The 'Second Sleep'

A recent article in the New York Times (my web news of choice), considered how sleeping habits have changed over the last few hundred years. Even though we're sleeping less now (an average of six hours a night), the article suggested that we're actually getting better quality Zzzzzzs. Apparently sleeping in the middle ages was another matter entirely, tempestuous weather, vermin, noise... (sounds like my weekend camping in Derbyshire). It went on to say:

Until the modern age, most households had two distinct intervals of slumber, known as "first" and "second" sleep, bridged by an hour or more of quiet wakefulness. Usually, people would retire between 9 and 10 o'clock only to stir past midnight to smoke a pipe, brew a tub of ale or even converse with a neighbor.

Imagine having two sleeps, waking up in the wee hours to chat, drink tea or make love, I kinda like the idea. Like having two dinners. Sleep is lush, one of my best things to do, so any chance of getting more if it sounds like a great idea to me.