The leaves of brown
Came tumbling down, remember
In September
In the rain
Harry Warren / Al Dubin / Giuseppe Ricci
I grew up to a soundtrack of Frank Sinatra, my mother’s favourite and played almost every evening on the old gramophone player in the sitting room. As a teenager I was scornful, preferring more modern artists, but as I grew older I developed a nostalgic liking for many of the songs he performed. And you can’t get a more nostalgic tone than this, September in the rain.
It’s also appropriate as we have had plenty of rain this month, including during our anniversary trip to Paris. But we also had a week of Indian Summer, with temperatures in the mid 20s and plenty of sunshine. And it would be premature to talk much of ‘leaves of brown’, although they are starting to turn and some indeed have tumbled down.
We were away for quite a bit of the month but still managed to fit in a concert (Lindisfarne); a meal out with friends at the wonderful Michelin-starred Gymkhana in London’s Mayfair; a fascinating talk by the BBC’s longstanding foreign correspondent John Simpson; a cinema visit (Lee, highly recommended); a pizza-making cookery workshop; a day promoting our charity Plan Zheroes at a corporate event at London Zoo; and a few other things besides. It’s been a busy time!
Towards the end of the month we flew to California for a three week road trip. I am posting this from there, so photos taken in the last week or so will be held over until my October round-up.
Technical notes
Most of these shots were taken with my phone, but in Paris I used my compact Panasonic Lumix. Most have been at least a little edited with Photoshop Elements and some more heavily edited with Nik Color Efex.
As always I am linking my selection to Ju-Lyn’s and Brian’s Changing Seasons challenge. Use the arrows to navigate the slideshow if you want to see all the images.
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grandmisadventures
great pictures from September. I especially love the miniature house sculpture! 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
It’s fun, isn’t it?!
Annie Berger
And here I think we’re busy, Sarah, but what a tremendously varied September you had however! I always associate begonias with my in-laws’ home in Cleveland so your shot reminded me of them.
Sarah Wilkie
It was a particularly busy month for us Annie 😀 My husband is the gardener, and he always grows plenty of begonias as they’re one of the few plants the snails don’t eat!
leightontravels
What a great September you seem to have had Sarah. Is it weird that my favourite shot is of the Gymkhana toilet ha ha? The mini sculpture is incredibly charming too.
Sarah Wilkie
Well it is a very impressive old toilet! Yes, September was great and October’s going pretty well too 😀
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Your Parisian digs look so quintessentially Parisian!
Sarah Wilkie
They were, we’d definitely go back 😀
Suzanne
On the Rue Monge, Paris image is my favourite and the sort of place we would stay. Lovely.
Sarah Wilkie
Definitely recommended if you’re going to Paris any time!
Rose
Another beautiful selection! The leaf in your top photo looks so “velvety”.
These 2 are my Favorites: Your apartment appears to be in a perfect location. And that bouquet of flowers is just dreamy.
2024-09-07 On the Rue Monge, Paris (the apartment we rented is through the door far right)
2024-09-15 Outside a Mayfair florist, London
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Rose 😊 Yes, we really liked that apartment’s location and it was very cosy.
Egídio
So beautiful, Sarah. Seeing your begonias made me want to get some macros of ours. They’re still flowering here, too. Of course, our temps are still in the 90s (above 32C).
Sarah Wilkie
Ours faded during September and are probably more or less gone now, but as I’m away I can’t be sure!
Ingrid
Welcome to my side of the pond. I look forward to seeing and hearing all about your CA visit. Enjoy!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Ingrid 🙂
margaret21
A great little selection. I particularly enjoyed those almost secret little treasures you discovered and photographed. Happy onward travels!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Margaret 😊 I love finding those little ‘treasures’ to photograph!
thehungrytravellers.blog
Did they perform Lady Eleanor? Always been a favourite of mine, love that song. You had a busy September, Sarah. Liking your raindrop and petal shot, very atmospheric….and very English given all the recent rain we keep hearing about. And your Paris photos are telling me it’s about time we returned there too.
Sarah Wilkie
Oh yes, Lady Eleanor and all the best known ones, as well as a few I didn’t know. Alan Hull’s son-in-law is now the main vocalist and is excellent 😀
Monkey's Tale
I hope it ‘never rains in California’ for you🌞 Love the little gargoyle on Rue de Bernadins. Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
No rain so far, and only one day of mist at the coast! And now we’re inland for the rest of the trip we’re pretty confident of dry weather 😀
bushboy
A wonderful and colourful fun variety Sarah. Jealous of Lindisfarne concert and being in Paris.
Thanks for joining in The Changing Seasons 😀
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Brian (but sorry to have made you jealous!)
Teresa
Looks like an amazing September, Sarah. Can’t wait to see more of your adventure.
Sarah Wilkie
September was great, and October is off to a fantastic start! Thanks Teresa 😀