Autumn Days

We're actually having some dry, sunny weather over here in the wilds of north Wales this week. I took my cup of tea out in the garden this afternoon and made the most of the sun for a few minutes. There is a particular quality to the light and warmth of an autumn day which distinguishes it from spring. There's a freshness in the air and a hint of colder, crisper days to come, but although I am not one  who welcomes winter, a dry, sunny autumn day gives me as much pleasure as a day in spring or early summer. It awakens memories of schooldays, a new academic year, the smell and feel of a new school satchel, sharp new pencils, the first page of a brand new exercise book, memories which were usually short-lived as I recall, but let's not spoil the moment.
Even when I was teaching, there was something of the same anticipation of a brand new year, new class and hopefully, less targets, paperwork and government interference. Oh dear, that element of cynicism will creep in, try as I might.
So for today, I relish the moment. No more do I live my life around the acedemic year. Hey! I've even managed to remain in ignorance of the dates of the half-term holiday. These mid-afternoon moments before the sun disappears behind the next trail of cloud, are mine to appreciate, to daydream in and to savour.