November might be colder than what I prefer, but the beauty makes up for it.

I forgot how beautiful November could be, when fall is in full spring. Last week, on our way to the city center for Christmas shopping, I did a double take at a park that I usually overlooked. This park was on the bus route to the city center, just a small area of greenery surrounded by office buildings and restaurants. Most times of the year, I barely glanced at this park, but yesterday I actually got off the bus right there. I just had to, and I thought, ‘Oh, Christmas shopping can wait.’

If you know me, then you’ll know this park must have been seriously gorgeous to make me say that about Christmas shopping.

Long story short, we spent almost an hour there until my fingers were frozen, before rushing to the Christmas market for some delicious mulled wine to warm us up. We did Christmas shopping after that, and ended up with our first plastic Christmas tree and a few bags with Christmas paraphernalia.

Just as we walked home, I noticed the park near our home was actually more beautiful than the first park we stopped at today. This park is about 5-minute walk from home, and I walk past it every time I go out. And yet, it had never looked that beautiful. The sun-dappled trees formed a yellow canopy over the path, with yellowish-brown leaves covering the grounds.

So we rushed home to dump our Christmas treasures and went back to the park, hoping the light was still as gorgeous as it had been a few minutes earlier. It was.

The first time I came to Southampton, I was convinced this city wasn’t so beautiful. But in this time of the year, I’m starting to doubt whether I was wrong.

Maybe I’ve changed my mind about Southampton.