Sunday 22 January 2017

Grey And Dismal

I'm always happy to get out and about when the sun's shining, not so much so on dreary days like we've been having just lately. I decided that I just had to bite the bullet and make an effort, especially as Archie was starting to feel badly done to as he hasn't been having many interesting walks, so we spent a little time at Temple Newsam yesterday.


I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way as there weren't many people about, I think they must have been hunkering down at home rather than taking a stroll around the grounds.


I think the weather affects my moods to some extent. I don't have full blown seasonal affective disorder (SAD) but I'm certainly much happier in the summer months. I could happily hibernate during winter and only resurface in the spring. I hate cold weather too.


Getting out does improve my mood though, I'm always glad when I've made the effort. I think having a dog gives me the motivation sometimes, I know how much he enjoys a good walk so it makes me get out there, I don't think I'd bother so much if he wasn't here.


There wasn't much colour about at all, so different to how this place looks in summer. It was a still day too, there wasn't any movement on the lake apart from when the ducks were swimming by.


The willow trees looked rather sad without their leaves, they're absolute beauties in summer. It's nice that there's so many evergreens planted though, at least there's still plenty of greenery around.


Archie came home happy and contented after his walk and I felt much better too.

51 comments:

  1. I agree. Even grey days are improved by getting outside, but I'd much prefer freezing cold and bright! Roll on summer 😃

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    1. It's definitely worth making the effort to get outside, even if it's just for a short walk. I do wish the sun would shine a little more often.

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  2. It's certainly miserable weather. I don't consider it to have got light today. It's disappointing as earlier in the week the forecast was better.

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    1. It's been very dark all day here too. I've learnt not to rely on the weather forecast, it seems to change hour by hour, and not very often for the better.

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  3. When it's dreary so am I. I like sunshine even if it's cold.

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    1. I'm the same. A little bit of sunshine can do wonders for my mood.

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  4. Glad to hear you took some time to get out and about and do something for you. I hope that it cheered you a little. Or a lot! I know what you mean about grey days, I don't think I have full on SAD either, but I certainly notice the difference between summer and winter. As I write it is just coming up to 3pm and still bright and sunny, so let us hope it is the sign of brighter times ahead!

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    1. It does improve my mood when I've made the effort to get out. How lovely that you've had a sunny day, they're very few and far between here at the moment.

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  5. It's been sunny here for a few days but cold and frosty. I think that most people feel as you do at this time of year, I certainly do. Good pictures. Flighty xx

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    1. I can put up with the cold, even though I hate it, if it's sunny. I'm really looking forward to the next sunny day we have, I've had enough of the dreariness now.

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  6. We are being lazy this weekend, it's much warmer inside and we watch all the birds in our garden.

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    1. I don't blame you, I like to hunker down indoors when the weather isn't favourable though it does do me good to get outdoors really.

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  7. I'm glad you felt better for your walk. I walked into town to get new key cut but stupidly forgot to take the key with me! But I got a walk, and it was sunny too. Hope you get some sunshine soon.

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    1. I often do things like that. Never mind, at least you had a nice walk and it was sunny, that's a bonus.

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  8. Its amazing what a little sunshine does for the mood, but I must admit to feeling so much better if I make the effort to take a walk.

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    1. It is, and as you say, a walk does you wonders too, definitely worth the effort to get out there.

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  9. We've spent the weekend with a nice roaring fire catching up on TV programmes and staying home, I even baked a nice Victoria sandwich to spoil us even more.
    Here's hoping for some nice bright winter sunshine next week. Have a good week.

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    1. That sounds like a lovely way to spend the weekend, a roaring fire and cake, what could be better? No sunshine today, here's hoping that the rest of the week is better.

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  10. I am grumpy all year round :-) (just joking). I am lucky because I am not particularly affected by the darker months. I do prefer sunny days over grey ones on the whole because everything looks prettier on a light day. I love how the days get longer now and how nature wakes up. I have a front garden full of yellow croci, am much appreciated splash of colour. I love going for walks with the dog, he is so appreciative of the freedom and I get some valuable me time. I am glad you enjoyed your walk, too. x

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    1. I dread summer coming to an end, the winter just seems relentless and I'm always waiting for the first signs of spring to appear. I'm heartened that the days have started getting longer again, it's still dark on a morning but there's a little extra light at the end of each day now. I do have to make an effort to go on dog walks when the days are like today but I'm always glad once I'm out there.

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  11. We've had brilliant sunshine but freezing temperatures which I don't mind. The sun reminds me what is ahead....spring and summer. I hate grey days like you I suffer with SAD.

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    1. I'm not a fan of the cold but I can put up with it if the days are bright. I definitely think I've got a touch of SAD, I'm so looking forward to spring rolling round.

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  12. I hate winter. This year we've been away in an effort to escape it. The trouble is, that just makes it ten times as bad when you have to return!

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    1. How lovely to get away to the sun during the winter months, it may be worse when you have to return but at least you don't have to endure it for so long. I hope you had a lovely time while you were away.

