Dark evenings

Next weekend! - heavens no! I hate the dark evenings and the fact that going out to anything involves driving miles in the pitch dark - no street lights here. It puts me off going out a bit, particularly if it is raining and dark - I hate driving in that.

What? Already?
No way! I still haven't found a winter skirt and I'm not going to pay £300+ to have a kilt made in Irish tweed. Much as I'd love one.

My heart sinks too at the way the days are virtually halved once it starts getting dark before 4. But on the plus side, cosy fires, drawing the curtains, no pressure to be in the garden, soups and stews, warm woolly jumpers, lovely scarves, boots and gloves- always look on the bright side!

Don't like it either, I often take a walk after dinner and OH always puts the wind up me by saying 'I don't like you going out walking in the dark' and it puts me off so miss out on my walk. I hate having to shut the blinds as Soutra says its like the day is cut in half.

I'm almost thankful for the shortened days as by the end of the summer I find my energy levels plunging and longer days make me feel I ought to be carrying on gardening/cooking/ironing etc.

Now there will be a good excuse to leave dinner in the slow cooker, light the woodburner, make a cuppa and watch Pointless

Won't be too bad for us, as we are always 1 hr ahead of you- and we are quite a bit further South. But I don't like it either and wish we could keep longer afternoons. But a bit selfish this, as we don't have to get up early to drive miles in the dark- as I used to before.

I hate the dark afternoons I often feel ready for bed at 7.00pm - give me light nights and mornings anytime.

To keep myself going I think about 10 days after Xmas I notice the days getting slightly longer.

This year's Indian summer has seemed to put off the inevitable feeling of cold and darkness.

I set myself goals. By the time the novelty of an early finish to the day wears off I'm well into Christmas preparations especially cooking and freezing. We don't bother much with New Year so it's nice to get it out the way and look forward to the end of January when you start to notice just a little bit more light in the evenings. My favourite gardening books come down from the shelf and the first snowdrops tell me, 'Here we go again!'

Winter can be short if you don't let it go on for too long.

Oh dear this means I will be ready for bed by 8pm now.

Why do people want to go to bed early just because it gets dark early?

I have been going to bed early since my knee op, by 9pm I am needing to lie down, try to read in bed until Linda comes up - never make it.

I like the dark evenings, I love cosying up in the house, a little oasis of light in the dark. The clocks going back mean autumn and winter to me, the cold, the wet - my daily walk leaves me with a damp or cold face and a feeling of being invigorated - and the warmth as I get back to my nest.

Love the dark nights, candles lite, curtains drawn, thoughts of C______S
the looking forward to a warm weather holiday.
BLISS !!!!

You've only just got back from holiday, Nonu! Do spare a thought for those of us poor souls who can't just nip off abroad when the fancy takes us!

I'm dreading the clocks going back. It takes me ages to adjust...

Ana

Oh no! I'll hardly see any daylight! I start work at 04.00 and finish at 07.00 It will be dark when I come home from work. I don't mind going in the dark, I'm used to that having been a Night Nurse until I retired. Let's look on the bright side, "If winter comes, can Spring be far behind".

DH has out up the little Christmas lights around our kitchen window to cheer me up in the dark evenings and when I get up in the dark mornings. It helps a little

goldengirl why on earth would you put up Christmas lights, Ive noticed some houses near me have got them up, its really too soon, it will be Christmas trees next.
You lot on gnet will be complaining that we are all preparing too soon for Christmas. OMG, I thought I was bad putting my stuff up the second week of December.

I agree that it's a bit too early for Christmas lights, ethel!

(In fact, a lot too early...)

Didn't Nigella have twinkly lights round her kitchen (film set) all year round?

The good thing about winter for me is that all the insects and creepy crawlies disappear!

Oh I love the shortened days and all that autumn brings. When I was a child I was allowed to stay at home (instead of being made to 'go out to play') and read. I used to walk miles through pea-souper fogs to go to the library every week and then snuggle down to read in the evenings. Somehow it's easier to give myself permission to read more in the autumn/winter than I do in the spring/summer.

Will the time come when we leave the C....S trees and lights up all year round?

ANA< 18.21

My hugs to you Sweetie.
xx