Some people say that August is the Sunday of summer.

Certainly it is a mixed bag of month and for those who cannot imagine leaving the house without a coat then this is the last summer month for you.

Others will brave the shorts and sandals a few more times during August and squeeze every last second from the summer before all eyes turn to the coming of autumn.

It has been a tough year and it threatens to become all the tougher as the cost of living crisis, coupled with soaring fuel prices and ongoing impact of Brexit and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, continues to cause concern.

Certainly it is a very worrying time and, if you are not careful, then all these worries can become overwhelming.

Thankfully sanctuary and peace of mind can always be found in our hills and valleys where we can lose ourself and immerse ourselves with the natural world.

These simple pleasures are not to be taken for granted and whereas a few years ago many would describe country living as too slow paced the tide has turned on urban living's popularity.

Many city dwellers have realised the cost of living in these large urban areas negate the high wages which they moved there for in the first place.

Many people have now begun to look at the country and its more peaceful way of life as preferable and we can only hope this leads to greater investment into vital services in rural areas.

Border Counties Advertizer: Flower power in Colemere. Picture by Mary Morgan.

Flower power in Colemere. Picture by Mary Morgan.

Border Counties Advertizer: Mushrooms in the woods. Picture by Michael Anthony Adams-Wade.

Mushrooms in the woods. Picture by Michael Anthony Adams-Wade.

Border Counties Advertizer: A stonechat in good voice. Picture by Paul Meakin.

A stonechat in good voice. Picture by Paul Meakin.

Border Counties Advertizer: Two common red soldier beetles. Picture by Paul Meakin.

Two common red soldier beetles. Picture by Paul Meakin.

Border Counties Advertizer: A posing cow. Picture by Mary Morgan.

A posing cow. Picture by Mary Morgan.

Border Counties Advertizer: Whittington Castle ruins. Picture by Julie Sheffield.

Whittington Castle ruins. Picture by Julie Sheffield.

Border Counties Advertizer: These little piggies stayed at home. Picture by Ed Clay.

These little piggies stayed at home. Picture by Ed Clay.

Border Counties Advertizer: A pair of jackdaws. Picture by Michael Anthony Adams-Wade.

A pair of jackdaws. Picture by Michael Anthony Adams-Wade.

Border Counties Advertizer: Garden features. Picture by Tracey Austin.

Garden features. Picture by Tracey Austin.

Border Counties Advertizer: A sneaky rat. Picture by Julie Sheffield.

A sneaky rat. Picture by Julie Sheffield.

Border Counties Advertizer: It's a dogs life. Picture by Jan Gilchrist.

It's a dogs life. Picture by Jan Gilchrist.

Border Counties Advertizer: Llansilin valley views. Picture by Marian Morris.

Llansilin valley views. Picture by Marian Morris.

Border Counties Advertizer: A bee in the garden. Picture by John Quine.

A bee in the garden. Picture by John Quine.

Border Counties Advertizer: Fascinating dragonfly emergence. Picture by Paul Meakin.

Fascinating dragonfly emergence. Picture by Paul Meakin.

Border Counties Advertizer: One for spider fans. Picture by Andrew Moz.

One for spider fans. Picture by Andrew Moz.