It’s true. I feel like it’s time for change.

We’ve been house sitting in Suffolk for 10 days now and looking after two gorgeous Golden Retrievers along with Merlin and have sort of fallen into an easy rhythm. Our stay, which has been long planned by our standards, has really felt like the bookend to the halcyon days we’ve spent in Norfolk, Essex and Suffolk this summer.

Change has in part been signalled by the weather this morning. It seems like I’ve been living in shorts and t-shirts for months now, but a cold north wind today has signalled a return to jeans, hoodies and fleeces. With our friends Anthea and Kevin, we’ve had a couple of easy pub walks but I suspect that this might be the last of the lazy outdoor lunches. Autumn has arrived.

Tomorrow, we start the journey to France. Our 10 days in Suffolk feel like they’ve been both short and really long, but the moss is gathering at Beatrix’s tyres which just won’t do and so it’s time to be off.

It always feels like we’re going on holiday when we get started on these longer trips which makes it exciting and this trip to France feels different again as we have a likely destination and a potential route there, but we’ve not planned anything in detail nor booked any campsites. Exciting but a bit daunting.

Checking social media and it seems that every Campervan and its Dog is out taking the same route as us so I’m sure it’ll busy and we’ll find our way easily enough.

The change creates a natural break to reflect a little on the summer. It’s been an absolute cracker which started way back in Aberdeen in May/June. Perfect summer weather, apart from Skye which I’ve now blotted from memory, has been mixed with visits to see friends and family and the chance to share some of their summer with them. Barbeques, beaches, laughter, bubbly wine and swims in the sea.