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Sitting in the garden

(68 Posts)
Willow500 Sat 19-May-18 16:38:49

Only I'm no!. It's a beautiful day - I've watched the wedding and then been out to cut the grass and tidy the garden - and now I'm sitting in this windowless box wondering why we have tables and chairs out there in 3 different areas but never ever sit outside? I can't even explain why to myself let alone others who think we're weird. The odd occasions we did used to sit out was when we had family to visit or family parties but those days are gone so now I'm left pondering why. I've come to the conclusion it might be the chairs - not particularly comfortable or the sun - can't see to read - the heat - I'm not good in heat or just simply that I don't DO outdoors! Is anyone else the same?

rockgran Sat 19-May-18 16:48:13

Yes, I don't do outdoors either. I like to look outside but am not keen on sitting there! It is too hot or too cold or windy or there are insects, or it is smoky or noisy. If I go in the garden it is usually to do some gardening. I may sit there to have a cool drink to revive me but I prefer to sit inside. I love to see it though. flowers

BlueBelle Sat 19-May-18 16:49:55

I m the opposite in the garden either pottering, weeding potting up or just sitting as much as I possibly can on good days I take my breakfast out no table just a tree stump and a second hand recliner I bought in the charity shop
LOVE IT

kittylester Sat 19-May-18 16:55:11

We were like that, mainly because we were always too busy but have made a pact to sit in one or other of our 3 areas at least once a day.

We missed the whole of last summer thinking I'll just get this done before I sit in the sun' now we try to say 'I'll sit in the sun before I do that'.

The vit D is really good for us all.

ninathenana Sat 19-May-18 16:59:33

I can't sit in the sun like I used to but my favourite chair is next to the open patio door and if I stretch out my hand is in the garden grin
We do have a large garden umbrella but our chairs are not comfortable enough for more than half an hour.

Panache Sat 19-May-18 17:00:17

I have DONE outdoors oh! yes I have done it all my life........from early morn till night time in fact and loved,loved,loved every minute of it.............Out walking,on my scooter,whether ,lying on a sun bed,sitting on a chair by a pool,the seaside or at a table in the garden......even gardening itself.
However now I cannot,am no longer allowed to soak up the lovely sun...........my own fault entirely.
I have had a run of skin cancers and it is at such a stage even sitting in a Conservatory kicks off another would be cancer.
Medical advice has been to not just smother in high factor sun cream,wear a hat and clothes that cover up,but at this stage I really need simply to avoid outside in the sunnier weather.
So all the outside furniture is, very sadly, redundant.............and I am not an exactly "happy bunny!!"

jusnoneed Sat 19-May-18 17:18:35

I don't like sitting out in the heat either. We did have some wooden chairs which finally went to the tip last week, gradually rotted and don't think they'd been used for the last two years. Various uncomfortable bench seats appeared and disappeared over the years lol.
I tend to do anything outside as early in the day as I can and then shut the door and stay inside, much cooler.

sodapop Sat 19-May-18 17:21:26

I'm glad I'm not the only one Willow I don't like outside either, hate sitting in the sun and dislike gardening.. I could think of nothing worse than a holiday sitting in the sun.
I love Autumn, spring and winter in that order, really don't like high summer.
I did need a Vit D booster last year.

Anniebach Sat 19-May-18 17:23:43

I feel rather lost sitting outdoors on my own so don’t

gillybob Sat 19-May-18 17:28:44

Managed to avoid the wedding all day by having lunch in the garden then painting my shed and outdoor table and chairs . All looking fabulous.

Nandalot Sat 19-May-18 17:42:53

Bit like you, Willow. Keep saying we must sit out more and have bought new Jack and Jill bench but its site is not ready yet. Too much faff to get out the sunloungers.

Bit worried about your windowless box though.

goldengirl Sat 19-May-18 17:45:27

I pop in and out like those little weather people. I enjoy reading in the sun but not for too long. I also just like to sit and listen to the birds too. Bliss!

