Solstice

At Meinwen’s insistence, we all stumped up to the Laver Stone in the pre-dawn light, accompanied by a multitude of songs from what seemed to be every bird for five miles. Just what is it with the dawn chorus, anyway? I’ve never understood why they all choose to sing at the same moment, heralding the dawn. I’m not complaining, mind, I think it one of the most beautiful sounds the earth produces. I just don’t know why.

We reached the stone in plenty of time and Julie set out the picnic basket. She’d bought enough tea for everyone (and coffee for Felicia, hot water for Meinwen (who found a sprig of some herb or other to make tea with)) and we had a small slice of cake as we watched the sun rise from the top of the falls. The clearing at the stone is surrounded by trees, but you can see the Eastern sky clearly from the waterfall.

Obviously, when I say ‘everyone’ I’m not including Gillian, since the sunrise would be the last thing she ever saw. Not that I didn’t try to persuade her to come, mind.

Lucy didn’t have tea and cake, either, though she did seem pleased to be included. It’s hard to believe she’s two-thirds of a year old already.

So that was Our Solstice morning. How about yours?


Image: Peak District by Roly Smith