Monday 13 July 2015

Roll on October.....

Yes, some blogging subjects get done and done over and over again; there are some that make me go 'oh no not this again' every time I see them*.  I was just starting to write this when I realised that the anti-summer moan is probably a bit overdone now, too.  I am sure there are many who think, "I love summer, and I don't want to see another blog post moaning about flies and not being able to sleep at night."


Fair enough.  So I'll just stick my bit in quietly and hope it will only be read by those who agree with me!



The reasons I don't like summer

  • I've just been down south for a few days, from the frozen north east where I have lived for the past 6 years.  It's always hotter down there, and we were supposed to be in the midst of a heatwave last week, were we not?  On the first evening, out with friends, I wore some of those loose patterned culotte type things that look like an above-the-knee skirt, a loose-ish top and a short sleeved shrug.  From about 7 pm onwards, I was bloody freezing.  This is my moan: you never know where you are with the weather.  If you're going out in the winter you stick on a long sleeved, not too thick top (because pubs and restaurants always have the heating on too high), a coat, and you're good to go.  In the summer, you never know how hot or cold it's going to be.  I always get it wrong.
  • Those bloody late nights and early mornings.  Who really needs daylight at 10 pm?  However many sleep masks I wear, I still wake up at 5am most days.
  • I can no longer wear fake tan because my husband keeps moaning about it; he says it makes the bedclothes smell horrible.  I won't sunbathe because it's a waste of time, boring, gives you skin cancer and makes you look old.  I won't use sunbeds because ditto, plus the cost.  So in summer I have to either display unsightly white limbs, or be too hot in my clothes.  Unless it's one of the cold days (see first paragraph).  This problem does not arise in the winter.  I still wince at my unsightly white limbs, but at least no-one else has to see them.  Apart from my husband, whose choice it is that they are thus.  So there.  (note from 2017: okay, I gave in.  I now have a few sunbed sessions in the summer)
  • I am writing a novel, which means I need to be inside the house at my desk; I can't write in the garden (see last paragraph).  I do not want to look out of the window and feel guilty about not making the most of the weather.
  • It's harder to cover your fat bits in summer clothes than in winter ones. Unless you're young and gorgeous, winter clothes are generally more flattering.
  • I have very long, thick hair.  Heat makes my head sweat, which in turn makes my carefully straightened and smoothed hair look like an explosion in a mattress factory.  At the very least, it makes my fringe look silly.
  • I no longer live by the sea.  I quite liked summer when I did.  Apart from the fact that I was usually at work, of course.  If I could spend summer in an idyllic sea front cottage and have nothing to do but wander aimlessly along shores and country lanes, I may like it more.
  • Talking of gardens, I have to think about getting people to cut ours, something I can forget about between October and April.  Currently, the back garden is playing host to a little known jungle tribe.  Or it might be; it's so overgrown I can't tell. (Note: July 2016 ~ I have now had the whole thing gravelled.  Back and front.  Best move ever!)

Right, I think that's about it!  Feel free to add your whinges.  Or tell me I'm a moany old git and you never want to see another post complaining about summer.  For those who agree with me, please remember this:  July is much better than June.  The nights are beginning to draw in, slowly, slowly and it's another month nearer to autumn! 






*mindfulness



48 comments:

  1. Terry, I have to tell you about my fake tan discovery... it's not cheap at £14 (but is often on offer in boots, you know, 2for1, or buy one get one half price, I'm lucky, the kids stock up my boots vouchers every Christmas :) )

    Anyway, it really is fabulous... 'St Tropez, In shower, gradual tan', you wash as usual, then apply the tan to wet skin, wait 3 minutes, rinse off with water... it takes 2-3 days to reach optimum colour (for me anyway) - leaves no yukky smell, no stickiness, absolutely no streaks, no nasty orangeness, and no marks on clothes or sheets... It's amazing :)

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    1. Kimmie, THANK YOU! I will take a look in Boots when I go shopping this week - sounds just what I need! xxx

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    2. You're welcome, I hope it works as well for you as it has for me. One more thing... don't be tempted to leave it too much over the suggested 3min each time, there's no need to, and it will taint result. I either take an egg timer into the shower with me, or count seconds (near as damn it) in my head. :)

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    3. Thank you very much indeed - that's the sort of info you need!

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    4. I was just about to tell Terry about this stuff! It's new, and it's brill. Slather on, leave for 3 mins (I keep kitchen timer in the bathroom - hey, who cooks?) and everyone keeps mentioning my golden glow. Doesn't smell, apart from a bit nice!

