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The Long Dark Autumn - Surviving the UK's Bank Holiday Drought Until Christmas
Posted by Robin on 11 Sep, 2024 in Funday
Ah, autumn in the UK.
The leaves are turning red and brown, the days are getting shorter, and you’ve packed away the flip-flops and sun cream, only to replace them with scarves and an almost constant feeling of cold. But, as every Brit knows, beyond the changing weather, there’s another more soul-crushing reality. The dreaded bank holiday drought.
From late August, we face a harrowing stretch of four long months with no bank holidays. No long weekends. No cheeky Mondays off. No public holidays to break up the monotony of working life until we’re practically at Christmas. It's like a marathon, but without the hope of a medal – just a mince pie at the finish line.
The leaves are turning red and brown, the days are getting shorter, and you’ve packed away the flip-flops and sun cream, only to replace them with scarves and an almost constant feeling of cold. But, as every Brit knows, beyond the changing weather, there’s another more soul-crushing reality. The dreaded bank holiday drought.
From late August, we face a harrowing stretch of four long months with no bank holidays. No long weekends. No cheeky Mondays off. No public holidays to break up the monotony of working life until we’re practically at Christmas. It's like a marathon, but without the hope of a medal – just a mince pie at the finish line.
The Last Taste of Freedom: The Late August Bank Holiday
For most of us, the August Bank Holiday is a sweet but fleeting taste of freedom. The last gasp of summer. The final opportunity to get out the BBQ. We cling to this final day of liberation like it’s our last breath of fresh air – because it is. Once the August Bank Holiday passes, we’re left staring down the long, dark tunnel that is September, October, November… an abyss with no bank holidays in sight. And all you can think is: “How will I survive this?”
Autumn: A Public Holiday-Free Zone
As autumn settles in, so too does the crushing realisation that the UK is in full-on bank holiday hibernation mode. It's a cruel trick of the calendar, really. Just as we’re facing colder mornings, shorter days, and the inevitable descent into pumpkin spice madness, there’s not a single public holiday to get us through.
The Americans, meanwhile, are busy with their Thanksgiving (complete with turkey and days off), and even our European neighbours get to enjoy their autumn public holidays, blissfully unaware of the British plight. It’s like being left outside in the rain while everyone else is cosy inside by the fire.
The Americans, meanwhile, are busy with their Thanksgiving (complete with turkey and days off), and even our European neighbours get to enjoy their autumn public holidays, blissfully unaware of the British plight. It’s like being left outside in the rain while everyone else is cosy inside by the fire.
Coping Mechanisms: How to Get Through the Bank Holiday Desert
So, how do we get through this bank holiday drought? Here are a few tips for surviving until the Christmas Bank Holidays roll around:
- Plan Fake Bank Holidays: Can't have the real thing? Make your own! Take a random Monday off and treat yourself to all the things you’d normally do on a bank holiday – long walks, brunch with friends, or a good old Netflix binge. Just don’t try to explain it to your boss.
- Start Christmas Prep Early: Okay, we know it’s only October, but Christmas is technically the next holiday on the calendar. Why not lean into the madness and start prepping early? A little tinsel and mulled wine might just help you through the darkest days.
- Look Forward to the Christmas Bank Holidays: Yes, they feel an eternity away, but knowing that Christmas Day and Boxing Day come with the glorious gift of public holidays can help you power through. And don’t forget, New Year’s Day is right around the corner after that!
- Organise a Staycation: Just because there’s no official bank holiday doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to a long weekend. Book a couple of days off and explore the UK – after all, what better way to spend the dark days of autumn than a cosy countryside escape?
Bank Holidays We Wish Existed
Let’s be honest: we could use a few extra bank holidays sprinkled throughout the year. How about a “Mid-Autumn Mental Health Day”? Or a “Survived the Clocks Going Back” holiday? Better yet, why not have a “National Netflix Recovery Day” after a long weekend of bingeing? If anyone deserves more time off, it’s the hardworking people of the UK, right?
The Finish Line: Christmas and the Return of Bank Holidays
At long last, Christmas arrives like a gleaming beacon in the distance. With not one but two bank holidays – Christmas Day and Boxing Day – we finally get to reclaim some of that lost freedom. It’s a glorious time of year, made all the sweeter by the suffering we’ve endured during the autumn bank holiday drought.
So hang in there, fellow Brits. Christmas is coming, and with it, a well-earned rest. In the meantime, put the kettle on, wrap yourself in a blanket, and count down the days until your next glorious public holiday. After all, we’ve only got… (checks calendar) …four months to go.
So hang in there, fellow Brits. Christmas is coming, and with it, a well-earned rest. In the meantime, put the kettle on, wrap yourself in a blanket, and count down the days until your next glorious public holiday. After all, we’ve only got… (checks calendar) …four months to go.