Pool party plus (a summer summary)

 The next three weeks mark the height of the holiday season and nothing will work normally, so all one can do is relax, go with the holiday flow and wear pretty summer clothes. I'm not complaining! I love summer best and am trying to make the most of it before things go back to the usual stuff in September. You know the feeling, no doubt!

 

This evening we had a residents' party in the pretty condo garden. They've called it a pool party ... despite its not being held in a pool. Maybe the idea was that after a few glasses of prosecco we'd imagine a pool. Or the organiser had already had a few when they named it. Never mind, we all brought something home-made to eat and some booze and that's what it's all about. Forget the diet for one evening! 

Down the garden path

 

Later in the week we have the town fireworks over the harbour, which are always an exciting sight. The town itself is full of holidaymakers, beach clubs are in full swing, the bars open late, there lots of open-air concerts and assorted entertainments, including many free ones, and it's nice and lively as a result. 

Of course, there's the open-air pool and that's a daily treat. It's not just for lounging; I do actually do quite a lot of swimming which always does me good. I was somewhat disabled after an injury at work 25 years ago and swimming really helps get the right muscles exercised.

I'm also loving all the colourful flowers there are at the moment, especially in the hedgerows. 

There's time for some stargazing as well in the clear, warm nights. The Perseid meteor shower promises to be very good this year, reaching its height on the 12th. I was sorry to hear of the passing of astronaut Jim Lovell last week. The Space Race was very much a part of my growing up. So if I see a shooting star I shall make a wish that he's at peace.

The weather this last month has been perfect here. The whole Alpine region has been very rainy over the same period, but not here where the mountains hit the sea. That rain elsewhere resulted in cooler air blowing here, making the temperatures just perfect. Thanks guys: your suffering is our relief! It's a bit hotter this week and my tan is darkening daily. Not that you need to go out in direct sunlight to tan because the diffused sunlight all around is enough to give you the benefit. 

I feel a lot better for having epilated this summer, a lot less dysphoric, and it's been good to take a few photos for the record. It'd be nice to go out in a bikini like everyone else (well, the women at least!) but I'm not at that stage of confidence at the moment. I need to find a trans friend to go out with, which is proving less straightforward than I thought. There are plenty of TGirl meetups in Italy but not, it seems, near to home. Research continues.

 

I've lost another kilo (2 pounds) this week and that's all to the good, too.

I'm trying not to think about the dark cloud looming in September when I must help this relative of mine who went into hospital in mid-May for a routine operation and is still there after disaster struck. This help includes doing their tax return! At least after that I'll be having two friends from Britain coming to stay for a couple of weeks.

Thanks for reading. Have a good summer.

Sue x