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Then comes Solstice

Friday, 21 December, 2018

Every year there’s a feeling that Christmas isn’t really coming. It’s not in the air. ‘It doesn’t feel like Christmas,’ we hear. And no, it actually doesn’t. Krish says it’s the lack of snow but I don’t believe it’s that. I think it’s the loss of the magic we imagine belongs the season, remembered from when we were children and Christmas was all about laughter and presents. I was thinking tonight about coal fires. Suddenly I remembered putting the coal into the fireplace and lighting the newspaper below it and the smell as it caught fire.

I don’t remember but I’m sure I’m sure there were wished-for presents since we would write a letter to Father Christmas and burn it on the fire. The smoke and sparks would go up the chimney and from to the North Pole. This was surely true since very year at least one of those presents would show up. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

It’s been very rainy and windy. The days are short and it’s dark some time after 3pm.

No sign of Christmas in the Little Local. Where are the decorations?
No sign of Christmas in the Little Local. Where are the decorations?
It's 3:45 and The Narrow Way is dark and wet. This shop sounds a bit extraordinary
It’s 3:45 and The Narrow Way is dark and wet. This shop sounds a bit extraordinary
Lisa and i went to Pall Vaults and there was a tiny hint of Christmas in this Cannelle
Lisa and i went to Palm Vaults and there was a tiny hint of Christmas in this Cannelle

And all along Dalston Lane, can you see Christmas?
And all along Dalston Lane, can you see Christmas?

But we were heading into the Winter Solstice, For quite a few years I’ve been part of a Flickr group that celebrates each Equinox and Solstice with a day of photos from wherever its members live. I’ve missed a few but not too many. I knew this solstice I wasn’t planning anything very special until we were invited over to Krish’s friend Rosie’s flat for ‘mince pies and tea. Christmas at last?
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