This morning dawned sunny and soft, the light sparkling with moisture and the leaves still clinging on.

It’s been a relief to see the sun after all the rain that has been scrolling over us recently, sometimes pausing, its attention leaving everything soaked. But the conditions we’re experiencing are little more than wet compared to other parts. In the north of England, and in Scotland, in particular its east coast, the rain has been drenching and persistent. It looks like the conditions there became unnerving over the weekend – properly wet and frightening for those caught in the worst of it.

However today, here in the south, this morning came along. It peeped into the room first thing, and has kept shining all day, bringing the warmth with it. It’s been the perfect time to be outside London. The grass is green, most of the trees still have their leaves, roses are budding and blooming, the birds are singing, and occasional bees can still be seen buzzing to and fro. Hard to believe it’s not long until the end of October.

Then this evening I looked out of the window and stopped what I was doing. There was the moon sliced clean in half, right down its middle, hanging like half a pearl in the clear sky, so balanced and calm. Apparently it’s a first quarter moon. It would be nice if some of its tranquillity could be passed down to us.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023