You know that it's autumn when...

you go into your bedroom and think, 'I should shut the window', only to find that the window is already shut. It's just quite chilly!
The skies are blue and air is nice and clear - I really like this time of year. (I don't know if it's because it's bringing back nice memories of being here last year and exploring Miyagi and beyond, enjoying my new situation; or if it's because I'm just not built to withstand hot weather; or because I just like autumn - esp with autumn colours and crunchy leaves on the floor- which, btw you don't seem to see much here, people sweep them away as soon as they fall!; and my birthday). The Japanese have a saying, it seems - 天高く馬肥ゆる秋　- 'Autumn with the sky clear and blue, and horses growing stout'. (Apparently people- and animals tend to eat more in autumn, no less than in Miyagi where people go outside with friends and family to have an imonikai- lots of food in a pot...hopefully more details later when i go next week.)
In Autumn, in Japan, a country in love with the seasons, people change their entire wardrobe it seems. People will be replacing their ridiculously high stiletto sandals for high heeled boots (and all kinds of autumn boots). In a place where, unlike Britain, they don't seem to import much food, so eat according to what's in season [hence the ridiculously cheap local fish I've been eating this week], soon it will be Rifu pear and persimmon (not necessarily from here!) overload.

Maybe it's because I'm a bit tired, but with the coming of the cool, crisp air, I've been missing the strangest things recently. The smell of the countryside in France, baguettes; hot chocolates with friends in Cafe Rouge and other things I've already forgotten! This time of year also reminds me of Durham- maybe because it was always much cooler up north. (But still with the ridiculously long holidays, term time would still not have started by now!) Plus doing some exercise- I'm now into my training, whoo- thanks, Becca! - cannot fail to remind me of good times with the boat club. Although I must say that running is much easier to organise, e.g. no failed outings due to lack of a cox! But you can't beat our old crew spirit and atmosphere...