Winter Solstice!

[smilingcat]

Well down here in the very deep south there's the tradition of bon fires - I wonder how many of the faithful fire builders really know where the tradition comes from? snicker

Anyway, the fires are built on top of the Mississippi River levee to -

• guide Papa Noel's sleigh
• or bring in the New Year

So the Solstice Fires are buring down here, and the sun WILL return!

Oh, and don't worry - the fires are built on the levee where there isn't a bike path. So if I felt like riding, I still could.

Aus Deutchland. Tanembaum?

A paegan ritual where they burnt a pine tree on winter solstice night to bring the sun back?

???
smilingcat

[Velobambina]

Just think, it won't be long before we have to remember to ride with our mouths shut again so bees and other insects don't become unintended food. I can't wait.

[Tuckervill]

I think it goes back long before any organized system, when we just needed a little heat and light.

Karen

[solobiker]

Yeh!! I used to not mind the cooler/cold weather but lately I just can'y warm up. Looking forward to the warm weather and having more daylight!!

[RoadRaven]

Summer soltice here - longest day been and gone - hopefully the d*** tui will stop waking me at 5am and every morning I will get a few seconds longer to sleep

Solstice blessings all... whichever solstice you have been a part of

[crazycanuck]

RR-there's nothing like the sight of a Tui Such beautiful birds.

If you can, take a photo of it pleeeease!!!

Perhaps we need to introduce de Amerucins to the tui! (not the beer RR )

C

[RoadRaven]

RR-there's nothing like the sight of a Tui Such beautiful birds.

If you can, take a photo of it pleeeease!!!

Perhaps we need to introduce de Amerucins to the tui! (not the beer RR )

C

LOL - I don't drink Tui... or Speights... or DB... never much liked the taste of it...

But as for my morning alarm clock (whom I managed to sleep through today - didn't wake til 6:45am , a positive sleep-in!) I don't think I'll run outside at 5 /5:30 to snap a pic, but there are a couple, and also some bell-birds who hang out in out harakeke at the moment... will endeavour to do my best for you.

It always surprises me at how small tui are, I expect for such a big sound there would be a bigger "boom-box"

[alpinerabbit]

Aus Deutchland. Tanembaum?

A paegan ritual where they burnt a pine tree on winter solstice night to bring the sun back?

???
smilingcat

Definitely not just a pine tree (wouldn't last very long). Bonfires are attested in history.

Any way, happy solstice. If you want to see something really interesting, go here:

http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/Solstice2007/

[Bad JuJu]

Over here in the Florida panhandle (about 250 miles east of New Orleans), we usually have a bonfire for the winter solstice. But yesterday was windy, rainy, stormy, and today the wind is kicking a$$. So we just have to settle for being happy to greet the returning sun. Here's to lengthening days!

[mimitabby]

Since I was sensible and did NOT ride my bike for the winter solstice, I can only offer you Raleighdon's ride report:

http://www.sersale.org/bike/dbsolstice.htm

enjoy!

[Mr. Bloom]

Wow! With all that riding, I don't know how he has time to do the ride report!

Tell him WELL DONE!