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AIBU?

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Original poster

To find August a really weird month

86 replies

NeonPinkNails · 03/08/2016 13:16

The weather is not great and there's already an Autumny feel in the air - nights are drawing in quite noticeably. Everywhere's looking a bit tired and end of summer-ish instead of fresh and green like earlier in the year. Lots of people are away and everything seems quiet, there's a definite lack of routine due to the kids being off school even for those who are still working. The shops are full of end of sales tat or new season stuff that nobody's ready for yet. And to top it all I've just seen conkers on the trees in the park.

I really want to enjoy summer while it's still officially here but I always find August such a funny in between sort of month. I'd it just me?

OP posts:
OneFlewOverTheDodosNest · 03/08/2016 15:30

I think the reason we all have memories of August being a better month as kids is because, being on school holidays, we were actually able to go out when the weather is good.

Whereas most adults are stuck inside for most of the week so when there is good weather on a week day we miss it, or we can't be bothered to go on a walk / to the beach / take advantage of the sunshine when we've worked a full day. It's a lot easier to experience summer in August when you've got 31 days of it, rather than 8!

SukeyTakeItOffAgain · 03/08/2016 15:34

No no no no stop!!! August can be shit but it's going to get nice again from the weekend. And September can be lovely. Even October was summery last year.

maddiemookins16mum · 03/08/2016 15:55

I agree, it's already darker in the mornings and evenings and it's cooler, we had fleecey throws on the sofa last night. There's that "touch" of Autumn in the air.

RebelandaStunner · 03/08/2016 16:21

The whole spring and summer has been shit. Cold and wet. I think that Autumn has done a swap with summer of late. Bet September and October are nice. I like August actually as it the one month we always go on a holiday, whereas our other holidays change every year.

DinosaursRoar · 03/08/2016 16:24

I agree that August is a bit rubbish, it's the end of the summer feeling already! I think it would be better if schools in England broke up at the end of June/ start of July and had July and the start of August off, going back in mid-August like the Scottish schools do. It seems like that way they get the best of the summer - Summer only ever seems to be June & July and if we're lucky a bit of hot weather at the start of August.

Last year was the first we had to go away in school holidays, last time we went for going away at the start of the holidays end of July, which was nice, but the weather was also good in the UK and August dragged. This year, I said we should go at the end of August, but I'm already bored of summer, don't want to be thinking about shorts and suncream, but mentally are preparing for Autumn. Next year I'm going to try suggesting we go the first week of August to see if that helps shake this feeling... (or we could just be bad parents and take DC1 out of school during June and go then, it's the last year before DC2 starts school so might be worth the fines)

Babyzoo · 03/08/2016 16:36

I agree I've thought for a long time that August is a bit Autumny, there's a cool breeze, I thought I was being mad because it's the Summer holidays.

badfurday · 03/08/2016 16:43

I'm not a fan of August. Its a limbo month. No routine. I'm stuck at work until I am allowed any annual leave (September) and the world and his wife seem to have booked 3-4 weeks off. No Managers in to get anything done.

Its like mother nature is tapping her fingers on the table and watching the clock waiting for September to arrive so Autumn can finally come......

Hate it, bring on September, and my annual leave!

toomanypetals · 03/08/2016 16:54

I must admit, I love the Scottish school holidays. Break up in June and back to school mid-August - just when the nights start drawing in and it feels right to be starting a fresh term at school.

QueenOfTheGinPalace · 03/08/2016 18:52

My birthday is at the end of August and by then, it really does feel autumnal usually. But I agree, this year it does seem to have come early - there are leaves blowing about outside and it's grey and drizzly. Spring was also very early too this year wasn't it, maybe there's a connection? I don't mind, I love Autumn! I love Christmas too, but I'm not sure how I feel about the Christmas chocolate I saw in Sainsbo's earlier... Confused

augustwashout · 03/08/2016 19:04

I know what you mean op, its a sort of non month.

Great if your on a beach/holiday somewhere like the jet set but odd if your stuck at home....

maggiethemagpie · 03/08/2016 19:09

the beginning of August is a new season in the pagan religion, when the earth's energy turns. lugnasadh I think it's called. scientifically this makes sense as it's the point in between summer solstice and autumn equinox.

