WINTER SOLSTICE

Suddenly it’s here: the shortest day. This year December seems to have dragged, long dreary damp days, wet days, soaking days… Devon in December receives a milder climate than other parts of Britain, but sometimes in return we only see rain. Plymouth is four degrees west of London, so the sun sets later. Even so, I’m longing for the days to begin to lengthen and the freshness of a New Year. 

Last week we visited Cotehele, a National Trust property just over the border in Cornwall, where each year they create and hang a massive garland of dried flowers. I feel certain I’ve posted photos of this before, but such a wonderful sight can never be over-repeated, so here are more photos, including some of the lovely house and garden. I also snapped a warm fire burning in the huge fireplace there (above).

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Christmas approaches rapidly, and for the first time in ages I'm making lists and preparations. This year only four of us will sit around the table, but for each of us the day is a highlight of the year, especially if that year has been difficult or challenging, as I imagine will be the case for many people. Perhaps this is a good time to remember Christmases past, dear long-dead friends and relations, and also people with whom we have lost touch. 

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My reading year 2023 is almost over, and Goodreads congratulated me on hitting my target of 70 books a couple of weeks ago. 

Best book of the year: 'Act of Oblivion' by Robert Harris (about post-civil war Britain and America, and the hunting down of the men who executed the King). Runners up: 'A Winter Grave' by Peter May, 'Kingdom of Strangers' by Zoe Ferraris and 'The Island Home' by Libby Page. I recommend all four. Out of the seventy quite a few were not good choices, and a couple I simply could not finish. Not all books to which famous people give outstanding reviews are necessarily as good as they make out!

Here is my full list in the Challenge if you are interested:  

My Goodreads Challenge 2023!

Finally: the garden in December. Nothing worth seeing here, but of course I'll post a couple of photos:

These were taken at the beginning of December when some sharp frosts hit, and I just had time to move most of my tender plants into the greenhouse, although it was a bit of a scramble.

To end on a positive note, I spotted this little clump of daffodils flowering in the garden at Cotehele. I've never seen such an early - or perhaps late - blooming, but Cornwall is famous for its daffodils, so maybe it's not so unusual there in a sheltered spot. I love seeing the emergence of their green tips in January, and some are already peeping up in my own garden here, so Spring cannot be too far away.

A very HAPPY CHRISTMAS to you all, and the hope for better times (and weather) once the New Year arrives. Enjoy yourselves!