Thursday, 21 December 2017

Winter Solstice


The shortest day.  Today the sun rises at 8.03 a.m. (and it really was pretty dark still at 8 a.m.) and sets at 3.53 p.m.  This photo, taken on the road home from Leominster last week, shows how gloomy it was at just gone 3 p.m.  Once today is over I can start counting the catkins as they appear and marking each 5 minute inclination towards the light. 

We had to journey to Leominster again this week, but didn't linger and we dropped back down to Hay-on-Wye for lunch and to wish various friends a merry Christmas.  It was good to chat with friends, and we enjoyed a little wander around the shops, going back to the car laden with cut-price remaindered cookery books and some little glass jars for Harissa-making.


Above and below: a couple of Hay shops in festive mood.  The greengrocers always stocks as much local produce as possible.  It's brilliant at apple harvest time, and I have tried all sorts of unusual apples.  Orange Pippins are great.



I have got the 70% Wholemeal dough for muffins rising in my breadmaker, so had best get down and get it knocked back and get busy cutting out muffin shapes with a mug so they can start to rise.  I haven't made muffins for ages, so must get back into the habit.  I have scarcely bought any bread since having the Panasonic and, like the slow cooker, is one gadget I couldn't be without nowadays.

Finally (below) a fuzzy picture of a big ball of Mistletoe.


Now for the enjoyable part of Christmas, making edible gifts and nice things for nibbles when all our family are here for Christmas.  We had to pop into Tescopolis yesterday and you would think the shops were going to be shut for a fortnight, rather than just one day!  Some folk near us were loading multiple (20 ish?!) bags into the back of their - SMALL - car and I couldn't help thinking, OMG, the front wheels will come off the ground in a minute!!!

Tam (eldest daughter) arrives home today, but I shall be on edge until she gets here.  The older I get, the worse my nerves are . . .

Anyway, enjoy the Winter Solstice - I should imagine the roads leading to Stonehenge are going to be a wee bit choc-a-bloc though! - and let us look forward to the slowly-lengthening days again.

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12 comments:

  1. Linda d21 December 2017 at 06:23

    Those brussel Sprouts have my name on them and, I must admit, that is a most impressive Mistletoe.

    Happy Winter Solstice!

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  2. Bovey Belle21 December 2017 at 11:25

    No more than 6 sprouts now then Linda, or there may be Repercussions!! We had a fabulous Mistletoe ball like that one year (bought in Hay, unsurprisingly) - this one looked amazing in our friend Marina's shop.

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  3. Ragged Robin21 December 2017 at 12:46

    We have a Panasonic Bread Maker too - SO useful :) Love the huge ball of Mistletoe. I still have the main dreaded Christmas food shop to do. Managing to get some home baking done this week and lots of stuff now in the freezer. May have a go at Stained Glass Biscuits tomorrow if I get time. I sometimes think I enjoy the preparations for Christmas almost more than the actual event!!

    Happy Winter Solstice :)

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    Replies
    1. Bovey Belle21 December 2017 at 14:07

      I'm with you on that last comment RR. On the day I always end up frazzled and tbh, Boxing Day is far more enjoyable - everything cooked to nibble on, and good jumps racing on the telly.

      I hope you brave the Big Shop with Fortitude . . .

      Delete
  4. Simon Douglas Thompson21 December 2017 at 13:56

    Now I look forward, day by day, week by week, to brighter starts for my cycling, and the flowers coming forth in the cemetery

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  5. Bovey Belle21 December 2017 at 14:09

    Oh gosh, cycling to work and back can't be much fun in the winter. Seeing flowers come into bloom is always a joy though.

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  6. Susan Heather21 December 2017 at 21:53

    I came to you from Weaver of Grass. I loved my Panasonic Breadmaker as well but it finally died and, as I am now gluten free I have not replaced it. Love your photos. Nice and cool. Here in the North of New Zealand it is 30 degrees C. and humid today.

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  7. Bovey Belle22 December 2017 at 00:18

    Hi Susan, and welcome. I noticed my Panasonic has recipes for gluten free loaves, but I expect you have found other ways round the bread dilemma.

    Mild, damp and misty here. I have a dear close friend in Christchurch, so guess they are sweltering too. Merry Christmas.

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  8. hart22 December 2017 at 11:17

    I read often but rarely post--have a happy holiday and a good 2018.

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    Replies
    1. Bovey Belle23 December 2017 at 10:59

      Thank you so much for posting today. I hope you enjoy the holiday too, and all the best for 2018.

      Delete
  9. angryparsnip22 December 2017 at 21:13

    Lovely blog as always plus the photos !
    Son was born on the Winter Solstice. He loves the cold winter days the best.

    Merry Merry Christmas
    cheers, parsnip and mandibles

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    Replies
    1. Bovey Belle23 December 2017 at 11:00

      One of mine was born on Christmas Eve, but prefers to be WARM!! Merry Christmas to you and yours parsnip, and all the best for 2018.

      Delete

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