[Rosemary]

Well, today's the shortest day, so from tomorrow, the nights start drawing out albeit almost imperceptibly slowly.

It's a beautiful day here today - mild, blue sky and the sun is shining - we are so grateful for the good winter we've had so far.

I'd like to wish you all a Happy Solstice and all the very best for the coming year 

[jaykay]

Happy Winter Solstice too Rosemary 

We've got one of those 'lazy cloud' days, ie they won't get up off the floor. But days lengthening again is definitely worth celebrating 

[Victorian Farmer]

Yes it's very good news  just need the new Yerevan naw then spring

[ellied]

One day I certainly look forward to and celebrate   Bring on the precious extra minutes of daylight

Happy Solstice all

[Lesley Silvester]

Spring is on its way.  Yaaaay!   

[Fleecewife]

We celebrate the Solstice with a meal of all home produced food (which is cooking as I write  ) and we bring in a new yule log and burn the old one from last year.  We also mull over what we did right and wrong over the last 12 months and start planning for the next twelve.
I have been unwell for the past 5 months, so I am hoping this will be the turning point and with the lengthening days I will start to improve.  Today I got outside for one of only a handful of times recently - it was lovely     I know I am not the only one on here who has been unwell, and who has had to cut back on animals and activities because of poor health - so I wish all of you a wonderfully healthy and happy year to come, starting from today with increasing daylight, which is always a boost 

[knightquest]

Happy Solstice everyone. 

And a big HUG to you Juliet. I hope you get back to full fitness much faster than the days get longer. 

Here's to a great year ahead

Ian

[deepinthewoods]

Howlsav an Gwav lowen

(happy winter solstice in cornish)

[Stonehead]

This morning, I spent half an hour photographing the solstice sunrise behind the neolithic Stonehead Circle that stands opposite our croft.

My favourite image from the shoot is below, the rest can be seen on my blog.

[jaykay]

Lovely photo 

[little blue]

  to everyone

[knightquest]

Great picture(s) Stonehead 

Ian

[Fleecewife]

What a great photo and a wonderful place to live 

Thank you for the hug Ian - I needed that 

So now the days are getting longer - I'm sure I can feel the difference  although the rain is coming down.

[bazzais]

A happy new year to you too Rosemary

I've had enough already, having more sunlight will be sure to sort it all out

I'm soooo sooo glad weve gone beyond the darkest day - I work with the aminals here (and have no kids) so having the phone ring at 8.30 in the morning when its dark is a nightmare.


I  dont like darkness - loose motivation.

Though as Stonehead has pictured - its a crazy time, and beuatiful. Blessed we are.

Baz

[Norfolk Newby]

It's good to get past the solstice. However, it is easy to think that Spring is here, forgetting that  - for me - the worst 3 months of the Winter are about to start.

Last Winter made it clear that it can still be horrid. This year, December has been mostly mild and relatively dry.

I live in Norfolk and a really wet Winter would be appreciated. I know your folk up north have had a lot of rain (the lunchtime weather forecast said something like 1.8 metres this year in Scotland!!). However, we have had very little and are expecting a draught order to start any day.

We have just had one of the warmest years every recorded here with similar recording equalling if not breaking Christmas and New Year's days. But I keep thinking back to December 2010 so anything is possible.