Let's Go Time Surfing

- Helen Foster

DID YOU KNOW THAT during August we get a whopping 14 hours of daylight a day, while September to mid-October still offer a fantastic 11-13 hours? Last year, temperatures peaked at 34C in August and September and even October recorded a T-shirt-friendly 22°C at one point – and Scotland had its sunniest ever October on record! Looking at those stats it’s clear to see there’s plenty of life in the British summer yet – but, be honest, are you out there truly embracing it, or are you already mentally making plans for Christmas?

If the answer is more ho ho ho than hot hot hot, it’s not your fault. Despite the fact that we spend half the year waiting for summer to arrive, we’re actually conditioned to rush through it. Partly this is driven by our consumer- led society. ‘Everything today aims to push you forward,’ says psychologist Hilda

Burke. ‘By mid-summer the shops are advertising back-to-school gear, autumn clothes and even winter coats are already in stock, and soon enough the Christmas push will start, which can create an idea in your mind that summer is over, even though there are still plenty of gorgeous days left.’

IT’S NOT OVER TILL IT’S OVER

Added to this is the fact that by the end of August you might have had your summer holiday, which can act like a seasonal full stop – once it’s over it’s time to plan the winter break or think about where to go next year.