The shortest day in the south and the longest day in the north, the Solstice reminds us of the balance in the seasonal cycles.
Because of unforeseen circumstances I have not been able to do my usual weekly blog post. I intend to be back to my regular blogging next week.
I wish all readers a Happy Solstice, be it winter or summer, and in lieu of a proper post, I link to some of my previous posts related to our southern hemisphere winters:
Southern Solstice: Celebrating with aloes
Drab busters: Winter flowers bearing brightness
White Paint Brush: A winter-flowering woodland favourite
Wild Dagga: Cheerfulness in early winter
Posted by Carol
letting nature back in 
July 2, 2019 at 2:10 am
I am so glad the days are getting longer again! Hip hip hooray!!!
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July 4, 2019 at 7:34 pm
Nog ‘n piep! 🙂
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July 5, 2019 at 2:00 am
Hoera!
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June 22, 2019 at 10:38 am
Hoping all is well, Carol. I too, have been unable to blog for a short while and the solstice has come and gone. I was driving past Stonehenge on that very evening though, so it was very much in my mind. Looking forward to seeing you back when circumstances permit.
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June 23, 2019 at 6:54 pm
Thank you very much Sandra. How special to drive past Stonehenge at Solstice. I recall driving past there many years ago and being surprised how close to the main road it is and also how compact it is. I hope that you are also able to get back to blogging soon too. As I have mentioned in other comments, we have had a sad time with one of our pets.
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June 24, 2019 at 9:34 am
I’m sorry to hear of your sad news Carol; I understand completely. Sympathy and good wishes accompany this reply.
Approval has been granted to take the road through a tunnel to avoid the bottlenecks which are a frequent problem around Stonehenge. I imagine it will improve the experience of visiting enormously – no constant traffic noise – and it will speed up my regular trips back and forth. It will be some years away before completion of course. I will miss seeing the stones, despite the delays!
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June 27, 2019 at 2:41 pm
Thank you for your sympathy and good wishes, Sandra.
Interesting about the planned tunnel – seems to be a major project. I wonder if tunneling will throw up any previously undiscovered archaeological sites!
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June 27, 2019 at 5:23 pm
Yes indeed!
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June 22, 2019 at 9:55 am
The sun woke me at 4:30am this morning. I’m appreciating the long northern days while they last, although all times of year have their own beauty. Hope you have a good second half of your winter 🙂
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June 23, 2019 at 6:50 pm
Those long northern days are lovely. The coldest part of our winter is still to come, and though the nights are a bit chilly (by my standards) the days are mostly sunny and bright. Although I like the summer it is nice to have a break from our usually high summer humidity. Yes each season has its own specialness.
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June 22, 2019 at 8:48 am
Greetings from Solstice North!
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June 23, 2019 at 6:46 pm
Thanks so much Tish . Your long days must be lovely, though I would guess that our winter daytime temperatures are not that much different to yours in the summertime but our current night temperatures are likely colder than yours are at the moment. We are very spoilt here with our mild winters! Which is not to say that this evening I am not wearing layers of jerseys and have the heater on and a cat on my lap!
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June 23, 2019 at 7:18 pm
We had summer yesterday – all of a sudden. Now I too am wearing a sweater and the log burner is lit!
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June 23, 2019 at 7:22 pm
Gosh! We are hoping to only need to light our wood burner in July. I hope you get to have some more summer soon!
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June 23, 2019 at 8:27 pm
Thanks for that kind thought, Carol. Our weather is so bizarre.
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June 22, 2019 at 6:51 am
Happy Solstice Carol! The coldest part of winter is yet to come, but more sunshine and promise of spring is wonderful! xxx
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June 23, 2019 at 6:26 pm
Thank you Christeen. Yes the coldness ahead is made a bit easier by the lengthening days and the promise of spring. Keep warm!
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June 22, 2019 at 3:20 am
A favorite quote of mine, by the general manager of a business I worked for, referring to some changes taking place: “We don’t expect any unforeseen problems.” I hope all is well and you experience smooth sailing in the coming longer days.
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June 23, 2019 at 6:24 pm
Thank you Graham. We have had a sad time with one of our pets.
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June 24, 2019 at 7:00 am
Sorry to hear that. A friend here is going through the same thing right now. All the best.
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June 27, 2019 at 2:38 pm
Thanks very much Graham. I sympathize with your friend.
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June 22, 2019 at 2:51 am
The longer day here is glorious, but it also brings the realization that daylight starts to dwindle on it’s way toward your shorter version.
Hoping all is well!
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June 23, 2019 at 6:23 pm
The wheel keeps on turning! Enjoy your many summery days that still remain. Our colder winter days are usually in July, but it helps that the days will gradually be lengthening.
We are okay thank you. Had a sad time with one of our pets.
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June 21, 2019 at 7:46 pm
I hope your circumstances still allow you to relish the solstice in some way: though I certainly prefer the longer daylight offered by our current model here in the northern part of the planet.
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June 23, 2019 at 6:18 pm
Thank you Margaret. Yes indeed and I am sure you will be making the most of your summer days.
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June 25, 2019 at 1:19 pm
Summer? Wot summer? Driving rain here…..
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June 27, 2019 at 2:42 pm
Oh dear – hope you get some sunshine soon!
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