The heaters have to be turned on at night. In the day, scarves and gloves protect from the cold. Summer seems far away now and i can’t believe that a few months ago, i walked to the beach in a tank top, shorts, slippers and hat. It is hard for me to see the days getting shorter and shorter. This week, i’ve had to turn on the lights in the house at 4pm.

The upside to all this of course is the food: breakfast out with my husband-coffee, hot chocolate, banana bread and sourdough with a poached egg, baked beans and chorizos- on Tuesday morning before he works from home for the day. Pumpkin soup with a dash of allspice and nutmeg for dinner. A quince and pear crumble for dessert this Friday. All serve to offer comfort for cold bodies.

Today, i met Jena for coffee. I have come to rely on our weekly catch-ups to keep me on track with my life. I need someone whom i can talk to about my relationship with Jonathan knowing that it will not be part of next week’s gossip session. I need someone to help me on this journey that is sometimes difficult and who will not judge or persecute. So, for rekindled friendship, i am grateful.

I asked Jena if i could please take some photos of her at the beach this afternoon after coffee, The afternoon light was delicious and she is a beautiful subject. We only had five minutes but it was worth it. I felt happier and so much more in tune with myself after our little session.

And that’s how i know that photography is a big part of my life. I love it so and i feel excited after to see how the photos turned out. I’ve got an eye for good shots and lighting and i think with some studying, i may actually be quite proficient with the technicalities. In the meantime, i must save for a camera. The Canon DSLR i have been using for the past few weeks was on loan from a friend and tomorrow, i must return it.

But in a short time, it has revealed to me what i already know but found hard to believe- that i can follow my passions; that i can be good at many things; that nothing is impossible.

it’s most certainly autumn now. the morning air is chilly. the nights colder still. because my mind hasn’t yet registered that summer is no more, i open the doors leading to the balcony expecting it to be a scorching hot day when i see the blue skies. but i am quickly reminded that it’s time to fold up the short skirts and sundresses and hang up the coats and scarves. daylight saving time ends in 11 days and i feel sad. goodbye long days. back to cramming everything into a schedule that ends at 4pm so that i can come home before dark and make lentil soup. but wait. winter is not yet. i want to enjoy autumn. beautiful crimson leaves, colourful scarves, mugs of hot chocolate, gilmore girls season six on dvd, take-away coffee on the way to uni, only one season between now and the wedding, more reason for cuddles, holding little charlie, banana bread in the oven. all such warm thoughts.

it’s the first week of autumn and so far we’ve had two stinking hot and humid days, two rainy ones and the rest, cloudy. i am liking the rainy ones best as i’ve never been one to bear the heat well. last night, it rained just as i had left the house to go for a swim. the pool was indoors and heated so it wasn’t too much of an issue. i hadn’t been in a 50m pool in a long while so it was good to get back to proper swimming again. i was feeling terrible before heading to the pool but by the time i swam my fifth lap, i was looking decidedly chirpier. it must have been the water and working out. we stopped by the sauna before heading to the change rooms, where i proceeded to get changed without the privacy of a closed door. i must say that i’m getting used to having my bits out for all the other girls to see. i am definitely becoming more comfortable with my body although it is far from perfect. but anyway. today, it started off cloudy. i walked jon to work. he looked hot in his striking blue shirt and beige pants. so hot that i noticed a guy checking him out. huh. by the time i walked back however, the sky looked to be clearing up and as i sat down to have breakfast, the weather looked and felt perfect. the slightly chilly breeze, the sunshine and the quiet went well with my toast and tea. i also did the laundry. i couldn’t resist spending some moments looking out of the window in my room and smelling the fresh, crisp air. that made me very happy. have just been on the phone to immigration regarding my visa. hope to get it all sorted in the coming week so i can spend the rest of autumn and then winter in australia. and then spring and summer and the rest of my life. i went to try on some wedding gowns over the weekend. it was an experience. all the other brides-to-be were trying on fancy schmancy dresses and here i was putting on the simplest one i could find…an ivory v-neck with a short train. it looked nice but it wasn’t perfect so the search continues. and there you have it- week one of autumn.