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  13. Lovely to take a walk with Archie at Temple Newsam,(nearly crying now), but I do think it has beauty whatever the season. I love seeing some trees with no leaves as the branches have such interesting form when naked, then as the leaf buds unfurl, they are so much greener than in mid summer when sometimes they look a bit wilted. Although I don't have full SAD, I too feel grey days can give "grey mood swings". I do like the cooler weather more than the hot though (35 here today). OK,if we didn't have different seasons, that would be boring & I couldn't live in the tropics with continual heat & humidity, so try and enjoy what I have & when I complain, I then tick myself off & go about being busy. Have a good week & take care. Sorry, that was a bit long winded.

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    1. There's definitely beauty there but it's sometimes hard to see past the dreariness on days like today. It's the same again today as it was yesterday, in fact worse as we've had a hard frost overnight. I was glad to take Archie on his walk though this morning, it definitely lifts my mood a little. I wouldn't like such hot weather continually but a few more brighter days wouldn't go amiss.

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  14. I'm with you re wanting to hibernate during winter.I have to force myself to walk the dogs and do it as quickly as possible. Spring seems to be coming early judging by all the bulbs shooting up.xxx

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    1. I'm glad I'm not alone. It's a real struggle sometimes to get the enthusiasm for a dog walk but I'm always glad once I'm out there. I do hope you're right and that spring arrives early, that would cheer me up no end.

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  15. I definitely feel gloomy during the winter months, everything seems just impossible. I wish I had such beautiful scenery to motivate me to walk!:)

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    1. I suppose that's something I should be grateful for, we have some beautiful walks to take around where I live, it does perk me up once I'm out there.

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  16. We had damp and dismal weather here today. Like you, I need some sunshine! Maybe tomorrow?? :o)

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    1. No such luck here, it's the same again today except we've got a frost now too. A little sunshine wouldn't go amiss.

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  17. Right now our weather is so much like yours, Jo. I wrote a similar posting and mentioned you and your walk at Temple Newsome. P. x

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    1. We do seem to follow the same weather patterns, it's amazing really seeing as we're so many miles apart. I shall pop over and read your post shortly.

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    2. I was looking back at my first postings for this blog and see you left a comment there in January, 2010. You said you liked my blog's new look, so you must have followed the blog I wrote previously -- one that is long gone from the bogasphere. So we have been blog friends for a long time, Jo. Seven years at the very least. Here's to the next seven years ... P.x

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    3. I know we've followed each other for many years. Of course, I didn't have this blog back in 2010, it was through the other blog that I wrote back then that we met. As you say, here's to the next seven years.

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  18. It is so worthwhile making that effort ... then you can also share you photo's with us fellow bloggers, thank you.

    I always think the months of January and February are not always easy ... with many grey days. Roll on Spring.

    All the best Jan

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    1. I suppose these kind of photos are always good for a blog post if nothing else. January and February are my worst months, they usually seem endless too though I have to say that January is going much faster this year for some reason, I'm not complaining about that.

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  19. The photos are still lovely, I love to get to the coast to blow away the winter cobwebs, always make me feel better.

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    1. Funnily enough, Mick suggested a run out to the coast on Saturday but my heart just wasn't in it but I agree, a walk along the prom really does blow the cobwebs away.

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  20. This dismal weather makes me want to sleep all the time! Thomas - my cat - is actually sleeping for around 22 hours a day and I could join him!! Jx

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    1. I must admit that I'm rather tired at the moment too. Archie could sleep the clock round whether it's winter or summer, he's such a lazy dog.

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  21. I went out for the first time in a while today, I know it's harder this time of year, but I think you're right that you do feel better for it. Glad you and Archie had a good walk xx

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    1. I definitely feel better for getting out, though it's hard to make the effort at this time of year, especially on dreary days. I hope you enjoyed your time out of the house.

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  22. I'm with you. The winter is getting me down especially as it seems to be mostly grey and dull and nothing is growing. We went out yesterday and took a walk. It was quite beautiful as we got to see one lighthouse in the fog and a beach covered with ice. Really glad we are forcing ourselves to get out and about!

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    1. It is a case of forcing ourselves to get out sometimes but as you say, it's worth it. I'm so looking forward to spring arriving, there's small signs that it's on its way, though I think it's a way off yet, unfortunately.

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  23. It is hard to get out as much in the freezing cold weather. It's such an effort to put on all the layers needed to keep warm. Glad you enjoyed your walk with Archie. The photos are fantastic. I love those trees on the hill. So beautiful. Keep upbeat, it will soon be spring xxx

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    1. It probably is the effort needed which puts me off getting out and about so much in the winter months, a bit lazy really, especially as I feel so much better when I do. My eyes are always drawn to those trees on the hill, there's such a wide expanse of grass and those trees just stand out.

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  24. I always feel so much better in the Summer too so I feel similarly as you! It's good that your dog gets you out walking as it is so hard in this cold weather! I walk to the station to work (and from the other end) but I need to do more pleasure walking, not the frantic scarper in the mornings and the weary trudge at night!!

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    1. Archie does motivate me to get out, I think without him I'd end up hunkering down and I'd go out much less. I actually enjoy it once I'm out there, it's just making the effort that's the problem.

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