MariposaUno · 03/08/2016 19:24

I hate that as soon as the 1st of Aug arrives fb tickers of count down to Xmas Angry. even if I've planned Christmas already
For me August is the best of the summer months, the fringe festival(Edinburgh) kicks off and it's usually when we get the best weather as well as the odd dry spell in September.

I do love Autumn so don't mind.

ForalltheSaints · 03/08/2016 20:11

Have to say I enjoy September more. Good weather seems a bonus then not an expectation, and apart from when the children were of school age, have gone on holidays then and everyone seems a lot nicer.

Original poster
NeonPinkNails · 03/08/2016 20:59

September is my favourite month without a doubt. You get that lovely 'fresh start' feeling but usually coupled with nice weather and because you know it won't last much longer you make an effort to enjoy it while you can.

OP posts:
ginorwine · 03/08/2016 21:18

It feels Autumnal and I hate Autumn ! August feel s like Sunday's !
Got to keep hold of summer !!!

CoolCarrie · 03/08/2016 21:26

I love August because it is my birthday month and because The Edinburgh Festival has started! And they have just played Space Oddity at the Tattoo!

OhMrBadger · 03/08/2016 21:30

Gah! I've read the word 'August' too many times and it just looks weird now!

In my childhood it was always a hot, dry month signalling the tail end of summer. But then I grew up in Scotland so school went back halfway through the month. These days it's just a bit rubbish really and is all about keeping the DCs entertained until September.

However, come the end of August I start to look forward to the Autumn - the bestest season of all. Smile

BreconBeBuggered · 03/08/2016 23:57

This is good. I was beginning to think the trees in my garden were broken. I swear the green leaves have just unfurled and they're going all brown already.

tellmeofthetime · 04/08/2016 00:19

My theory is that the whole year has shunted back a month.
So, Spring - Feb March April
Summer - May June July
Autumn - August Sept October
Winter - November Dec January
I've had an allotment for 11 years so I've seen it change with regards to growing too. It's warmer earlier and by August you've 'run out of sunshine' to ripen things

Lovesabadboy · 04/08/2016 00:24

Yep - I always feel that August is like the Sunday of Summer!
I start feeling a bit down that it is the end of the summer once we hit August and, just yesterday, I commented on all the leaves that have come off the trees already.

My DD2 has her birthday on 13th August when she will be 16. I was so glad she was a summer baby, imagining lovely outdoor parties, paddling pools and BBQs. In reality, in 15 years she has had the princely sum of 3 dry birthdays when we have been able to enjoy an outside celebration...I wonder what the 16th birthday will be like?!

Headofthehive55 · 04/08/2016 08:16

I'm already starting to think of fruit crumbles and stews...
We talk if it in terms of very "back end" - Yorkshire for end of summer. I think it us worse this year, but often think after the first week of the summer hols it does switch. I think the summer hols should be July rather than August.

randomer · 04/08/2016 09:26

the thought of getting excited about bobble hats,Halloween and Xmas make me want to slit my wrists.

weeblueberry · 04/08/2016 09:53

August is basically just autumn eve for me...

purplevase4 · 04/08/2016 15:57

My theory is that the whole year has shunted back a month.
So, Spring - Feb March April
Summer - May June July
Autumn - August Sept October
Winter - November Dec January

Interesting because I'd say exactly the opposite!

Winter extends well into March and possibly even April if you're unlucky.

Spring is April and May.

Summer is June and July.

August is well just August.

September and early October is a cooler summer

Late October and November are autumn

December can very weird too like last year when it was 15 degrees!

Winter starts in January until March.

May half term is the best time of year to go away if you've got school-aged kids or are otherwise tied to school holidays so I'd really like to see a longer break then (as eg happens in parts of Cheshire) and a shorter summer holiday.

purplevase4 · 04/08/2016 15:59

And what I forgot to say is that because of the length of the days, the daylight is out of step with the temperature. We NEED the nice weather earlier on in the year, when it feels like summer. June was dismal. Long days and rubbish weather just don't go together and a couple of years ago October half term was really warm but it was really odd because the clocks had gone back and it got dark really early even though it was warm.

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