Merry Yule or how to lose a year of blogging.

Well you can't say I didn't try it. It's now been a year since I blogged as The Prof and I gave facebook a go instead. As you can see, I'm back and the least said the better.

Tree and I saw in the Solstice by going to British Camp and watching the sunrise over Bredon Hill. Considering the bad weather of late we were very lucky to see it at all. As it is, the shafts of sunlight that crept out across the Worcester basin, like thin fingers of fire, were quite amazing. A special moment spent with a special person.

So it only remains for me to say, Solstice Blessings for a Merry Yule and good fortune and happiness be with you whoever, or wherever, you are.

Solstice greetings and a Merry Yule

Up and out, before a Robin's twitter, Tree and I headed to the Malvern Hills to celebrate the return of the sun. Taking a small lamp and a seat (an essential item) we walked up from The Wyche cutting to midway between the Beacon and British Camp. Snow had fallen overnight and the top of the hills was cast in a subtle blue light as the first rays of sunlight came over the horizon. It seems that this year was a little too cold for others as we remained alone for the whole time we were up there. At one point we did begin to feel the cold creeping into our bones and decided to dance to get the blood moving again. This worked well but would have presented quite a sight to anyone walking by. This Solstice will be most remembered for the fact that we were able to share it together and uninterrupted.

A very Merry Solstice Blessing to one and all and a Happy Yule.

Beautiful Wytch

As it is almost into minus shopping days to the 25th, I decided to open the shop even though its Sunday. I was not looking forward to doing it and would rather have had a snooze in bed. However, after dragging myself through the fog and ice, I arrived at the Wytch Cutting in Malvern to be greeted with a spectacular view of Bredon Hill poking out through the Dragon's breath that had descended into the valley below. What with the Solstice sunrise yesterday and this display of Mother at her best, I feel full of good expectations for the days ahead.

A Merry Yule and the Solstice sunrise.

I have just got back from the British Camp on the Malvern Hills after watching the Solstice sunrise. I got there at about 7AM to find the whole place in pitch darkness with a heavy fog. Finding my way to the top was eventful to say the least and twice I nearly fell A over T down the hills. My visibility was down to about 3 foot and, having forgotten my hat, freezing as well. I think the first photo of the pathway shows how bad it was. I reached the top and hailed the four watchtowers, hoping that it would warm up and clear a little in time for the sunrise. Just before sunrise I met two people called Anne & Jane who introduced themselves and waited alongside me. The wind by now was picking up and I could feel one side of my body getting number and wetter by the second. Then, slowly, the fog began to clear and a tinge of pink spread across the skyline. We weren't able to see the sun on the horizon but all the same the colours were beautiful. The fog began to lift and the sky was a deep blue behind us. By 9AM we thought we had seen the best of it and retired to lower ground and shared some of Anne's most excellent coffee. All in all, a nice sunrise and, more importantly, a feeling of grounding and a new beginning to the year. It was nice meeting Anne & Jane who, by the way, are from London originally and maybe I shall see them again, either at the shop or on the Hills.

A Merry Solstice to everyone and a Happy New Year.