It's that time of year again.

[ringway]

It is slashing down with rain and it went dark at around 5pm.

We have only had two days of the early darkness and as usual, I'm not a happy bunny.

The weather will be mucky.
I'll be lucky to get many runs out in my RS6 after what was a summer of confinement for me and the car.

We had the lockdown and I also had a lot of building works going on outside at home, so I stored the car out of harms way for most of the summer.
I only got it back around 10 days ago. Still, it won't do the mileage any harm if I come to sell it.

To those that bemoaned the lovely summer weather we had, what are you saying now?

It's usually a little old lady wearing a headscarf and a mack, pulling along a bag on wheels with a ton of Whiskas cat food in it.

"Oooooh isn't it warm? Are you warm love? Ooh I'm sweating cobs, I am. Do you like this hot weather?"

Oh well, it'll soon be Christmas...

 

[T5R+]

Summer was pretty much a "washout" for motorcycling or even top-down cabriolet fun days - just felt wrong to be out enjoying oneself with so much going on. However, the weather itself was delightful. We normally have to pay for such.

Wintertime - accept it for what it is. Do not particularly like going to work in the dark and returning home in the dark. Have a decent warm and comfortable car with many gadgets to help eg "bum warmers", so not too bad. However, my hate is - pedestrians/cyclists/joggers at 6am with dark clothing/no lights/earbuds/etc on the dimly lit roads.

I try (but fail miserably) not to wash the car for a month during wintertime, as love to see what is underneath after the dirt/grime has been removed.

 

[whitenemesis]

I love the change in season, not that we have clear defined seasons anymore. Helps one appreciate the ones one longs for. Spring will be with us before too long. Time just flies by for me these days...

 

[Deleted member 113659]

I empathise with everyone who struggles at this time of the year. Must be awful to feel low and many suffering with SAD.

Our daughter is one of them. She’s struggled for many years when the nights start drawing in. This year she’s suffering To such an extent that we’re taking her to a specialist councillor weekly. It’s upsetting seeing her so down.

I on the other hand love this time of year. Always have.

 

[poormansporsche]

I empathise with everyone who struggles at this time of the year. Must be awful to feel low and many suffering with SAD.

Our daughter is one of them. She’s struggled for many years when the nights start drawing in. This year she’s suffering To such an extent that we’re taking her to a specialist councillor weekly. It’s upsetting seeing her so down.

I on the other hand love this time of year. Always have.

Sorry to hear that mate. My eldest daughter is socially awkward due to being exceptionally tall from a early age and had counselling for a long time. Fortunately she has now stopped growing and many of her peers have caught up height wise. Just this week we have relegated her counseling "Box" to the loft.

Kids are tough cookies and hope it all works out for you all.

 

[fabes]

Vacuumed the lawn yesterday as phase 1 of the leaves had landed
Not a job I relish, but not a job I would have anyone else do

Fresh air, a little exercise and a (bit of a) better outlook across the moss, I mean lawn

The little things are what I hope we all value more these days

Sorry to hear about your daughter Ant
My youngest has been in a bad and dark place for years due to coming and going (but never really going) alopecia.....
She's been on AD's for a couple of years and doesn't really connect with the counsellors we've tried, but she has good days (and is doing well in sixth form)
It's never easy as a dad to see your little girl unwell and there's nothing you can do that helps

However, on a lighter note, how many sleeps to.....?

 

[KennyN]

Having worked "shifts" for most of my working light we are now coming into my season of limited natural light , home from the nightshift - dark , wake up - dark, coupled to the fact it is nearly always raining up here it is not my favourite time of the year . Our building has no natural light as it has no windows and is kept at a constant 20 degrees all year round with LED (headache) lighting everywhere , even Eeyore would find it depressing, thank goodness i will be in a position to retire in around 14 months.

It never really bothered me previously but now with all that has been going on in the world it seems that the little things can become more of an issue.

Having said that , lovely sky this morning at 06.30.



K

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Having worked "shifts" for most of my working light we are now coming into my season of limited natural light , home from the nightshift - dark , wake up - dark, coupled to the fact it is nearly always raining up here it is not my favourite time of the year . Our building has no natural light as it has no windows and is kept at a constant 20 degrees all year round with LED (headache) lighting everywhere , even Eeyore would find it depressing, thank goodness i will be in a position to retire in around 14 months.

It never really bothered me previously but now with all that has been going on in the world it seems that the little things can become more of an issue.

Having said that , lovely sky this morning at 06.30.



K

Superb !!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I used to work loopy hours and not see daylight for four months of the year. Thankfully those days have gone. But it is really important to get out into the light whenever it is about. From Vitamin D to sleep cycle, we need it.

What bugs me is bikes without lights in November. In the darkness and damp, these guys "think" that they don't need to be seen and it's a crazy mistake.

On a bike you're alert and swift to respond, for sure, but the drivers and pedestrians aren't in the same place..



W

 

[W1ghty]

Having worked "shifts" for most of my working light we are now coming into my season of limited natural light , home from the nightshift - dark , wake up - dark, coupled to the fact it is nearly always raining up here it is not my favourite time of the year . Our building has no natural light as it has no windows and is kept at a constant 20 degrees all year round with LED (headache) lighting everywhere , even Eeyore would find it depressing, thank goodness i will be in a position to retire in around 14 months.

