Midwinter
December 22nd is the 2023 date of the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. This day is variously known as Midwinter, the Shortest Day or the Longest Night. We expect to have around 7½ hours of daylight, though if it’s a gloomy day it will seem much less than that. In the most northerly parts of the northern hemisphere there may be no daylight at all. After that, the days start to lengthen, at the rate of about 15 minutes per week.
In my experience the coldest weather comes in the months following Midwinter. January and February are nasty, brutish and cold.
Christina Rossetti’s poem ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ is a favourite carol of mine and has been sung to two major settings, one by Harold Darke (1888-1976)
and the other, perhaps more familiar, by Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
Of course the opposite for us, the summer solstice and then our hottest months. I wonder if there is anywhere in the world that has daily temperatures of 22, low of 16 at night and only rains at night, plus only ever a gentle breeze blowing. Still, what would we talk about...
ReplyDeleteHaHa! I've only got one favourite Carol....
ReplyDeleteAnd that's Carol Kirkwood..the weather lady
on BBC Breakfast...! :)x
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln01p1M2cH0
🔥🌲😊🌲🔥🌲🔥🌲😊🌲🔥🌲🔥🌲😊🌲🔥🌲🔥
I love In The Bleak Midwinter too, a timeless classic.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
I found myself wondering about all those beautiful young faces...I wonder where they are this Christmas? I hope that they are happy. Merry Christmas, Jabblog.
ReplyDeleteI have just spent quite a lot of time watching different videos of In The Bleak Midwinter.
ReplyDeleteBoth you and Thelma mention it.
DeleteIn the Bleak Midwinter is one of my favourite carols too. Will have a listen to both of your links, Janice, thank you for sharing! xxx
ReplyDeleteThe coldest months here are definitely yet to come. I always think of the winter solstice as a turning point - things are going to get lighter and brighter and Spring will be here before we know it (hopefully!)
ReplyDelete