Out on the cliffs, there's nowhere to hide from the weather — it hits you full force, wind first, then rain, mixed in with salt spray. In last month’s Field Notes I wrote that in October walks take on a completely different character in autumn and we exceeded expectations on that one. We explored part of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way in the last days of September, and autumn was already unmistakable — not in colour, but in the chill that settled in the moment the sun dropped behind the cliffs and in the crisp morning air.

September always feels like a month caught between seasons and even if you’re not tied to the school calendar like I’m not anymore, it still feels like a fresh start. A good time of year to start thinking about the practicalities of the shift in the seasons and getting your home and garden ready.

August is technically summer's last month — though this heatwave hasn't got the memo. This month think warm days, hazy views, and plenty of time outside that all shape your month, whether you’re at home or away.

Slow summer living

Normally July is the start of the real heat, but we’re already on our third heat wave, so I’m hoping we now get more settled weather. The kind that builds through the morning, lingers into the evening, and sends everyone outdoors in search of shade, water, or a breeze.

It’s peak summer now: hot days, tall meadows, and hedgerows at their fullest. July is all about simple plans, long days outside, and adventures that make the most of it being warm and dry.

Summer Trails and Adventures

June arrives with long, sunny days and while we’ve already had a heatwave, June should be the first real stretch of summer with more settled weather. Early starts feel easier, evenings run later, and the outdoors becomes the best place to be. This month is all about summer trails and small adventures — coastlines, countryside rambles, and those spontaneous weekend escapes that only happen when the weather turns kind.

Longer Days, Lighter Layers

May is that quiet month where we turn from spring to summer — the moment when the days stretch out, everything is brighter, and the countryside shifts into full bloom. Mornings are brighter earlier, evenings linger longer, and everything feels a little more possible outdoors. Here in Somerset we finally have all the trees back in full leaf which always seems to happen within a few days.

Seasonal Shifts & Countryside Markers

Lambing season is in full swing, skylarks rise from pasture and the woods are full of bluebells. Light stretches further each day, but the ground still holds winter’s damp — a reminder that spring doesn’t arrive all at once.