker light. It sounds like you're having the perfect break up in Northumberland, such a beautiful part of the country!! Love the look of that beautiful log burner, I can see why you look forward yo coming back home after each outing, it looks beautiful. Enjoy the rest if your stay xoxo
ReplyDeleteJust having three days off to recharge, knitting, sewing and cake! You won another giveaway, maybe you are on a roll, quick buy a lottery ticket. Love Durham have a great time. Xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous photos Gillian. So atmospheric.
ReplyDeleteNorthumberland is such a beautiful county. My inlaws used to live on a remote farm (nearest town Hexham) and it ALWAYS seemed to be bitterly cold up there - even in the height of summer!
Enjoy the rest of your break.
Hxx
Lovely post- and I too am almost missing the cold of the UK, almost but not quite enough... enjoy Northumberland, Stay warm and cosy:)
ReplyDeleteLovely photographs they tell the story of your week so well. Definitely need to have tea and cake when sat knitting in front of the fire. Or if above the yard arm a nice glass of wine and chocolate. Oh yum.
ReplyDeleteHi Gillian, I just found your blog and enjoyed this post so much! Such lovely photos, ...and you're quite right cake and crochet (in my case) is the best way to prepare for the cold :) xoxo
ReplyDeleteSo cold here too Gillian ... definitely time to cosy up by the fire ... our little man is well on the mend now ... thanks so much for your lovely words yesterday ... Bee xx
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful and like just what I need at the moment! Your pictures are gorgeous and the colour of your yarn is divine too. Enjoy yourself with some more knitting and some more cake, what a perfect combination.
ReplyDeleteS x
S x
I love the colour of the wool you've chosen, looking forward to seeing the final product! It's so sudden isn't it, it really is so dark now at 5pm! The storm was quite severe here, though we didn't fare too badly. Our fence fell down in a couple of places, though mercifully the apple tree stayed put! x
ReplyDeleteI hope you are all enjoying a lovely half term, that cake certainly looks good!
ReplyDeleteLisa x
just looking at your photos makes me feel cosy. My daughters off this week we've had a good one so far. Hope you enjoy a lovely half term. Your knitting looks beautiful xx
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are having a wonderful time at your in-laws. The fire and slice of cake looks so wonderful and inviting… enjoy! It's really not cold here, but I am ready for it. It's November (almost) and it's time. I am also ready for the time to change back this weekend. I like the cozy, dark evenings this time of year.
ReplyDeleteKnitting and cake and wintery weather. Can't beat that combination!
ReplyDeleteAh, just what the doctor ordered! Love those pictures.
ReplyDeleteCold...but very cosy. Your knitting looks lovely and I agree about the cake and cold weather. My mum always says that it's necessary to grow your own winter coat for extra insulation against the cold! I think by this she means that extra food, and cake is important in the winter!
ReplyDeleteMarianne x
Lovely pictures! I love the colours of the Autumn leaves. It is starting to warm up in my part of the world. It's Spring and flowers are in full bloom.
ReplyDeleteBravo, let there be cake .I heartily agree cake and tea must be eaten in the winter.
ReplyDeleteYes and yes! Knitting and cake are absolutely essential! Beautiful, beautiful pictures. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa! Thanks for all the lovely comments you've left here. I've been reading your (beautiful) blog and have tried numerous times to leave comments, but it wont let me for some reason. I tried to find an email to let you know, and to say hi, but I couldn't, so I'm doing it here. Gillian x
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