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    5. Sold!!!! Will purchase some today :)

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    6. I was about to recommend it as well! I also like the Rimmel one hour tanning mousse, it's suprisingly nice, you put it on for an hour, then rinse it off and bob's your uncle! The St. Tropez is also delightfully easy too though :-)

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    7. Alas, last year I tried this one and various others that claim to be odour free, and they're not. It was only when I stopped using any fake tan that I was able to detect the smell (by buying a product with some in, acccidentally), and could see what my husband means - it does indeed smell like old biscuits. But of course not everyone has such a strong sense of smell or these things would never sell!!!! I asked my sister in law's husband and he said he'd never notice. Just my bad luck, alas....!

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  2. Hi Terry, you know full well I'm with you on this one and wish I'd seen Kimmie's comment yesterday. I am currently at work looking like I have dunked my arms and legs in a cup of strong builder's tea. Yep - yet another fake tan disaster. Plus it's all over my hands and won't come off. I look ridiculous and I blame summer 100% :D

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    1. Um..... latex gloves, £1 for 30 from Home Bargains. I loved the stuff I use, but it's BANNED! Oh - Palmers cocoa butter one, about £3.65 from Home Bargains, it works really well and doesn't go patchy!

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  3. Rebrand your back garden as a meadow and enjoy those jolly dandelions!
    And hope you're happy today because it's raining.

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    1. Anne, that's a lovely thought! And yes - I've even put socks on!!!

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  4. Given it's winter here in Sydney, I'm afraid I'm in complete opposition! That said, I must agree that winter clothes cover more flab. Always.

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    1. I do wonder if I was a lithe and toned size 10 if I might like summer more, Lisa! :)

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  5. No you wouldn't. I am and I don't (size 10, not lithe). And I agree....it's much nicer when it gets cooler....mainly coz too many people sit in their gardens late into the night having FUN...when I am trying to sleep, so I have to close the windows. In Autumn, nobody is around after 6pm. Bliss

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    1. Oh yes, the other night I was sitting on the back porch having a cigarette and a little read - accompanied by ghastly pop music and childish laughter from a few gardens down. Barbecues, grrrrr!

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    2. It's the mornings that do for me; too light, too early!

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  6. Enjoyed this. Just downright fun. My daughters call my legs "Mighty Whites" in summer. I'll have to try the St. Tropez that Kimmie told you about.

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    1. Ha ha! Yeah,even when I used to sunbathe and go on sunbeds, my legs would hardly turn - fake tan is the only answer!

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  7. Lol, I'm not a summer lover either! I tend to suffer from Summer SAD, which makes people go "What?" when I explain, as they've only heard of SAD in the winter! The heat just makes me depressed and irritable beyond belief! Oh, and the garden...mine matches yours, and the strimmer breaks everytime we try and use it...

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    1. Lisa, Lisa, shake my hand! I know, I always feel really pissed off (yep, depressed and irritable) throughout July - August is better because at least you get the first feeling of autumn in the air...!

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  8. Terry, I'm with you on just about all of this. I used to love summer, but right now, it's so sticky and hot, and I'm just not loving it. For the first time ever, I'm wishing I lived someplace colder.

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    1. Yes - it's never nice hot these days, is it? Just that stickiness, humid and draining. Not nice pleasant days with blue sky and a gentle breeze!

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  9. Terry - can we agree to differ? I love summer - the hot days, the long evenings ... it's winters that make me grumpy.

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  10. I have to agree with all your reasons here, TT, but even so, I love summer and loathe the winter...please could we have something in the middle? But then that would mean moving back to SA where I loved, loved, loved the winter! Sorry....I'm just in the wrong place.

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    1. Alas, Vallypee, if we are not in the SA of African Ways, we are all in the wrong place!

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  11. I've been using the St. Tropez Gradual Shower Tan since I threw away my crutches 4 weeks ago, and it's wonderful. Slather on, leave for 3 mins (I keep kitchen timer in the bathroom - hey, who cooks?) and everyone keeps mentioning my golden glow. Doesn't smell, apart from a bit nice!

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    1. Just remembered, Cassie wot does me eyebrows was telling me about this stuff, saying it was brill - I thought she was just doing a sales job on me because they're going to stock it!!!

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  12. Hi Terry,
    Love this post and I'm in total agreement! I love winter for many of the reasons you listed above. Had skin cancer (so far) four times, so this is torture for me. Rainy days are my favorite days because I don't feel guilty sitting at my laptop writing.

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    1. Kimberly, that's exactly it, isn't it? When it's dull and rainy we don't think we 'ought' to be outside making the most of the weather!

