Summer reflections by the riverbank
As I sit by the riverbank on this warm summer’s day, I imagine Ratty from ‘the wind in the willows’ float by in his little rowboat. There are lots of hidden places along the riverbank that could be Ratty’s home among the reeds and tree roots. There are little fish plopping up out of the water, I can hear a woodpecker in one of the large trees nearby and a frog croaking. If you lived here (like Ratty by the riverbank), life could quite easily pass you by, watching others float by on the river, chatting with them and listening to complete silence and stillness in between (besides the birds chirping in the background). The summer is at its best here and as the river freezes during winter you could quite happily sleep through the rest of the year until spring. Even now, on this sunny day, I could quite easily fall asleep, it’s hard not to.
The spot where I was writing my journal entry, picturing Ratty float by in his little boat.
Then I realise, I live here! And I am determined to fully experience the best of each of the seasons. I can’t wait to look for signs in the change in seasons and you can be sure I’ll record my observations in a nature journal.
We seem to be experiencing a late summer return of warmth after months of rain. There are plenty of signs of autumn starting and summer ending, a lot of the hedgerow flowers and flower meadows have finished blooming, the berries are out. There’s a stillness in the air, like the holding in of breath, the quiet before the storm. I wait with anticipation for the temperature to drop and breathe in the crisp cold air. At the same time, I don’t want to miss this temporary period of sunshine and warmth, the last of summer.
This type of riverside landscape, surrounded by fields and meadows, is at its most beautiful during summer. You can imagine having a picnic in a flower meadow, looking up at the blue sky, listening to the crickets. There’s nothing more peaceful than looking across fields and meadows, with trees in the background, the sound of the river flowing and crows cawing. I realise everything moves at its own pace, there is purpose everywhere, and everything is there for a reason. That is why I’m determined not to miss the last of summer and savour those still, warm days until the very end… after which autumn will arrive with a chill in the air, blustery winds and vibrant colours, full of its own unique charm.
I took this picture the same day that I wrote this journal entry and it’s what inspired me at the time.
Notes from the present: Even to this day, the river has been my favourite place to walk during the summer months. That lazy summer warmth, the late summer holding in of breath before the autumn blustery weather draws in. I have loved reflecting and journaling by the riverbank. I have kept a nature journal all this time, although I haven’t written as many observations as I’d hoped. I have really loved living with the seasons though, observing nature’s cycles where one season ends and the next begins. I thought I’d share this blog post now as in 2023 we experienced this late summer in early September, but this year we had similar weather in late August, so it seemed appropriate timing. This journal entry has reminded me how much I enjoy observing seasonal changes in nature such as flocks of geese arriving, collecting wild angelica and meadowsweet seeds for me to dry and eventually sow in my own garden, the swallows migrating. The list will hopefully keep on growing as I observe more and more with the passing of every season.