The start of the academic year and the autumnal darker, colder nights causes many complaints. After all the moaning and groaning about being back to school I feel I should re-dress the balance. There's a fresh chill in the air in the morning and it's a fresh, new start to the school year. I love September!

I'm back in my various "Broom Cupboard" scenarios again (referring to my recent book Letters from The Broom Cupboard) and busy in my own music room - but I'm not complaining! I really love the sense of a new start. Over the summer break I've drawn a line under any disappointments and failures from last academic year and I've reflected upon any successes too. With fresh motivation and new goals I always feel ready to embrace September. It's like a second chance at New Year's Day! I always (and I mean always, without fail) resolve to keep my teaching diary neat and tidy - and I begin well at least. Ultimately some weeks are more legible than others.

This inexplicable sense of pleasure must surely also be linked with the fact that I really love Autumn. I love the smell of the air, the slight chill and the colour of the leaves falling from the trees. It's also time to start thinking of putting a log fire in the hearth. I love walking and kicking the leaves. Sometimes my husband and I will just go for a brief wander and a chat and we refer to it as "kicking leaves time." I don't dislike Summer but by September I'm ready for a change - and I genuinely love Autumn. I love the clothes appropriate to the season. I'd much prefer to wear big woolly socks and knitted jumpers than flimsy flip-flops. I also really enjoy the onset of the darker nights: Cosy candles, lamps and twinkly lights inside the house and outside too! Who wouldn't love this time of year?