It looks like the wind has moved on, leaving behind a cool morning, but the temperature might get back to 25° by Monday before a west wind brings cloud. It’s around this time of year that we start preparing for winter, and that’s always an adventure. To start with, there is the house to think about. Rediscovering the hangings for the doors that keep out some of the wind, then washing the things after they’ve been in bags for several months. Dragging the suitcases from under the bed, and then discovering what you stored away in them… ‘Oh, there’s that jumper, I wonder if it still fits?’ ‘What on earth is that?’ It was a Christmas present. ‘Oh, that’s lovely, I’d forgotten about that.’ (Marked for putting back under the bed when no-one’s looking.) ‘We must have been in an H&M at some point last year… Or was this from Temu?’ And so on.

Soon, we’ll pick up some roof paint and attempt to clear the flat bathroom roof of empty water tanks so we can paint it to stop the rain coming through. Then there’s checking the gutters as best I can, and fixing back the taller plants in the courtyard so they don’t blow over. Checking the stash of old towels for when the rain comes under the doors and windows, and trying to remember where I hid my boots. Then, the heaters will need dusting and checking, though we’re loath to plug one in until absolutely necessary. The front window, open since May, will have to close (it faces north), though the bedroom one will stay slightly open all winter, except for when things get wild. Wearing socks again is always an experience, as is having to tie shoelaces after months of sandal wearing, and it adds a bothersome few seconds to getting ready to go out. There’s the replacing shorts with long trousers thing, and having to add a hoodie or jumper, and don’t get me started on coats, jackets, hats and gloves. (I’m not much of one for a scarf.)

Maybe it’s just me feeling chilly, but I went down to the Rainbow yesterday in jeans, trainers, t-shirt and hoodie, and on the way, was passed by a tourist wearing only his shorts. It’s that mindset of: ‘I’m on me holidays, I’m going to damn well wear as little as possible come ’ell or ’igh water.’ Good for you, Sir, but save it for the beach.

Yesterday, as well as a little treasure hunting for winter requirements, I also popped up the road around eight in the morning, and on the way back, thought to call into the bakery for a couple of their famed meat pies. I have to admit to seldom using any of our wonderful bakeries. Despite the wonderful aromas and offerings, we don’t have bread for every meal or buy pastries, but yesterday was a spur-of-the-moment thing, and I felt a little sheepish having not been a customer for so long. All the same, I was greeted with a very warm, ‘Yasou, Doby mou’ in that familiar and friendly Greek way as though I came in every day. That was cheery, as were the several morning greetings exchanged along the lane and in other shops I popped into, and the warmth of greetings got my morning off to a smiley start.

Hopefully that cheeriness will continue over the weekend and onwards as we continue our winter preparations…