The Arrival of British Summer & A Farewell To A Chilly Spring

June is nearly upon us. Ice-cream, sunflowers, butterflies, 9pm strolls, a certain carefree bonhomie and all the fabjulous blessings return. 

The last few months have been intense, like a whirlpool sucking me in and it's almost ready to spit me out. There is a collective push to demand more of ourselves, perhaps fueled by the cost of living crisis. I've been working on a new book and being in the flow with bursts of creativity, it reminds me why I write. It is also teaching me more about myself, who I am and where I am going. 

Videography also consumed hours of my weeks and finally some success, with a TikTok video hitting 300,000 views and 11,500 likes. It was like playing bingo, watching my numbers coming up. It was exciting seeing how many people connected with the story. The TikTok comments provide so much insight into subjects like humanity, kindness, our struggles, compassion and character. Where this will all take me? I don't know. It seems like it might create opportunities somehow. 

Bank holidays are a lovely reminder to take a break. The King's Coronation was a day of celebration and coming together, though it was terribly wet. 

I spent the morning in Hyde Park and the afternoon in Mayfair. It was a historical day and somehow being in central London, it felt like I was more a part of it all. We are living in a different world now, of kings instead of a queen. 

Why does it matter - a king instead of a queen? I grew up in the decades where women's rights came to the fore. Our place changed. It seems significant to me, as if there is much more change to come, different winds are blowing and we're not sure which direction they will blow. 

Spring has been chillier than usual but ducklings brightened up my days. I haven't spent enough time with nature, though I did squeeze in a trip to Mudchute farm to admire the darling lambs.

My garden beckons and flowers are blooming. My jasmine this year has brought me great joy. I snatch a few minutes on my balcony here and there. 

A time out for myself is overdue. Summer heat slows us down. It is a much needed break. I'm almost brave enough to fully unpack my dresses and shorts, but the weather, as always, is temperamental, so I reluctantly keep the sweaters close by. 

The arrival of the British summer is always a joyous time and a farewell to a chilly spring, one of mixed emotions - but with endings come beginnings.