Six things I’m actually looking forward to this winter, from a summertime simp
Subscribe
X

Get the latest from Beat

17.06.2021

Six things I’m actually looking forward to this winter, from a summertime simp

Words by Arielle Richards

Are you a summer or a winter person?

I know what you’re thinking. You love winter, because you love the fashion. Because you love the sound of rain pattering on the roof while you cozy up under a doona on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate. You love comfort food, soup season, lasagne weather. You love being able to put on more clothes to warm up, whereas in summer there’s only so many layers of clothing you can peel off to cool down. I’ve heard it all before. Everyone loves winter.

But I hate winter. I’ve always hated winter. I hate the cold, the rain, the hail and especially the damn wind. I hate grey skies and having to go to the laundromat to dry my clothes. In winter, I’ll try to sit inside your heater, and if you switch it off and tell me to put more clothes on, I’ll have a complete meltdown.

Stay up to date with what’s happening in Melbourne here.

I love to go out, and winter makes that annoying for me.

But things are different this year.

While we barely had a summer – oh no, I don’t want to talk about it – winter’s sudden arrival felt somehow less threatening. Is it because last year we experienced the strangest winter yet? When it was Netflix on the couch and soup season every single day? When we couldn’t leave the house even if we wanted to? No events, no waiting in the rain, no umbrellas… nowhere to go.

And, to be honest, summer was a bit of a shock. All of a sudden, we could leave our homes, go out and enjoy life. But we weren’t ready. We were awkward and incredibly sweaty, and we didn’t know how to clothe ourselves.

And now, old mate wintertime has embraced us with welcoming arms, holding the promise of all those wet weather activities – outside the house – we missed out on last year. Frankly, I’m not mad about it.

Here’s six things I’m actually excited for this cold season.

Getting dressed

Last year, my lockdown uniform of trackie dacks and hoodies meant half my wardrobe’s contents didn’t even get a wear! As someone who hates winter, I’ve learned to be prepared for the worst at all times. This is why I have a bounteous collection of cute and warm winter gear, including fluffy hats, thick stockings to wear under pants, and the options of fancy leather gloves, wooly cute gloves or mittens. I always bring a backup scarf with me, and I’m investing in a pair of earmuffs this very second.

Pool

Not the wet kind. Although, I’ve long entertained a theory: the local heated pool must be the best spot for wintertime exercise. Think about it – a couple of laps in the heated pool, then on to a steam in the sauna? Sounds pretty good to me. Not that I’ve ever actually tested the theory. I just know.

Of course, the stick and ball type pool is a year-round activity. But it’s definitely enjoyed the most in winter. Aside from Settlers of Catan, it’s my favourite indoor game. And winter feels like the perfect time to while away a few hours at Red Triangle, because it is.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Brunswick Baths (@brunswickbaths)

Eating poutine

I don’t care what you have to say – a meal consisting wholly of chips, gravy and cheese is only acceptable when it’s below 15 outside. This is not a discussion.

Soup

Soup is a year-round thing for me. Ramen, laksa, udon, pho, hot pot… Pumpkin soup with cheese toasties – all can be enjoyed on a 30 degree day, at any time of the day. But I am excited to have a clear, distinct reason to indulge in some soup, to not have to drag friends kicking and screaming, “It’s not laksa weather!”. When the cold makes its way into your bones, hot, preferably spicy, soup is the only antidote. A few of Melbourne’s best soups can be found at Viet Rose, Laksa King Kitchen, Shujinko Ramen and Udon Yasan.

Mulled wine/hot cider season

In winter I get so cold I like to fill my water bottles with hot tap water. I don’t know why I’m exposing myself like this, but the point is – don’t we all love a hot drink when it’s cold outside? Apparently it’s better for your hydration anyway, as it takes less time for your body to bring it up to body temperature, thereby aiding digestion? I can’t guarantee the truth of that statement, but I wouldn’t believe me – I believe everything people tell me.

I’m looking forward to sampling every single offering of hot cider and mulled wine across the city. And you can look forward to my next article where I will haphazardly rate them on a completely arbitrary scale.

Markets

While bar stints, gigs and house parties are all fine winter activities, there’s something about miserable grey skies and rain that induces the opposite of a kick-ons mood. That’s why, this winter I’m looking forward to sleeping at a reasonable time on weekend evenings, so I can hit the morning markets.

We have some really fabulous markets in Melbourne, and they’re one of the few outdoor things which actually feel cozy and cute on grizzly days. I can picture myself now, basket in hand, shopping for seasonal produce – pumpkin, squash and potato for soups! – at the Bundoora Farmers’ Market. Purchasing interesting knick knacks, useful household appliances and some house plants at the Coburg Markets.

Catch me spending all the money I don’t have at the Fitzroy and Camberwell Markets, and pretending to be bougie as I squander it all on artisanal items at the Alphington Market. I love markets.