I can’t even remember the last good stretch of sunny days. It’s been a while.
My best guess is that this “grey period” started mid-summer. Can’t recall; but it seems a (long) while since I’ve seen nearly a full week of quality rays.
Recently, I’ve had to lower my standards with regards to what counts as a sunny day. Direct sunlight radiating through my windows that lasts approximately 3-4 hours, even interrupted, qualifies. Back in Toronto, I would indubitably count that day as cloudy.
Also, clear skies? A concept I’ve all but forgotten.
The pictures below depict “clear enough.”
Today counts as sunny. We had around 3 hours of wishy-washy rays earlier. Some wind arrived around 10 minutes ago. Back to overcast.
(Seagulls reveling in their 10 minutes of sunlight around 20 min ago).
These lowered expectations were not a part of me when we first arrived in Bournemouth. Our first year here we were spoiled with sun (again, for the UK – no, not even that year could compete with Toronto). Still, it was enough for me to drop my belief in the stereotype that the UK was miserably grey. I was led to believe we were living in an exception to the rule. And we were…
Well, we still are. I’m sure that the rest of the UK is substantially more cloudy than what I’m complaining about here in the South. But it’s been grey. Really has. And even if this is abnormally cloudy weather for Bournemouth, it’s still happened and there are still repercussions.
I may be able to find motivation to photograph outside if it’s cloudy – overcast weather is fine for outdoor photography. But indoors? I just can’t.
I also used to find the grey weather motivating when I first arrived in Bournemouth. It made me work, stop procrastinating by enjoying the weather; productive. Now, I’ve overdosed on clouds and the situation’s reversed. The grey has made me “blah” until the sun finally shines, which is unfortunate as even with a lack of motivation – the work must go on.
So what can I do? Besides thank heavens I actually have enormous windows (no SAD even without much direct sunlight – score!) I guess, plan on moving to a house with a sun room? Or a green house? Then abandon the house and live in that single sunny room.
In case you’re wondering why I wouldn’t hop on a flight back to Toronto, understand – I’m only complaining because I’m safe here, away from the biting chills of the Canadian winter. I’d rather have my motivation and my photography die a miserable death than have my sanity taken away attempting to function as a human being in sub -10 and -20 degree (Celsius) weather.
If only I could combine the best of both worlds.
Tanja/The Red Phone Box travels
go for a short trip somewhere sunnier:)
Elise Xavier
Just re-found this comment and realized I didn’t reply –
Now that we’re in Portugal I guess we’ll be vacationing in places that are less sunny! Pretty funny how drastic the difference is; and boy do rainy days remind me of the UK now! Makes me smile and appreciate the sun all the more.