Quarter past nine and I've still got the lights on. It's pitch black without them.

It's noon and I still haven't turned them off yet.

Fourteen minutes ago, at 11.24am, I had to switch the lights on.

All off here, apart from the one lamp that remains on 24/7, 365 days a year like an eternal flame, on the grounds a home should never be totally dark.

It's 9 o'clock in the morning and I still have the lights on.

In July.

Just gone 7 o'clock and I've had to turn the lights on.

I've just turned the lights on and it's not even 7 o'clock yet.

I had to turn the lights on about 6.30pm to clean the kitchen floor.

The nights are drawing in

I've had mine on since about then as well.

I don't get it.

Do you lot live in crystalline domed palaces atop remote, splendid and ancient tors and/or rugged, tussocky hummocks where only the dimming of natural light affects your ability to see anything?

The dimming of natural light is the key factor in my home illumination decisions, it's true. But it's just a house with big windows.

I've had to turn my lights on - and it's not even 1 o'clock yet.

I've not had to turn my lights on yet, but it's such a gloomy day, I might well have to do so soon.

I've just had to use a torch to get the outdoor thermometer readings, for the first time this autumn.

I had to put the light on after my bath, at 5.45pm.

18:04 o'clock and I've just turned my lights on.

I have just this moment put the stair light on.

Though the light in the living room has been on for about half an hour.