Babi Leto

The weather for most of September so far has been miserable. This weekend, though, an early taste of Babi Leto arrived.

Babi Leto means something like ‘Grannies’ summer’, and is so named because of the long, white strands of spiderwebby stuff that float through the air at this time of year. They might look like spiderwebs to some, but to the people who make up nicknames they apparently look like Grandmothers’ hair. In any case it's the year's last gasp of summery weather before the leaves drop, the winds blow up and people start dusting off their skis and skates.

Autumn’s my favourite season here; the days are still long, the crowds of summer tourists have gone home, things like the theatre, the jazz club and the cultural events at the university have all started up again. On sunny days people are out strolling, walking their dogs, collecting chestnuts in the park, hunting mushrooms in the forest and just enjoying the crisp, clear sunshiney days.

I think I’ll go for a bike ride through the park before I have to start work. Want to come along…?