Kathy Hamilton What’s that saying about “Better late than never”? Today it’s (finally) time for What I Loved in September and October. I decided to double up my round-up of the things I’ve been enjoying lately into a bumper two-month edition!
To be honest with you all, September was not my best month. It started with a really bad cold, homesickness and a powerful sense of loneliness that seemed to creep in at the edges sometimes. I feel like it didn’t really get a lot better from there. I think it’s important to admit that not every month is sunshine and happiness, especially in this social media-fuelled world where we see the highlight reel of others’ lives. However, since there were some lovely moments in that month and I still wanted the opportunity to share those silver linings with you too without just skipping straight to my October highlights. So, now that I have explained myself a little, I’m pleased to share What I Loved in September and October with you now.
My Birthday!
It was my birthday in September! In keeping with the overall theme of simple pleasures, my birthday was quite a small affair this year. But I took a moment to reflect on the year that had passed and to look forward. I also ate my favourite “treat” meal: an Indian with all the extras, onion bhajis, pakoras, naan…delicious! I received some really thoughtful presents from my friends and family too, and that always reminds me how loved and lucky I am to have them.
Coffee and a Good Book
Honestly, the restorative power of curling up in an armchair with a happy book and a good hot drink cannot be underestimated. On a day I was feeling particularly sad and homesick, I decided to wander into town to my favourite café. Here, I ordered a decadently sweet coffee, laid claim to the comfiest armchair, and spent a few hours simply reading my book in the cosy atmosphere. It didn’t quite cure my homesickness, but I did cheer myself up.
A Weekend with Family
Sometimes, the only thing to do is to go home and spend time with family. Living in Belfast means that I have come to treasure these weekends where I head back to Sunderland and spend time doing nothing very much at all with my best people. I have found that it’s the normal home comforts; watching a film with my mam, laughing over a stupid joke with my brother, or just enjoying being together, that are the most important. This weekend was exactly what I needed. Family is so important, and (I might be biased) but mine is the best.
An Autumn Walk with My Brother
If my trip home to Sunderland was a highlight of what I loved in September and October, then consider this the highlight of that highlight! My brother and I are, I’m glad to say, very close. We have so many little in-jokes and old stories that never fail to crack us up. I try my best to help him understand the world in spite of Autism. Although I’m the first to admit, sometimes it doesn’t work, and more often than not it ends up being him who helps me. On our early autumn walk by the beautiful Durham riverside, we talked about everything, big and small. His unique way of seeing the world never fails to inspire me to be a more understanding person. His no-fuss brand of honesty was also exactly the reality check I needed!
The Park at Dusk
I’m lucky enough to live just around the corner from a beautiful park. With its large pond and diverse wildlife, it’s a fabulous place to walk every day of the year. However, what I loved in September and October, in particular, was the night I decided to go for a stroll just as the sun was beginning to set. As the evening light closed in, and the day turned slowly to night, I couldn’t help but marvel at how beautiful and calm the setting was. I went home feeling restful and happy. With a new appreciation for the simple pleasure of a nice walk.
Madrid and Tres Cantos
At the start of October, I was lucky enough to go on a trip to visit my friend who has just moved to Spain. We spent the weekend exploring Madrid and her town – Tres Cantos. I really love Spain, each time I visit somewhere new there I find new reasons to fall in love with the country. Madrid was no exception. The city feels is on the same grand scale as Paris, with beautiful architecture, fabulous food and interesting places to visit. I totally fell in love with it. Honestly, I could have spent much longer there and I already can’t wait to go back. Luckily for me, I have a friend to visit there now too.
Manolitos
Next up in What I Loved in September and October are these little pastries. Similar to French croissants, they are all the rage in Tres Cantos. And their popularity has now expanded to Madrid. Over 7000 kilos are said to be sold in Madrid every month and even Queen Sofia of Spain is said to be addicted to them! Like all the best foods, they were created by accident by baker Manolo Manzano.
They’re now so popular you have to get to the “pasteleria” early in order to get some. Even when we got to my friend’s local bakery there was a queue out the door! But these little treats we worth it, washed down with my favourite Café Bombon it was the perfect end to a morning walk! Hopefully, rumours of their global expansion are true, because I’ve been craving them ever since I got home. Manolitos everyone, you heard it here first! At least in English anyway!
El Prado Museum
I have a very loose bucket list of places I really want to visit. Usually, I’m quite happy to simply spend time in a new place, trying to soak up the atmosphere and eating good food. But when my friends invited me to spend the weekend in Madrid, I had one pre-requisite. I needed to visit El Prado. Why did I want to visit this bastion of Renaissance religious art, you ask? Was I really that interested in countless depictions of religious scenes? Well, no. For me El Prado = Las Meninas, a painting I have wanted to see in person for years.
Despite warnings of huge queues, I was lucky to find the museum relatively empty. This was perfect as it gave me time to appreciate and spend time with each painting that I wanted to see. The museum is HUGE and rough estimates say you should take 6 hours to see it all. I reduced this to 90 minutes, which gave me plenty of time to see the highlights. And what a highlight Las Meninas, by Velasquez was. I couldn’t help myself gasping when I finally saw it. It’s hard to accurately describe why this enigmatic painting creates such emotion but this article comes close to capturing the feeling. For this Art History lover, it was the cherry on top of a fantastic trip to Madrid.
Autumn Leaves
In October it seemed like Belfast burst into a final glorious burst of colour before winter. Every year I look forward to the changing leaves. With their oranges, reds and yellows. This year didn’t disappoint. Nothing beats going for a walk in weather that’s just cold enough to need a warm jacket, a cool breeze on your face and autumn leaves flurrying in the wind. It’s one of those really specific emotions that are really hard to define. But that rosy-cheeked glow only happens when the leaves are changing colour. A wonderful way to wrap up what I loved in September and October!
