Long evenings

watermeadow - I have the same problem and haven't found the solution.
When we were younger we used to go out to our local bridge club on these dark evenings, but too much effort now. Especially driving home in the dark at midnight.
My other solution is to listen to music on youtube (if you like music).
You can plan your own concert.

For me it's jigsaws, words with friends on my phone, family history research, jewellery making, OU free Spanish course this year and Pilate's one night a week. Not much time for TV after all that but I do like the odd nature program ...

I usually potter around doing bits and bobs. Sometimes watch tv, sometimes listen to music, or find something interesting on YouTube.

Words with friends plus other word games, tv, pottering, snacking, bit of fam history, bit of crafts, otherwise not a lot

I knit while watching tv. That way I don't feel I'm wasting my time.

Try Ruzzle too, you WordswithFriends fans - addictive too and I have now made good friends in the US with great discussions on our different words and pronunciations!

I knit (4 Aran hoodies completed for DGSs and great nephew and niece) and just started a cardigan for me. I'm also started crocheting Attic 24's Woodland blanket yesterday. I read while enjoying long soaks in the bath with bubbles and candles, do my nails and try to make inroads into an embarrassing amount of body lotions I've been given.
The evenings are a great excuse for being indulgent, something l feel guilty about in the summer when there's always something to get done in the garden!
An early night with a good book and a cup of milky coffee is bliss ☺️?

I was OU student back in 1981 (graduated in 88) and met and married DH when he was my summer school tutor. Desperately keen to do a second degree with them studying languages, but agree that sadly it has become unaffordable (back in the day people could afford to take one degree after another if, like me, they had an interest in a wide range of things!). Hate TV and wouldn't have a set at all if DH and DS didn't insist on watching and if I didn't play console games. During the day I play keyboard for local over-55 choir, am on the group's committee (acting Chair) and do Aqua Fit and Gentle Exercise classes weekly. When otherwise not occupied? radio, read, knit, craft, computer games, e-mail, penpals, currently doing Creative Writing course, family tree etc. - how on earth did I ever have time to go to work?

What about putting your internet habit to some use. Perhaps study something there are lots of interesting free courses (often quite short -three to six weeks) at futurelearn. Or perhaps a new interest, genealogy or writing for pleasure. Personally I am four months into learning to play the bagpipes. I am homeless but I love the company one night a week, it is quite cheap at first and gives me lots if fun, and some frustration to be honest. But learning anything new is tough but rewarding.

I'm glad you said that Henetha. I think most of what I do is a waste of time if I analyse it but I am reasonably happy so why not? I do make things for a charity and win things online most of which go into a charity fundraiser but mostly I happily dither away my time. Including here.

Reading all these things you get up to - can someone tell this on line games novice more about 'Words with friends please' - sounds ok - but on looking for it, cant decide whether I have to play on Facebook or can I just have the app.
Anyone like sudoku and it's various alternatives - I like to challenge myself to five of the daily games on Puzzle Madness - if you sign up, which means just an email address, password and a playing name, it gives you points for each game completed and gives you a position in the table with everyone that is also playing. Not an app - just online. Do as many games as you feel like - no obligation and you never get contacted by anyone.

I do my family tree - the hours fly by! I also do the FutureLearn courses; I've learned some wonderful new stuff!

Why not invite friends and family over to you or set up a weekly interest reading/discussion group in your home if transport is difficult or learn to drive or use taxis or move into town!!!

I do a lot of knitting and crochet and make stuff - cabled sweaters etc - for friends and family. Recently I have been making hats, scarves and gloves for the homeless /very poor in our town. One group that I know of, knits hats for the nearest oncology unit and for the premature baby unit. Then there are teddies for tragedies ; blankets for the care homes, to name just some. I like to have a couple of different things on the go so that I can swap between them and not get bored!

Neil I trust you are hopeless at the bagpipes and not homeless...

I think it must be a very difficult instrument to play.

Samie I play Words with Friends on an app on my phone (I don't do Facebook).

I went with my daughter to a music gig recently and she secretly photographed me waiting in the queue playing Words With Friends and posted the pic on Instagram much to her friends amusement - there I am engrossed and not at all bored in a queue.

Read, watch television, listen to the radio or cd.
Try not to pick at the chocolates left over from Christmas.
I also do crossword, linkwords.

I do knitting, sewing and puzzles while the television is on. (No British TV here so it's Netflix but I do mix live TV) I adore Jigsaws.

One huge benefit is the length of daylight here in SW France, it doesn't get dark until about 6 even in December, so the dark evenings aren't so difficult to fill. By the time I've cleared away dinner and listened to the Archers (an hour later here) it's only a few hours until bedtime. We've just got into Ozark on Netflix.

I love to read, and I can easily get lost in a book for the entire evening. I don't have TV but I am a big fan of the radio - speech broadcasts, not music stations. On a cold dark evening I'm often snuggled under the duvet with my earbuds in, listening to radio shows. I never mind if I can't sleep because there are a number of interesting options for listening overnight - on BBC Radio 4, 4Extra, 5 and LBC.

Have you tried the ‘Spotify’ app? It’s free. It’s great to download favourite songs (no need as in the past to buy a whole CD) and then pop your choices into playlists of your own making - for instance one of mine is ‘Memories’ where I add songs that remind me of a person or a particular event etc. It’s fun and absorbing!

Song pop 2 on the iPad. You play against others guessing songs, you can choose your decade, I’m on the 60s. There are so many games to play on the iPad which are good fun and don’t cost money. I am an avid reader so the library is great for me. Also a web site called Read any book is good. I like the tv but very picky, can’t wait for Poldark to return. I see Vera is back tonight, like Endeavour and any good drama. If stuck, I take any drawer into the lounge and sort it out while the tv is on. I can always find something that wants doing.

Forgot to say there is an app called oldies radio for those who want to listen to days gone by. Good selection of music on here, just listening to some from the 50s.

Future learn online courses are a great way to keep your mind active, learn new subjects extend your knowledge. They are free to join, you only pay if you want a certificate to the course or continued access to it.

We try to get away for a holiday in January to break up winter... it is a long month and weather can turn bitter. I play bridge in club one night but put in more hours online playing. I follow various interests on Youtube, very easy to disappear down a wormhole there as it suggests other items of interest. Sadly I watch 'live' television rarely, perhaps to catch updates on news and weather. There is always some material on Newflix to watch or something recorded on the tv box. I miss new programs by never seeing trailers ( whizz thru ad breaks etc) but with luck I can catch something I have heard talk of by watching iplayer of the tv channel.

Have you a local book club?
These provide a little social life in the evenings and are fun. You get to meet local people who may offer to drive you around!