The shortest day of the year today, and I've really enjoyed it. I cooked up a yummy batch of scotch pancakes for breakfast, and our morning unfolded gently and leisurely at home. After an early lunch we took a spur of the moment trip to Bolton Abbey to listen to the sound of rushing water and breathe in the fresh winter air. Woodland walking is really lovely in winter time I think. I took time to look up and down as I walked. Up through the wintry, twiggy canopy to the blue sky, and down to the beautifully vibrant mossy stones. So beautiful.
After our walk, we drove back to town via The Scenic Route up over the top of Barden moor. My my, the afternoon light was incredible today. And the clouds!!! WOW!! What weird and wonderful shapes the clouds were making! And the light, did I mention the incredible light on the hills? I absolutely love it when you get to actually see sun rays shafting down through the clouds (I photographed it in Autumn too, do you remember?) It seemed to me as if the sky was putting on a magical Winter Solstice show.
Before coming home, I stopped off at my friends front garden to gather some greenery. She seemed a little surprised when I turned up with secateurs, offering to "trim" her holly, ivy and other unknown red-berried bush for her.
I kept our Solstice celebrations simple this year :: a jug for the greenery to sit on the hearth, the fire burning brightly, and lots of candle light. A few secret wishes too. Tomorrow the day will be a little bit longer and the night will be a little bit shorter. Worth celebrating don't you think?
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Ps. Thank you all SO much for your well wishes re Little Man and his wibbly legs. I'm really happy to announce that he's finally managed to shrug the germs off and is very much better. He's not quite 100% yet, but pretty close. Pheww.
PLEASED TO HEAR THAT Little Man is on the mend and your photos are stunning!!! Happy Christmas to you and all your family.
Posted by: alisonb2 | December 22, 2011 at 11:02 PM
OOooops! Now where did the capital letters come from? Probably from typing in the dark! Happy Christmas.
Posted by: alisonb2 | December 22, 2011 at 11:03 PM
Hi Lucy
I think I' ve finally found a way to say thank you-for all your wonderful photos and words and...for finally teaching me to crochet:)
Happy holidays
Candicex
Posted by: CANDICE | December 22, 2011 at 11:09 PM
What kind of birds are those? Love the bright clear pictures! Blessed Christmas to you and yours.
Posted by: Reneelynn | December 22, 2011 at 11:11 PM
Happy Solstice! I like the description of those rays of sun being 'God's Glitter Ball". Glad your boy is feeling better.
Thanks for all the lovely posts. I really look forward to them.
Posted by: Rachael Iddon | December 22, 2011 at 11:26 PM
You take the most beautiful pictures and I love seeing the scenery almost as much as I love looking at your crochet...LOL
You've probably posted an answer to this question before, but I'd like to know what kind of camera you use.
Oh, yes...what kind of birds are those??? Very interesting looking :)
I'm soooo glad Little Man is feeling better. Can't be sick for Christmas, now can we???
Posted by: Colleen | December 22, 2011 at 11:27 PM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Angie | December 22, 2011 at 11:36 PM
i like these pictures!
Posted by: 'me' | December 22, 2011 at 11:37 PM
Dear Lucy the photos are great! I love your optimism that the amount of daylight will be more tomorrow something that you share with the lovely MrA. Do you both know exactly how many minutes and seconds that will be? Just joking!! xx
Posted by: Sarah west mids uk | December 22, 2011 at 11:41 PM
I feel the same about the Winter Solstice. It's so nice to know that the days are starting to get longer. I've greatly enjoyed your blog since a friend sent me here earlier in the year. I am an American with a heart for England and love seeing your photos of the lovely English countryside from my home in North Alabama. I wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and look forward to reading more from the attic in 2012. Most Sincerely, Debra
Posted by: Debra | December 22, 2011 at 11:45 PM
I love the Winter Solstice,it's absolutely worth celebrating. Here's to longer, brighter days. :)
Posted by: greenrabbitdesigns | December 22, 2011 at 11:48 PM
Wow, such beautiful pictures!
So interesting to look at them on the other side of the world where it was the longest day of the year. I always feel a little bit excited that I get to celebrate my birthday on the longest day (!)
I wish I'd taken some opposite photos as I sat in the summer sunshine in the local park with friends and their kidlets. The canopies are lush and green, and the sky a deep blue. And thank goodness (living in Australia) the grass is still green too :-)
Posted by: Sonia | December 22, 2011 at 11:49 PM
So pleased to hear that your little man is feeling well again, and just in time for Christmas.
Posted by: Lenora | December 22, 2011 at 11:53 PM
I am so happy Little Man will be back on springy, cheery form for Christmas. My little man is coughing away but with time, love, and a bucketful of simple pleasures and Christmas magic he will be back on form.
Happy, joyful, peaceful Yuletide to you Lucy.
I love the winter solstice for its poetry and the fact it is our wedding anniversary.
Posted by: Stephanie | December 22, 2011 at 11:56 PM
So happy to hear the little man is feeling better!
Posted by: Alexandmom | December 23, 2011 at 12:08 AM
You have the most beautiful walks! Thank you for sharing the gorgeous scenery.
Posted by: Angela | December 23, 2011 at 12:11 AM
Lucy,
Your photos are always lovely, but today's are gorgeous! I especially love the clouds. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Posted by: Sharon | December 23, 2011 at 12:20 AM
Lucy,
Your photos are wonderful and you are right the light is lovely at this time of year.
So glad you take photos of the clouds too, many people never notice them.
Hope you have a happy Christmas.
Love,
Kay
Posted by: Kay G. | December 23, 2011 at 12:56 AM
I am so glad he is doing better...and the pictures are just amazing! :)
Merry Christmas and may this new year be filled with new fun things to stitch :=D
Maria
Posted by: Maria | December 23, 2011 at 01:17 AM
Thank you for the lovely photos. So Pretty!!
Posted by: eva | December 23, 2011 at 01:31 AM
Thank you for the photos. They are beautiful as usual. Just amazing scenery, I wish I could walk right over for a hike. Those birds, were they real? or a statue. They were the oddest looking things, in a neat way!
Posted by: SewLindaAnn | December 23, 2011 at 01:34 AM
So glad your son is feeling better. That was a long time to be sick! Happy Christmas!
Posted by: Teri | December 23, 2011 at 01:40 AM
So glad your little man is almost 100% back to himself. Loved seeing your stunning day! Merry Christmas Lucy and family! xoRobin❤
Posted by: Robin | December 23, 2011 at 01:56 AM
Amazing photos, please tell the story of the metal birds sculpture! Glad LM is doing better and wishing all at Attic 24 Happy Christmas, Love from a faithful reader.
Posted by: Amy | December 23, 2011 at 01:58 AM
Glad Little Man is feeling better. I am so envious of the fresh holly. We can't even buy it here. I grew up with a holly tree in the front garden and miss it so much at Christmas.
Posted by: Marjorie | December 23, 2011 at 02:13 AM