Five Simple Ways to Enjoy the Last Weeks of Summer
If, like us, you are not quite ready for the Fall yet, here are some ideas to spin out the mellow, sunshine-filled days of summer just a little bit longer.
Go stargazing
Look up! If you can escape light pollution and spend an evening stargazing you may see bright stars or, occasionally, a meteor. If you don't spot any of these balls of dust, ice and gas you may see some equally magical shooting stars. Just don't look away or you'll miss them. Wrap yourself in a cosy wool throw, bring a flask and take warm layers as you drink in the beauty of the sky.
Swim wild
There is something special about swimming outdoors, whether you are floating in a secret lake or clocking up laps in your local lido. Let the cool water invigorate and restore you - just make sure you pack a pullover and flask of hot chocolate, as well as your favourite towel to warm you up afterwards. Choose an appropriate, supervised place and swim with a companion. Check weather and water conditions, enter slowly and follow RNLI open-water safety advice.
Cook over a fire
Recreate the fun of a campfire with a barbecue only where local rules permit it. Keep it away from flammable materials, have water nearby and follow outdoor fire-safety guidance. There is something very relaxing about gently turning a toasting haloumi kebab or browning sausage, or stoking the flames with some dry tinder. Food tastes better like this, don't you think?
Forage
There's a bounty of berries and fruits out there, free for the taking! Walk along a hedgerow or around some brambly wasteland and you'll spot clouds of plump blackberries, and pass trees laden with ripening pears and apples almost ready for picking. Use a reusable container and a apron (to prevent staining your clothes) and pick only fruit you can identify confidently, where access and local rules allow. Make homemade chutneys and jellies to preserve the fruit. You can also collect seeds from vegetables and flowers once they have finished, and save them to plant next year. The promise of new life at the end of the coming winter is very reassuring.
Take a hike
Sometimes we realise we haven't really seen places that we pass every day. Take some time out to explore where you live on foot, or find a map and strike out on a hiking adventure. Be curious, let your mind wander, take advantage of not having to be anywhere in particular, and connect to the place where you are walking.
Whatever you choose to do for these last precious weeks of summer, we hope your days are joyful. For a laid-back outdoor table, compare LinenBeauty home-decor fabrics or browse LinenMe’s finished table linen.