Auntieflo Sat 19-May-18 17:55:26

I am another who cannot sit in the sun now. I used to, when a lot, lot, younger, but it just gives me a headache now. Breakfast in the garden is lovely while it is cooler and fresh. I used to cut the grass for some elderly neighbours, in my youth, and they had a beautiful garden, but neither of them ever sat outside, and I used to wonder why, but now I know.

ginny Sat 19-May-18 18:12:16

Sitting out now. Plants all ready to go in on Monday after spending the morning at a Garden centre with DD3. Love being outside especially to have a meal.

tanith Sat 19-May-18 18:13:16

I’m outside a lot , today I’ve sat out reading my book for a long time. We have chairs to relax in and I either put them under a tree or put my table parasol up at the table if it’s too hot. So many folks don’t have a garden to enjoy it’s such a shame not too enjoy just sitting and take time to smell the roses. If you’re worried about the sun why not sit outside but in the shade.

chicken Sat 19-May-18 18:16:25

I love sitting in the garden but only in the shade. I avoid hot sunshine like the plague. All the gardening gets done in the cool early morning, then a shady sit but as soon as the sun moves so that my shady bit disappears, then it's indoors with the shades drawn until the cool of the evening. Even as a child I avoided the sun. My mother loved it and would bake until a crispy brown, and was always exhorting me to "Get your head out of that book and come outdoors" but I much preferred to skulk indoors.

KatyK Sat 19-May-18 18:19:25

We don't make the most of our garden. It's quite a big one and we keep it neat and have garden furniture which we rarely use. This lovely weather makes me think we should make more of it - have barbecues etc. Although we are in the city, we have a nice outlook. We are not overlooked and have a canal at the back of the garden.

Maggiemaybe Sat 19-May-18 18:24:04

I love to be outside walking round, but soon get fed up sitting out. I'm not good with too much heat and insects, particularly the flying, stinging sort, adore me. It's usually a quick cuppa with the morning paper and I'm off in to cool down. At the moment the lilac's out though, so I tend to stay a bit longer.

Nannylovesshopping Sat 19-May-18 20:16:55

If it’s not raining, I’m outside, there’s always something to do, I love my garden, my happy place. I am happy nurturing plants, coaxing them to grow, weeding, pruning, even slapping wood stain on fences, even like cutting the grass, clearing up after the dog is maybe not the best chore! I eat all my meals, drink coffee and rather large gins (rhubarb is my favourite this year) read books, it’s where I’m happiest?

Willow500 Sat 19-May-18 20:43:47

I'm glad I'm not alone smile I do think if my other half was interested in sitting out it might happen more but he's worse than me. I've often thought how breakfast out there would be lovely but at 5.30 am trying to get his lunch packed up and him getting ready to go to work at 6 it doesn't even compute. Weekends we get up at different times and although I work from home and could do coffee out there I rarely leave my desk. I tend to only go out there when the gardening tasks make me feel guilty and it has to be warm to even hang the washing out. Hopefully retirement (and some comfy chairs) might bring some changes! I might add the conservatory doesn't fare any better either - too hot and bright in the summer and too cold in the winter!

By the way my 'windowless box' is a little office stuffed to the gills with 'stuff' but no outside views smile

sodapop Sat 19-May-18 21:11:32

We could be twins Willow no conservatory for me either. I don't suppose I will change now so resign myself to spending July & August inside with my trusty fan.

OldMeg Sat 19-May-18 21:47:40

I’ve had a 3-seater swing thing for years now. I love to lie on it with a good book and the top positioned so I don’t get too much sun and watch the birds feeding because they can’t see me.

It’s in my own Secret Garden, away from everything else.

Omaoma57 Sun 20-May-18 10:28:31

We had a conservatory but it was either too hot or too cold....so we made it into a garden room...now never go out...much happier to sit and watch the world...i have had skin cancer so i do have an excuse but the chairs and other garden furniture slowly age...

maryhoffman37 Sun 20-May-18 10:38:15

We have a three seater swing too, OldMeg and the greatest treat is having our 11am coffee on it, as we will do this morning. Gently swinging, drinking excellent ground coffee, sitting next to the man I love and looking at our favourite view of the house. Sometimes with a cat or three in attendance. No wonder it's a treat!

Applegran Sun 20-May-18 10:39:24

I just came in from sitting in the garden reading the paper and found this thread! I suppose it is all down to our own likes and dislikes - but some of those are based on whether we sat outside with our parents, or learnt to enjoy country walks when we were children. I believe we evolved to be outside much of the time, under the sky and with green things around us, and it actually improves our lives and moods - but old habits may stop our enjoyment of being out of doors. It takes a conscious effort to create new habits but I guess you may find it is really worth it!