I took this picture of Darwen’s Christmas decorations yesterday, less than an hour after sunset. The town hall clock stopped some time ago, so if you can make out the dial, that’s a misdirection: sunset is just before 4 o’clock here in Northern England by the end of November.
Light rain almost deterred me from going for a walk, but added interest by reflecting the lights. I also took a landscape shot that shows more of the area.
Despite the bright lights and Christmas cheer, the scene is a little forlorn. Normally, this part of Darwen would be lively with people shopping, making their way home, or nipping out for a drink with friends. Although my iPhone has no doubt exaggerated the darkness, and the drizzle will have kept some people inside, it was eerie to see the town so dark and quiet so early in the day.
Shared for Lens-Artists challenge: You Pick It! which asks us to share something near and dear.
Susan Rushton 
Yes, it was only the other day that I really clocked how early it gets dark. That’s because, out walking, I was able to watch the whole of a rather nice sunset – properly over by 4.00. Despite everything, Darwen is giving a good account of itself, if your photos are anything o go by.
The early nights are good for sunsets, I agree, but they’re bad for early evening walks.
Never mind. The shortest day comes soon – then it’s onwards and upwards.
I see what you mean about forlorn Susan – such a beautiful place should not be empty of happy visitors. Hoping to see people enjoying the season again soon, although here in the states it may have to be 2021.
I hope so too. It was a surprise and almost a relief to see the tree, even without the people, as it appeared in the middle of a strict lockdown.
PS. I did love your images, especially the reflection of the lights. Good choice going out in the drizzle
Thanks, Tina. The drizzle worked a little magic.
Great images and well done you for venturing out. Sunset here is around 16:45 and dark by 17:15 – and I mean DARK!
It’s perfectly acceptable at 19.30, but 16.30 is something else!
Beautiful.
I was lucky that the rain doubled everything.
Great shots, I like the light reflections in the first one 🙂
Two trees for the price of one. 🙂
Yes, pur towns and cities won’t be themselves this Christmas at all. I must remember not to complain about the crowds when Christmas shopping next year (assuming there WILL be crowds by then!)
I never expected to feel nostalgic for Christmas crowds.
Pretty reflections! It will be a very different holiday season this year, that’s for sure. Like going back in time to when Christmas was less commercial and there were less people around. I guess it could be viewed as an opportunity to dig deep and find ‘the reason for the season.’
I’m sure, for many it will. It has been a year for being grateful for small mercies.
And for 60,000 families it is going to be a very sad time. Such shocking statistics.
I really like the composition of the horizonal photo. But oh how I hate the early setting sun time.
I don’t like it either. Every year, when the nights draw in, I seem to have forgotten how early it gets dark.
Beautiful even if it did seem lonely. It gets dark even earlier for you than it does for us. It Maine, the dark comes at 4:30 this time of year. I was thinking that in stories, the dark always portends something bad. Wouldn’t it be interesting to have the dark portend something good?
It would. We don’t like not knowing, and darkness accentuates that. I suppose it might be happy time for owls that don’t have to wait so long for their dinner?
Yes, and other creatures that creep, hunt, and fly in the shadows.
Beautifully photographed. The clock is a bit ahead of the one at Grantchester
Nice catch – the hands are almost reversed.
Double the lights! I always love reflections like these because they bring a memory of Christmas shopping with my mother, oh, so long ago. For some reason, that image of the reflected lights impressed itself on my memory. But of course there were cars and people, too. Conspicuous by absence now. I think these photos are a great capture of this time.
I’m glad to have brought back memories. There is something classic about it like this, but I am hoping I’ll be able to look back in future and be happy the area has more bustle.