It never really bothered me previously but now with all that has been going on in the world it seems that the little things can become more of an issue.

Having said that , lovely sky this morning at 06.30.



K

14 months will fly past buddy !

 

[KennyN]

14 months will fly past buddy !

Certainly hope so , 55 in January 2022 so a few months to get my pension sorted and then it is adios to shiftwork / working Christmas / New Year / Weekends / Bank holidays etc.

K

 

[W1ghty]

Certainly hope so , 55 in January 2022 so a few months to get my pension sorted and then it is adios to shiftwork / working Christmas / New Year / Weekends / Bank holidays etc.

K

Exactly the same as my work description, I retired nearly 5 years ago . It’s great being able to sleep normally

 

[KennyN]

Exactly the same as my work description, I retired nearly 5 years ago . It’s great being able to sleep normally

Didn`t mind the shifts when the kids were young as it meant not having to rely to heavily on the grandparents for childcare , when they got a bit older and still at home it was company for the wife when i was on nights etc. but now they are living their own lives (one still at home , other in London) it would be nice to spend some proper time together and not fitting any social life around shiftwork.

Just need to find out the best options for my pension pot . wife thinks a steady income , it think AMG GT and a flat in Spain to get away from the dismal weather and damp.

K

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I’m with you here Paul, I hate autumn with a passion - from the clocks going back to the incessant rain - and once family commitments allow I’ll be buying somewhere abroad to go to between November - February.

 

[clk320x]

I hate the mess that the falling leaves make on the ground/cars.

 

[Big Janner]

I empathise with everyone who struggles at this time of the year. Must be awful to feel low and many suffering with SAD.

Our daughter is one of them. She’s struggled for many years when the nights start drawing in. This year she’s suffering To such an extent that we’re taking her to a specialist councillor weekly. It’s upsetting seeing her so down.

I on the other hand love this time of year. Always have.

i have to say, I find the dark, the cold, the wet, snow . . . . .all very difficult, so depressing
I use the internet and fora to help keep me going, places like this.

Vitamin D3 really helps, about 4000iu a day
Get your daughter to give it a try

 

[MissyD]

The sunshine definitely lifts your mood and so when its dark and the weather's miserable it can bring down our moods.
@Happytalk73 - I not sure if it works but for your daughter have they suggested a thing called a SAD lamp , it's light therapy that's meant to improve mood during this time of year.
@poormansporsche - my son has suffered a similar issue with his height (I know people say for boys it's not as bad!) but it had a negative affect plus his weight was low for his height. He found that people would stare at him because he was much taller than his friends, but now he embraces his height and he has been working on his weight and now works out 3/4 times a week. He has had times when he was in London when he had photos taken because of his likeness to Zlatan Ibrahimović..
@fabes - sorry to hear about your daughters struggle , I know what you mean about not connecting with counsellors.
@Big Janner - I find the forums a great help too, I've said it before but at times its been a real life saver for me.

Remember guys, talking is a great way of letting things out, even if its 'virtual talking' on here. Always here for a chat or I'll be in the 'pub'

 

[ringway]

When I was younger, I liked and appreciated the different things that each season would bring.

Summer.
The beautiful weather and all the daylight hours to get things done and enjoy the evenings.

Autumn.
The golden leaves, frosty mornings, the start of the football season and National Hunt racing - I don't really bet on the flat.

Winter.
Footy, racing and Christmas.

Spring.
The Cheltenham Festival and light at the end of the tunnel. Week 2/3 in March and all is coming together nicely.

These days, some of the above just doesnt seem as important, but the long daylight hours are priceless.



I'm sorry to hear so many are suffering with different things.

Good luck in finding the right help.

 

[ChrisEdu]

I used to work loopy hours and not see daylight for four months of the year. Thankfully those days have gone. But it is really important to get out into the light whenever it is about. From Vitamin D to sleep cycle, we need it.

What bugs me is bikes without lights in November. In the darkness and damp, these guys "think" that they don't need to be seen and it's a crazy mistake.

On a bike you're alert and swift to respond, for sure, but the drivers and pedestrians aren't in the same place..


View attachment 104056
W

Had to laugh at a no light cyclist on the floor, after a collision with a moped rider. No lights = no sympathy.

I also wish pedestrians would wear reflective clothes, or little lights, to make them stand out in the dark.

Oh, and what about cars with faulty headlights!? The police should get them off the road.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

When I was younger, I liked and appreciated the different things that each season would bring.

Summer.
The beautiful weather and all the daylight hours to get things done and enjoy the evenings.

Autumn.
The golden leaves, frosty mornings, the start of the football season and National Hunt racing - I don't really bet on the flat.

Winter.
Footy, racing and Christmas.

Spring.
The Cheltenham Festival and light at the end of the tunnel. Week 2/3 in March and all is coming together nicely.

These days, some of the above just doesnt seem as important, but the long daylight hours are priceless.

Up until this year I had remarkably similar markers too pal;

Summer: family holidays, long sunny days, days out at the races with all my old school friends, international football tournaments...

Autumn: the football season starts, attending the Leger festival with friends and family marks the end of summer.

Winter: taking our children “back yem” to see all of my Geordie family and while up there go and do some Christmas shopping in Fenwicks...

Spring: Load of us go and stay at one of our old school friends now living in Pitville while attending the Gold Cup, feeling the weather start to warm up and seeing trees and flowers start to bud...

Next year my friend...next year!