Turn Back

By forest_for_ever

Sat, 26 Oct 2024
  • 135 reads
2 comments
 

Turn Back

‘If only I could turn the clocks back…’ is a phrase many have uttered at some point in their lives.  I know I have.  Regret over a poor decision or perhaps a golden moment that we’d love to live again?  Perhaps that moment of realisation when we realise how different things might had been if we’d ‘zigged instead of zagging’ and the chance to retrace is gone.

I remember back in the early 70s when the UK experimented with leaving the clocks as they were.  It caused a tremendous amount of controversy, not least of which was the prospect of going to school in the dark.  We British do love a good moan and sure enough the experiment was abandoned.

I still spend several days in the Autumn after the time adjustment autocorrecting and thinking ‘its really later than that…until I forget and adjust naturally.  When I was in charge of crews and rostering I came to dread dealing with the ‘BST & GMT’ muddle.  Now I just drift along in retirement and let time wash over me until it’s no longer a thought.

I look back with amusement now at the relief of the extra hour when I was off and the resentment of the ‘time thief’ when the reverse happened.  Would I turn back now?  No, I’ve come to be at peace with the clock.  Like the tide that comes in and out it will do so despite anything I do.

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Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Interesting mullings, Graham. I do remember having to cross campus in the dark to an early lecture, and feeling very odd! I think it must be confusing for parents of young children deciding where they are when the clocks are changed, but the young ones wake up at the usual time! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

The spring ahead and fall back controversy, changing the clocks, is an ongoing argument. I too love the fall back, when I'd get an extra hour of sleep and hated the spring ahead when I suddenly lost a precious hour. Not sure if it will matter as much when I retire, and not sure I'll get to know what that feels like...but I suppose, I will sleep in even if the clock tells me I've overlsept an hout later than yesterday. smiley

Penny4athought