I have seen the light
This is probably my favourite day of the year.
Midwinter, the Winter Solstice, or as we Celts call it – Grianstad an Gheimhridh.
What I like about it is the simple knowledge that the days aren’t getting any shorter. I know this evening will be just as dark as yesterday, but just knowing that tomorrow will be just that fraction lighter cheers me.
I know that the worst of the Winter weather probably still lies ahead but the fact remains that we are now slowly climbing out of the valley into Summer once more. The other day I noticed that the snowdrops are peeking up amongst the weeds, dead leaves and dog shite which is another nice sign. Next it will be the Daffydowndillies, crocuses and Tulips, with a bit of luck.
Of course here in Ireland all eyes turn to Newgrange on the solstice, where the rising sun illuminates the chamber on this morning. What isn’t generally known is that there are many examples of Bronze Age engineering that provide the same effect.
Here in Head Rambles Manor we have an excellent example. I was up before dawn this morning to witness the event, and for once we had one up on Newgrange as they were clouded in but we had clear skies. It was a very emotional moment as the tip of the sun rose above the horizon and for just a few moments illuminated the pile of old gin bottles and rusty baked bean cans at the bottom of the garden. One has to admire the incredible engineering and knowledge of astronomy behind this phenomenon. I would have photographed the event, but I forgot to charge the batteries in my camera.
Maybe next year?
Dear god, old gin bottles and rusty baked bean cans – how very seasonal.Not to mention: "dog shite which is another nice sign" !!Since when was dog poo a nice site????
It's the fucking snowdrops that are a nice sight, not the shite! *sigh*
Ah okay – bit slow today!
p.s. I knew that.
You knew what? That you are slow today?
I could not agree more GD. I also feel exactly the same way every Dec 21st. Some people like the winter. I fuckin' hate it, including Xmas. Give me a warm spring day anytime. With daylight.Now then. What the fuck is going on? This is the first pleasant, non-bitchin, pissing and moaning post that I can recall you ever gracing us with. As I read through it I'm thinking "It's coming, it's coming" and it didn't. I reckon you must have got your leg over this morning.
"This is the first pleasant, non-bitchin, pissing and moaning post that I can recall you ever gracing us with." What the fuck you on about? I regularly write poetic stuff from the heart with no bitchin' whatsoever. I think I wrote one as recently as 2009.
"I reckon you must have got your leg over this morning." Will you watch what you're writing for fuck's sake! Herself reads this sometimes.
Same as you and tt, I always remark on the Winter Solstice and the fact that the days will from now on be getting longer. Perhaps it's an age thing? I don't remember thinking about it when I was younger. And as for fucking winter weather…I'm a fair bit south of UK, but it was still 12 C today, and wet. Grrr. I look forward to retiring to Thailand. In Bangkok they complain of the biting cold when the night temperature drops down to 23 C. Average daytime temp is about 32 C. Perfect. As for sunrise this morning GD, that must have been very moving. Especially if the gin bottles were Bombay Sapphire. Even Gordons would have been pretty amazing, I guess. Particularly if you'd just added one to the pile.
Hendricks gin is the best.