      How awful re the SC - I don't know what to say. Wishing you the best for good health in the future - and keep eating all those anti carcinogenic foods xx

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  13. Insects! Insects! No mention of insects? Wasps, making a bee-line for your drinks or face. Flies, out to flavour your alfresco food. Moths - huge moths - drawn in through your open windows to the slightest flicker of light in your home.
    Ah the fake tan... I have always craved golden brown skin. My late husband was from Madrid and always tried to convince me that he loved my (Ugly) white porcelain skin. He would speak of the Spanish peasants who toiled the fields and whose skin was so dark. The upper classes were pale skinned - even now - outdoor events charge higher prices for shaded seating areas. Coco Chanel has much to answer for now for making the suntan fashionable.
    However my biggest hatred of British summer is from the onset - any mention of a thunderstorm fills me with impending doom. British heat-waves are always followed by thunder and lightning and this year, have been - for some - spectacular - for me - terrifying.
    Thanks, Terry, I feel better after that rant :)) x
    @SundaysSparrow

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    1. Thanks, Ms Sparrow!!! I love thunderstorms... and yes, I do know what you mean re the tan-fashion thing. But somehow tanned skin just DOES look better, it really does..! :)

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    2. ps, oh, and I don't go outside much in the summer, certainly not to eat, so insects are not a problem!!!!

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  14. Squinting in the sunshine gives me headaches. Wearing sunglasses gives me headaches. The sun makes me sneeze. I don't like exposing skin. bring back jumpers and dark evenings and hot chocolate.

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    1. Another lady after my own heart - take comfort that every day the days are getting shorter! I always think 'yippee' the day after midsummer's day :)

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  15. I used to love the summer! Now I'm three stone heavier and developed hay fever!!! I have fat, white limbs and a bright red hooter from constant blowing. AAAACHOO!! Great post, Terry ;-)

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    1. Yes, I think anyone over a size 12 ought to be able to bypass the whole season and go straight to autumn! :)

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  16. I'm living in a seaside town and summer is such a crowded season. I love longer nights and am a big fan (very superficial) of winter clothes as they're so much nicer to buy. I love spring and autumn, but keep wishing I could skip the summer. I like going to the dunes and there are smelly plants in the summer, so I also can't seek any refuge there when the beaches are overcrowded. I'm generally a happy person, so I'm usually not too bothered by it all, but it's nice to know I'm not the only one who doesn't like the summer very much.

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    1. That's nice - yes I am generally a happy person who is not too bothered about it too! Not long til autumn, Suze xx

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  17. Well, I've read all of the above so ... living near the sea in Wales in summer and shopping in our local co-op means, people shop in swim suits, the men in trunks, despite flabby bellies and thighs (at least!) , bare feet (despite health and safety and the odd pile of ubiquitous dog poo on the pavements outside), sunglasses,so they need to ask where to find things. And wearing a look of obvious disdain because our local store isn't the size of the multi stores they're used to. Apart from that ... summer means insects. Now I have allergies to most insect bites. Which means that at the moment I look like the Elephant Man - having done a book -signing at a local forties 'bit of a do' where they put me inn a marquee near an ant hill. The ants marched up my leg and around my flabby waist. So, not only do I have a'muffin top' which is more like a 'cottage loaf' top, it's also covered in red swollen bites.. Besides which it's hot, humid and raining here. And a ll I know is I have the opposite to you, Terry. My hair is short and fine ... and stuck to my head like an old-fashioned swimming cap. I feel so attractive! Roll on Autumn

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    1. Judith, that made me laugh and laugh!!!!! :)

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  18. Sorry, Terry but...Nope. No way. No how. Maybe it was growing up in California, but I LOVE those long hot days, endlessly light evenings, early mornings. It's the light out only from 9:30AM-3:30PM gloomy, rainy, cloudy Scotland winters that do me in. I'd make a lousy vampire. (I almost said suck at being a vampire, but I caught myself. You're welcome.)

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    1. Yep, it must have been growing up in California, after which everything
      else must seem like autumn, anyway!!! Gimme those Scottish winters. And you should have made the vampire joke!!!

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  19. Blessed are the northern hemisphere countries, for their people don't get vitamin D deficiencies from avoiding the sun (42°C heatwaves. 48°C in cities too far inland to get the sea breeze). We're waiting anxiously for the monsoon rains right now.

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    1. That heat - I don't know how you can stand it....

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  20. I wrote a similar post last summer, but this summer up in the north of Scotland I'm feeling a tiny bit remorseful as it's been an almost total washout this year.We go to Florida every November for two weeks and it's usually mid twenties and it's about enough for me for the year ;-)

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    1. Yes, I've hardly been out without my raincoat this year, Steff! Even I wouldn't mind the odd sunny day ...!

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