Life under the Stairs

By Local Resident, Jane Stevenson

NOSTALGIA COMES TO US ALL Did I miss summer? I don’t recall any lengthy period of warm days, blue skies and balmy evenings. There were some lovely hot days a few weeks ago, but they were so very fleeting. I feel cheated. Today, for example it is overcast but warm. It’s been like this for ages. Bearing in mind the amount of damage we’ve done to the planet in such a short space of time, I shouldn’t really be surprised. I think it’s a shame our children and grandchildren won’t experience a definite change in the seasons. As I am so very old, according to Youngest Offspring, I do remember the drift from a warm spring to a hot summer to a mellow autumn and then to a cold crisp winter. Mind you, I can also remember thick smog, a real ‘pea souper’ as my granddad used to say. week or so to the coast. A few lucky folk went to Spain or Italy. Lazy days out on bikes, playing football and getting together with your mates. Outdoors from morn till dusk with nary a worry. Autumn was the time things began to slow down again. We could see a visible change in nature, with the trees providing a rainbow of colour as the foliage turned from green to gold to brown. Conkers arrived, and with them many bruised fingers and hands. Schools promoted Harvest Festivals, it became chilly in the evenings. The winter and the excitement of Christmas. Cards and wrapping papers with robins, snowmen, holly, and enough glitter to coat a double decker bus! It often snowed, which we all loved until it went brown and slushy. Then the whole cycle started again.

We still hang onto the whimsical idea that certain events herald phases of the year. Easter and spring are inevitably promoted by shops and card manufacturers with bunnies and chicks, daffodils etc, signifying a new start to the year. We look forward to warmer days, as we slide towards summer. Summer was the time for seaside holidays, ice cream and the school holidays. We might go away for a Of course, this is very stylised; but my kids have never really known such a definition in terms of season and I think it’s such a shame. In recent years, I’ve had my central heating on in June, and sat on a sunny beach in November. It has rained continuously all summer only to result in a glorious Indian Summer, sometimes lasting well into late October. I used to have a winter wardrobe and a summer wardrobe whereas nowadays I’m never sure what to wear until I’ve opened the curtains in the morning. You can’t turn back time, and the good old days weren’t all they’re made out to be, but unless we really do stop and take stock of how our way of life affects the climate, future generations will only know extreme heat or cold, at any time of the year and such a scenario doesn’t bode well for any of us. LIFE AFTER LOCKDOWN I admit to being rather wary of July 19th – ‘Freedom’ Day. I envisioned a mad dash to pack out shops and cinemas, pubs and restaurants. A bonfire of epic proportions as everyone burned the hated face masks, social distancing being a thing of the past. What did happen, is that some people enjoyed the freedom of going naked about the face, while others chose to parade a bright and colourful wardrobe of funky facemasks. Sanitiser is still available for those who choose to use it, and social distancing is quietly observed. So, boo to the naysayers who predicted a breakdown in the social order as we became a pro or anti restriction society. No one has commented, criticised or suggested that we should all act the same. Personal choice in how we live with Covid is politely observed by all. Brownie points all round for the great British public. On a more informal note. Life Under The Stairs is no more. I’m now based in the attic, which is light and airy and faces the road where I can see that there is life outside my front door. The cats still loll about my desk, but now have the option of climbing out the Velux if they so desire. The only drawback I can find is that the tea making requirements are now at the opposite end of the house from me. Hey ho, can’t have it all.

Take care people.