10 Reasons to Love Longer Evenings and Shorter, Colder, Days

the times they are a changing...

That’s that then. It’s Saturday the 26th of October and the sun has just dipped below the horizon. The sky’s a fiery shade of pumpkin and the dwindling light casts a sepia tone to the crisp autumnal air.

It’s a bittersweet moment. With all its beauty, today is the last day for a while that the sun will set after 6 pm. The next time we have an evening that stretches past this point will be 12th of March 2025. Gulp.

(This is a short collection of video clips showing how autumn mornings have been on our narrowboat home recently. The sound is as recorded)

Undoubtedly, the clocks changing brings a degree of apprehension.

No matter how or where you live, a lifestyle shift is about to hit and it’s going to take some acclimatising. For us boat dwellers, you can easily get caught in the doldrums. Off-grid life in the summer is easy, in the winter it’s a list of chores:

• You will spend countless hours sweeping. Muddy towpath means muddy boat… This, combined with a dusty, ashy fire, means you may as well attach the brush to yourself...

• Talking of the fire, it’s about to become a 5th mouth to feed. I love the wood burner, but buying logs and keeping the fire stoked is a job in itself. Come mid-November it will be smouldering away 24/7. This also means loading it up enough to keep going whilst you’re out, heating the boat up from cold takes a long time!

• PUT THAT LIGHT OUT. Our home is fully solar-powered. We’re trying to survive without a generator, so, we have to become very conscious of how much electricity we use. The fridge gets turned off in favour of a cool box on the stern and it’s time to dig the candles out. Plus, no induction hob. The wood burner is now the oven too, combined with a small bioethanol burner.

• Prepare yourself for being worried 90% of the time, especially if you dare leave your home for a night away. There is something about living on a narrowboat that makes you worry. A lot. In the winter, storms, frozen pipes, iced-over canals… The list is endless of things that will make you believe your home is going to sink.

…I guess you get the gist!

Just before I fully dust off the tiny violin that all of us boaters have stowed, ready for days like this… I did mention it’s a bittersweet time. Whilst the above is all true, there too, are beautiful moments. It may be the death of year, but without it we wouldn’t anticipate Spring’s rebirth with such relish.

The sun sets over our little floating cabin

I took a few moments on this morning’s dog walk to scribble down a short list of things I truly love about this shift to darker evenings and embracing the shorter, colder days. It’s a work in progress, but here’s where I’m at…

1. Digging out the chunky knits + Cosy clothes - It’s almost like time travelling. Taking out the trunk under our bed packed with the ‘winter gear’. Falling back in love with precious sweaters that will be a loyal companion all winter long. Even Tilly has her own woolly jumper collection.

2. Settling down in front of the fire - Romantic and cosy. There is such a charm about watching the flames lick inside the wood burning stove - especially whilst enjoying a glass of red.

3. Soul food - Why are nourishing bowls of strew so heartwarming? It’s like a hug in the bowl… And don’t get me started on the simple joy of a spud in tin foil armour baking away inside the log burner

4. The spectacle - Autumn leaves are magnificent. Auburns and scarlets line the towpaths. Equally, as the natural world starts to decay and look lifeless… There’s a joy in noticing the gentle changes. Before you know it, hope filled fresh buds will appear.

5. Sunrise - I like to imagine myself as an early riser… But, 4am sunrises in the summer are too much. Shorter days means longer in bed and still having the chance to see the sun come up. Frosty mornings are spectacular for this.

6. Sunset - Autumn and winter are home to the most spectacular sunsets. They just seem to illuminate parts of the world you’ve not paid attention to before with such a golden glow.

7. Slower days - We should follow nature’s guidance a little more. Darker evenings, being tucked up at home is the perfect excuse for early nights and gentler days. The hustle of summer is done, now time to recharge.

8. Hot chocolate & Chai - Not sure this needs any explanation… Although, I would appreciate your recommended hot chocolate additions… Sea salt? Chilli? Absolutely no to marshmallows.

9. Mushroom season - If you’re into foraging, this time of year is a treasure trove. From chanterelles to truffles… I’d recommend you to find a winter foraging course and enjoy.

10. The cold - It might sound weird, but aren’t cold days amazing? Especially when the sun also shines. The sharp air that makes you feel alive, frost and ice make masterpieces of everyday life. Suddenly a glistening spider’s web will stop you in your tracks with its pure beauty. It’s magnificent. as long you have a warming brew close to hand.

This is the list so far… But, I’d really like to know what you love about this time of year… The more specific the better!

Please do let me know in the comments and thank you for reading.

Yours,

Gabby x

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