September is a funny month, isn’t it? Not quite summer, not quite autumn, but somewhere in between. The days are still bright, but the air feels a little crisper, it’s almost like you can smell autumn coming, like the smell of the tarmac after a heavy rain. The evenings draw in just that bit earlier, and there’s a sense that things are gently shifting. You know that moment when summers soundtrack of buzzing bees, distant hums of lawnmowers and the omnipresent ice cream vans begin to fall away? Slowly replaced by something softer like the gentle rustle of leaves underfoot, birds calling to their flock as they migrate towards the promise of warmer climates and of course the zips and poppers of transitional jackets! Let us show you what we mean…
Imagine waking up in your luxury lodge, bed so comfy you aren’t ready to move, pillow haphazardly tucked around you, the fresh morning air drifting in through the slightly open window and all you can hear is the distance song of blackbirds and robins collecting breakfast. The dawn chorus is something very special in Winchester, amplified by the ancient woodlands ideally situated far away from the hustle and bustle of car horns and revving engines.
As you listen you can hear the distant reverberating of the Cathedral bells chiming in perfect unison. One big stretch, an ear-to-ear grin and you are excited to begin your day! Incidentally if you follow the sound of the bells and that of the infamous organ (built in 1851) you can enjoy the Persuasion & Poetry Festival (12-21 September), part of the Jane Austen 250th anniversary celebrations, as well as the Birthday Celebration Week for Jane Austen (13-21 September).
If you wandered on to Hampshire’s farmers’ market, the sounds change again. The gentle hum of friendly chatter floats through the air, with a smattering of happy laughter and gentle bartering. You’ll hear stallholders calling out their wares, the clink of glass jars filled with local honey, the satisfying crackle of paper bags being filled with just-picked apples and mouth watering cheeses. It’s a comforting medley of sounds, full of warmth and community spirit, perfectly reflecting the turning of the season.
If you wander further still to follow the path of the River Itchen, the sound of happy picnickers and the fizz-pop of cans opening is replaced by the sound of the water, splashing over the stones in the meanders and between stone arches. Then of course the sound of kingfishers and the calls of mute swans, mallards, and wood pigeons. If you listen really hard you may even hear the sounds of the voles splashing in search of fish.
And then there’s the championship golf course, just a stone’s throw from your lodge. If you are on your balcony enjoying your morning coffee, listen out for the satisfying thwack of a well-struck drive cutting through the air, followed by the gentle roll of a ball across the green. All set against a backdrop of soon-to-be falling leaves with scampering squirrels catching the falling conkers and acorns.
After a day of exploration, return to your lodge where the only sounds you can hear are crackle of the woodburning stove and the trickle of the hot tub just waiting to invite you to sink beneath the warm bubbles.
We would love you to come and experience these wonderful sounds this September, it’s a stunning transition between the seasons that we want to share with you. You can check our availability right here: https://www.southwinchesterlodges.co.uk/contact/