Tomorrow is the winter solstice, bringing with it the promise of human sacrifice increasing day length. Just four minutes more light a day: doesn’t sound much, but it soon mounts up, it’s almost an hour per fortnight. But for those of us who can’t wait that long, there’s always feasting, merrymaking and re-runs of Noel’s House Party to keep us occupied (Dr J. L. R. of Canada Water is permitted to substitute the Holby City Christmas Special). So, if I can’t get to blog over the next few days, please accept seasonal good wishes from the many residents of the Maison Des Girrafes (in the garden shed, if frozen).
Cromercrox
is an author who lives in Cromer, Norfolk, England, with his family and numerous pets. He enjoys writing, playing rock organ, beachcombing, supporting Norwich City FC, and falling asleep. By day he is a Senior Editor of a well-known weekly professional science journal beginning with N, whose parent organisation wishes it to be known that none of the views expressed on this blog are theirs, because they don't know where they've been.Twitstorm
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The views and opinions expressed on this blog and in the comments do not necessarily reflect those of the Nature Publishing Group.Norfolk
... is a long way away from anywhere, and if I were you, I shouldn't start from here. By the time you get to the outskirts of Cromer, any distinctions between science, beachcombing, social commentary, writing and animal husbandry have started to blur. When the process is complete, you know you've arrived at the End Of The Pier Show. So, welcome. Find somewhere to park your unicycle. Pull up agirrafechair. Make yourself comfortable.-
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And the same to you and yours, Henry!
Reaching the Solstice always feels great. Even though it’ll still be dark when I leave work for a few more weeks (I usually start to notice a change around my birthday, in the middle of February), knowing that there are 6 months worth of lengthening days on the way is a great psychological boost.
Right back atcha Henry (and family, including dogs and various other domestic critters).
As a special bonus, in this hemisphere there’s a full lunar eclipse tonight… which I might even watch, if I can stay awake that long.
@Cath – it’s not until mid-March (appropriately around the time of the Vernal Equinox) that I both leave for work and arrive home when it’s still light.
@Ricardipus – did you see the lunar eclipse? Apparently it’s the first time for 400 years that one’s happened at the Solstice.
I’ve already scoured the Radio Times and can find no evidence that Holby is having a Christmas double-header this year. Damn you for getting my hopes up!
Season’s best to you and the family, Henry!
Henry, is very bad weather in Cromer?. I wait that passing a good time with your family and your pets in Cromer in this christmas, I hope you are well.
Here in Santiago are 33.8 º C is unbearable…
@Jenny – Oh dear. By way of compensation, the Younger Croxi tell me there’s a Dr Who special on Christmas Day.
@Stephen – thank you!
@Alejandro – it has been very cold (at least by English standards), though the snow is melting. Try to stay cool – and Feliz Navidad from all of us!
And back atcha, Henry. Sounds like your approach to winter festivals is similar to ours. May you have lots more light, and some more warmth, as expected.
God Jul and Happy Solstice to you, Henry, and to all the Croxii and MdG tetrapods!
We’re experiencing a La Niña year, so warm and dry here and not very winter solstice-y. Means I can keep the lettuce, kale, and chard growing throughout the winter, though.
@ Hi Heather! Looks like you’ve got the blues…
@Barn Owl – thanks – the frost has killed off my kale and broccoli…. and one of our elderly chickens…
And hopefully you are well over the solstice / Saturnalia, and the New Year sacrifices and excesses are behind you. We of course do things the other way around, so a walk on the beach is exfoliative because of blown sand and UV rather than because of driven snow…and the temperature is much more conducive for life.
But you folk will live too far North, so good luck with it!
Ed
Er … and a Warm Yule to my friends in the Southern Hemisphere.