An Indian Summer!

Normal temperatures appear to be topsy turvy everywhere at the moment and the UK is no exception!  Starting at a 10 degree hike on temperatures normal for this time of year we are thoroughly enjoying an ‘Indian’ summer.

So, what is this term, Indian summer?  Here it is described as period of unseasonably dry, warm and calm weather which follows colder weather in late Autumn.

“The term Indian summer reached England in the 19th century, during the heyday of the British Raj in India. This lead to the mistaken belief that the term referred to the Indian subcontinent. In fact, the Indians in question were the Native Americans, and the term began use there in the late 18th century.  The English already had names for the phenomenon - St. Luke’s Summer, St. Martin’s Summer or All-Hallown Summer, but these have now all but disappeared and, like the rest of the world, the term Indian summer has been used in the UK for at least a century.

Why Indian? Well, no one knows but, as is commonplace when no one knows, many people have guessed. Here are a few of the more commonly repeated guesses:

• When European settlers first came across the phenomenon in America it became known as the Indian's Summer.
• The haziness of the Indian Summer weather was caused by prairie fires deliberately set by Native American tribes.
• It was the period when First Nations/Native American peoples harvested their crops.
• The phenomenon was more common in what were then North American Indian territories.
• It relates to the marine shipping trade in the Indian Ocean (this is highly dubious as it is entirely remote from the early US citations).
• It originated from raids on European settlements by Indian war parties, which usually ended in autumn.
• In a parallel with other 'Indian' terms it implied a belief in Indian falsity and untrustworthiness and that an Indian summer was an ersatz copy of the real thing.”

“…” quoted from The Phrase Finder http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/indian-summer.html

Anyway, since I am staying with my husband at our bolt hole in Devon we were told about a small cove that would warrant a visit and it is called Blackpool Sands.  This is not to be confused with Blackpool in the north of England!

We have been told there are restaurant facilities and the crab salad is to die for!  Oh joy, food again!!!!

Some things we might see at the beach!

Sea Spray original watercolour by Yankeegirl

Mousepad – under the sea by Scottieacres

Almost there … an original painting by Heronkate

Aye there matey by VanFleetStreetDesign

Follow the Leader black and white print by BethPeardonProds

and cheekily … Under the Sea Caves by Onawhimsey

Check out further wonderful items from the BBEST team, ENJOY!!!

ENJOY!!!!