I was fascinated to read about the 72 ‘kō’ (micro-seasons) of the traditional Japanese calendar, along with the 24 solar terms. Such a beautiful and poetic concept, not to mention the closer connection with daily life than our modern 3-month long seasons.

Each year, as soon as the weather is warm enough, and as long as it’s not raining, I eat my breakfast outside. The last few days have seen me pull on extra layers first thing. We’re a little early, but the 7th or 8th August marks the start of the Risshū (beginning of autumn) solar term, and the 37th kō - cool winds arrive . In Bedfordshire as well as Japan, it seems.