When Summer Starts Whispering Autumn

Hello! I have my little pup (who isn't so little anymore! Where has the time gone?!) curled up underneath the desk. He has always done it since he was tiny and somehow he still manages to snuggle himself underneath there. Anyway, lovely to have you here. Thank you for choosing this little corner of the internet to help start your week off strong!

We had another heatwave here in the UK last week, and it got me thinking about the seasons. I think I am a summer person, as long as it isn't 30-degree weather outside. I am much more of a Cycling in the Rain type, or someone who would rather spend an afternoon finding a Hidden Grove or throwing a horseshoe into a Breezy Meadow. You see what I did there? Those are my Spring/Summer candle names, where A Story To Light first began!

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I suppose I enjoy the essence of summer more than I enjoy the heat itself. I love what summer means: the longer evenings, days by the sea, picnics in the sunshine and that lovely feeling that the whole world has slowed down just a little. But as my favourite cosy season begins to whistle on the wind, I can't help but get excited for its arrival too. I don't think enjoying one season means wishing another away. Perhaps I just enjoy each one for what it brings. And so, rather than rushing towards autumn just yet, I thought I would take a little moment to look back at this summer and all the little memories that have made it what it was.

If there is one thing about me, it's that if I go to a beach, I am going into that sea. I have always been that way. It didn't matter if I got my jeans wet from only putting my feet in; I didn't care, and I still don't. There is something about standing at the edge of the sea and deciding to just go for it that I have always loved.

The beaches in the UK and Spain are so different, but neither is better. A British beach can have that crisp, salty air and freezing cold sea, which is perfect for bringing along a blanket and a flask and simply sitting there, taking in the open view. Then there is a Spanish beach, where everything feels a little warmer and livelier; music drifting through the air, people chatting, children splashing in the water and the sun shining down. I think I love them both for completely different reasons.

And speaking of getting outside, my partner's birthday in early June gave me a rather good excuse for another adventure. I surprised him with a trip to North Wales, where we hiked Cadair Idris in Snowdonia. It took us the entire day and, by the end of it, my feet were covered in blisters and my legs were certainly feeling it. But standing at the summit made every ache worth it. The views were breathtaking and there was something so rewarding about reaching the very top after spending the whole day making our way there. I would absolutely recommend the route if you're looking for a scenic walk that doesn't feel too busy.

Of course, not all of my favourite summer memories involved climbing mountains. Some involved sitting in a field with my shoes off and gossiping with my oldest friend. Whenever Abigail and I have a picnic together, you can guarantee there is going to be plenty of food, gossip and laughter. She has been my longest and dearest friend; I've known her for more than half my life now, which is a slightly terrifying thought! One afternoon this summer, we found ourselves sitting in a quiet field, catching each other up over our picnic. Our shoes were off, we were getting comfortable and everything was very peaceful. Until we heard,

“MOOOO.”

We both jumped up, scrabbled to gather our things and made a run for it. I have heard that once a cow starts running, they can run surprisingly fast. I'm not sure if that is actually true, but in the moment we certainly weren't going to find out. Unfortunately, there was no other way out except through ankle-deep mud, barefoot. Luckily, there was a river nearby where we could wash ourselves off before putting our shoes back on.

It wasn't quite the peaceful picnic we had planned, but it certainly gave us something to laugh about afterwards. And perhaps that is what makes the best summer memories sometimes — the moments you never planned for in the first place.

Books, naturally, came along for the ride this summer too. I didn't read as many as I usually do, but the ones I did pick up were nothing short of incredible.

I finished A House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas mainly through audiobook, and I have to say, I absolutely love Elizabeth Evans as a narrator. She brings so much life to the characters and world, and somehow makes those enormous Sarah J. Maas books feel even more immersive. I also read Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, which made me cry at the beach and might just be my favourite book of 2026 so far.

I then read and watched Daisy Jones & The Six. I preferred the book, although I thought both were amazingly done, and of course I had to reread A Court of Thorns and Roses to rejog my memory for the new books coming out this autumn and next year. Because apparently one reread is all it takes to convince yourself you are fully prepared for another Sarah J. Maas release!

And then, before I knew it, I was packing my suitcase. Call me dramatic, but the thought of being in my mid-twenties and not having travelled a whole lot made me want to venture out and experience a little more of the world. I am such a homebody, so spending two weeks travelling was quite a big thing for me, but it was also something my soul seemed to need.

So, my partner and I packed up our bags and flew out to Italy. We had the loveliest time. We ate some very good pizza and pasta, wandered through beautiful places and, somehow, my very pasty English skin came home with a tan and a few freckles! It was one of those trips where you come home tired but already find yourself thinking about where you might go next.

And while we're on the subject of travelling, towards the beginning of August my family and I took a trip down south to visit my older brother. It happened to be right in the middle of another heatwave, which we definitely hadn't anticipated when the trip was booked months ago!

Here is Rossi cooling down after a hot day!

We spent some time exploring Bristol and, on our last night, stumbled across a little Persian kebab place. I ordered a humongous halloumi wrap for just £6, which still feels like one of the great discoveries of the summer. After Bristol, we headed to Cheddar Gorge for yet another splendid hike, although thankfully this one wasn't quite as long as Cadair Idris. And yes, we tried the cheddar cheese while we were there. It did not disappoint!

Somewhere amongst all of these adventures, walks, books and trips, something else rather lovely happened too. My snail mail story series, Letters From The Garden, began to gain a little momentum over the summer months. It was so wonderful to see people reading the stories and enjoying them, but even more special were the messages I received online from people telling me how much they enjoyed watching my content.

For a very small creator and business, that really does mean the world to me. There are so many ideas that have been accumulating in notebooks, little pieces of paper and the back of my mind for years, and seeing some of those ideas finally brought to life feels rather surreal. What makes it even more special is knowing that I haven't been the only one enjoying them.

It feels like I've created a tiny corner of the internet that people can come to when they want to slow down for a little while, pick up a book, write something down or simply enjoy something creative. And honestly, that is exactly the kind of corner of the internet I always wanted A Story To Light to become.

Food for Thought

I think there is something quite lovely about looking back on a season and realising just how much can happen in a few short months. We often imagine that a season needs to be filled with big adventures for it to have been worthwhile, but when I look back at my summer, it isn't necessarily the biggest moments that stand out the most. It's the little things in between.

The muddy feet after a picnic. The sound of the sea. A book that made me cry somewhere unexpected. A £6 halloumi wrap. Laughing with an old friend. Coming home from a long walk tired and happy. Sitting down at the end of the day and realising, oh, I think I'll remember this.

Perhaps that is why I love the changing seasons so much. They give us these little opportunities to pause, look back and notice what we might otherwise have forgotten.

And so, as summer begins to slowly loosen its grip, I'm trying not to rush towards autumn too quickly. There are still warm evenings to enjoy, books to read, places to wander and probably a few more adventures to stumble upon.

What kind of summer person are you? 🌿

• ☀️ Give me sunshine!
• 🌧️ Rainy days, please

Until Next Time...

And so, I think this is my little goodbye to summer.

Not quite a goodbye, because there are still a few warm days left to enjoy, but more of a little thank you for everything this season has brought with it. As autumn begins to whisper on the wind, I know I will be ready for its rainy afternoons, cosy evenings and darker nights. But for now, I'm going to leave the windows open for a little longer, soak up the last of the summer light and let this season have its final chapter.

Thank you summer, I'll see you again next year.

All my love,

Eleanor x