The end of British Summer Time, back to Greenwich Mean Time.
We lived in Orpington, whilst Bob was a student, and less than three miles from our house was Willett's Wood, named for William Willett a local resident. Just after the start of the twentieth century, he was out riding one morning, and noticed how many houses still had closed curtains.
Every year people argue about the wisdom of this action - some say it is helpful, others say it is pointless! Willet's Memorial is a sundial in the wood - set to show BST "I only tell summer hours" says the inscription.
It takes me a while to adjust each time the clocks go back/forward, less crucial now I am retired. I feel sorry for those are really affected by the change.
But I am grateful for a warm home, and a comfortable bed. In my youth I'd often stay up late, because I had an extra hour, and did not want to waste it - This year I plan to use that hour for extra sleep!
It takes ages to adjust all the clocks in the house on the Sunday morning! We had a brief power cut a few weeks back, my cooker clock is still wrong!
It was always the clock in the car that was the last to be reset.
ReplyDeleteGet a Skoda - just one button to press and it does it automatically
DeleteWhen I lived in a block of flats I had a neighbour who spent the entire day resetting all six clocks in her flat. As I use my phone and kindle to check the time I don't need to change anything.
ReplyDeleteI use my watch 99% of the time, but the big clock in the middle of my home is so useful (esp for nocturnal bathroom trips)
DeleteThank you for the reminder, I'd actually not realised it was this weekend - too busy with packing boxes and legal paperwork!
ReplyDeleteHope all is going well there
DeleteI don’t really mind either way, though I do relish the sudden extra hour of daylight in the evening when we move to BST. I think now though we could let it go and remain on GMT all year round. Modern life isn’t as dependent on natural light. I remember an experiment with this when I was a child and we were all issued with armbands because we would be walking to school in the dark. But how many children ‘walk’ to school nowadays?
ReplyDeleteAnna.
I remember that too. My grandsons walk to school on Manchester. Granddaughters in London cycle.
DeleteEnjoy your extra hour of sleep. We have another week; our daylight savings time ends on the first Sunday in November.
ReplyDeleteIs it the same day across the whole nation? The USA is so big. What about Alaska and Hawaii?
DeleteThe US has different time zones, each one an hour off from the next. (They tried to establish them so that population centers wouldn't be divided.) So on time change night each zone adjusts itself at 1 am, either back or ahead, depending on spring or autumn. It's not as complicated as it sounds, except for the state of Arizona which never changes, just keeps to standard time.
DeleteYes, it is the same day across the whole USA, but, two states, Hawaii and most of Arizona, do not have daylight savings time and stay on standard time all year long.
DeleteThank you, Anne and Bless. Between you, you have answered all my questions!
DeleteWasn't there a period of double summertime during WW2?
ReplyDeleteThat must have been harder to adjust to, like having jet lag?
I think you are right. I'm too young for that. I remember grandparents discussing the problems of The Blackout!!
DeleteI agree about feeling a bit discombobulated by the clocks changing but I am definitely having an extra hour’s sleep. We are awaiting the wind today and my ladies’ lunch has been postponed due to the amber warning. More time for crafting as production really needs to start for Christmas. Catriona
ReplyDeleteKeep safe. We are having a catch up with jobs day. Two Halloween costumes to alter for young friends (personally I loathe Halloween stuff, but in the spirit of good neighbourliness I will get out my sewing machine..,)
DeleteOur clocks fall back here in Southern Ontario the following week. A lot of people are advocating for not changing the clocks, as it's a pain in the butt....LOL I am one of them!
ReplyDeleteI do wonder if it is still necessary...
DeleteI’m not fond of the twice yearly clock change but in a couple of days I’ll have forgotten about it.
ReplyDeleteDon’t like Halloween either but nobody bangs on doors this far out in the countryside…….feeling like the Grinch today 🤭😂
Alison in Devon x
We are usually OK, because mist of our neighbours are older pensioners who don't open the door at night
DeleteMy system always seems to go a bit haywire when the clocks change. Not too many clocks to change here, but have to take care of the Regency carriage clock inherited from Dad, you can't turn the hands back, have to wind it on using a teeny tiny key. Currently pouring down here, but hopefully better tomorrow as I'm going to help sort Natalie's garden. Xx
ReplyDeleteThrowing it down right now. My washing had about an hour outside this morning before I fetched it in again ☔
DeleteWe have a lot of brief power cuts - cue right now as I write this - for just long enough to mean that we have to reset all the clocks!!
ReplyDeleteWe use the extra hour to have a mug of tea in bed before walking the dog in true daylight.
Still watching news of riots in France, on the BBC - hoping it gets calmer soon.
ReplyDelete