Hibernation has begun

That’s because residents in Dumfries and Galloway are now officially in ‘hibernation’, according to a new study.
Sunday October 25, the day the clocks went back, has been named as the day that Brits went into hibernation mode.
And they will stay that way until early March.
Research commissioned by the Dunelm store in Glasgow Road, Dumfries found that 20 per cent of people in Scotland battened down the hatches for the winter last week.
Their preparations included stocking up on new winter socks, slippers and woolly jumpers.
And 38 percent said they start preparing for winter by doing a ‘winter food shop’, including stocking up on wine and beer to get through the winter months. The top winter dish is soup, followed by hot pot, roasts, chicken casseroles and pies.
Having more nights in is also a key sign we have gone into hibernation mode, according to the study.
The survey of almost 2000 people revealed the average Scotland adult only ventures out socially once a week in the winter months.
But it’s not all doom and gloom: 18 per cent enjoy autumn because it signifies Christmas is not far away;
11 percent love “warming” foods; while 11 per cent are fans of walks in the crisp winter air; and ten per cent like winter – as long as there is snow.
Maria Tamburrini, head of marketing at Dunelm, said: “The cold weather and winter blues can make this season tough but there are many positives as we start to rediscover the great indoors, with cosy nights in and delicious comfort food.
“It’s natural instinct to ‘hibernate’ in the winter months, which is why we expect to see an increase in demand for seasonal essentials around this time of the year, including blankets, hot water bottles and higher tog duvets.
“As a nation, we love nothing more than shutting ourselves off from the elements and enjoying the warmth of our own homes.”