5 Things I Love About Autumn

I've always loved Autumn,  and oddly enough it's the time of year where I find myself drawn back to blogging. Something about the long dark evenings, warm cosy jumpers and cups of steaming hot cocoa really makes me want to snuggle up with my laptop and pour my heart out to the world. Autumn holds so much promise to me, so I thought I'd write up a little list of my five most favourite things about this beautiful season. 

1. Dark evenings. I know, this one's a bit of a controversial one, because so many people hate the way the days shorten as Autumn rolls around, but personally I love it. I love lighting some scented candles, turning on my twinkly fairy lights and having long cosy evenings. As Winter approaches, I love walking around towns at night also, there's something so magical about window shopping while wrapped up warmly, where the shop lights illuminate the streets. 
2. The changing colours of nature. I think Autumn is the prettiest season. The way the trees erupt in fiery plumage of oranges, rusts and reds. The way the freshly fallen leaves crunch under foot. The crisp, dry, sunny days and vibrant blue skies. It's all so pretty. 
3. Bonfire Night! I absolutely love fireworks. They're so magical. I also find them so romantic, especially when it's really cold and you can go out to an organised event with your partner, wrapped up in a ton of layers, and buy an overpriced hot dog while you watch. I love standing by the bonfire for warmth. I love the big spectacle at the end, and that teeny tiny bit of fear as a firework flies awry! And I love the little screaming ones! And sparklers!
4. Halloween! Honestly I love Halloween so, so much. There's so rarely anything interesting to do locally for the holiday, sadly, because here it's still seen as a kiddy thing as much as anything. But, I think there's something very magical about Halloween night. I've been fortunate enough to spend several Halloweens over in America where they really do it right and I think that's where a lot of my love has stemmed from. As a little girl, though, my Dad would take me trick or treating (to our friendly neighbour - nobody else trick or treated around our little village!) Mum would decorate the house beautifully and we'd carve pumpkins together and make Halloween Punch. We'd watch Halloween movies together and sing Halloween songs and it was just wonderful. Nowadays, as an adult, we try to find other fun things to do. Let's face it, any excuse to dress up in a fun costume and have a party, right? 
5. Carnival season! Which, sadly, is something we're unable to enjoy in 2020 thanks to Covid 19 and all the joys it brings. But, for those who aren't lucky enough to live in the South West of England, carnivals are evening events that are entirely free to attend and see entire towns closed off for the parades. They feature illuminated floats entirely hand made by volunteers seeking to raise money for various charities and functions. Usually they also include marching bands, majorettes, local businesses touting their brands and even steam engines! Some of the floats are honestly breath-taking, the amount of work, blood, sweat and tears that goes into them is truly something else. They feature dancers and blaring music, complicated moving features and are usually completely covered in lights, so much so that the passing floats can actually keep you warm as you watch from the roadside! I absolutely love watching the local carnivals. I only realised quite recently that they're primarily a West Country thing and that my friends from other parts of the country have no idea what they are! We're so lucky, because they're honestly so much fun to attend (and, y'know, free!) 
   
   

And there you have it! Just a few of my favourite things! Do you love Autumn? Is there anything you're looking forward to this year? Honestly it's all a little different with Covid but even the pandemic can't change the magic of the turning leaves, the hope of a beautiful Christmas just around the corner, or the cosy dark evenings, perfect for Netflix, a warm blanket, and mulled wine!

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