THE SUMMER SOLSTICE - June 2014

To celebrate the Summer Solstice we went to watch the sunset from the top of 'our' mountain - the middle of the three peaks pictured below . . .

It had been a beautiful day with clear blue skies. Sunset was at around 9.45pm so we set out walking from our house at 7.30pm. 

Our house is the one peeping out through the trees towards the 
centre/bottom of the picture, to the right of the telegraph pole.

Although I spent my childhood living in the country, I don't think I ever really appreciated it to its full. However, I have spent enough of my adult life in built up suburbia to now appreciate just how fantastic our countryside is. I feel much closer to the elements and seasons than I ever did before. I am starting to understand the weather systems which change on a daily, if not hourly basis. I am learning about the behaviour of the birds, sheep, cows and goats. I can watch the antics of a family of woodpeckers whenever I want. Every day I find new things to amaze me. Climbing the mountain is no different. The undergrowth is made up of so many different plants from tiny flowers and mosses to all sorts of shrubs. There are an abundance of  creatures living on the mountain and I feel the buzzards soaring above are guiding us on our way.

Some small unidentifiable birds were nesting in the undergrowth. 

They clearly have a better sense of direction & homing instinct than me. If I was that bird living here where one piece of heather looks the same as the next, there's no way I'd ever find my house again!

From the summit, we had clear views of Snowdon in the distance

And we celebrated the Solstice sunset with another couple who had walked up from the other side of the mountain.

We had forgotten that the sun sets in a different place in Summer than in Winter. Previous sunsets in Winter had been much more spectacular as the sun disappeared behind the land rather than over the sea.

Photo taken in Winter from the same spot

Then as the sun disappeared, it left a 360° view of the pinky-orange glow just above the horizon.

And the temperature dropped phenomenally. I was pleased we had bought plenty of spare clothing including hat & gloves. I wouldn't have been surprised to see snow!

We made a rapid descent and returned home just as it became dark.

Next blog - Going for a dip.