Summer solstice!

A couple of weeks ago I had an attack of insanity and thought as it's something everyone is supposed to do at least once I would do the solstice at stonehenge. So I am now sat in a queue waiting for the carpark to open at seven and thought I would share. Pictures will be up some when over the weekend

Pinche turistas! Hope you end up having fun, though

Wow. Hope you have a few joints rolled.

Apparently just standing in the circle is enough you don't need to bring your own

sphinx wrote:Apparently just standing in the circle is enough you don't need to bring your own

Hahahahahahaha   

I used to live down the road many years ago......once you drive past them a couple of times a week you become a bit....meh

anyway enjoy - watch out for them druids

On my way home. Very tired

sphinx wrote:On my way home. Very tired

Did you see Victor Sphinx?

 

WINTER SOLSTICE coming up [or down..] here....

Another six weeks or so now of increasingly colder weather until the temp's start turning upwards again in early August..    

If i did see Victor I did not know it was Victor if that makes sense

Bet it was an amazing experience though, looking forward to seeing the pics   

 

BY MY reckoning, Sphinxy has opted out halfway through and gone home early...

THE "true believers" (as opposed to the gawkers, the curious and the wannabes..) should be staying there through to Sunday morning.  ::happ:: 

Cass wrote:I used to live down the road many years ago......once you drive past them a couple of times a week you become a bit....meh

anyway enjoy - watch out for them druids

That's exactly what i thought the first time i saw it - "oh, is that really it?".

One problem lone wolf ...... The henge had to be vacated by eight this morning and the carpark emptied by midday. True believers or not everyone had to be gone by lunchtime

Sorry double post

BigAndy9 wrote:

Cass wrote:I used to live down the road many years ago......once you drive past them a couple of times a week you become a bit....meh

anyway enjoy - watch out for them druids

That's exactly what i thought the first time i saw it - "oh, is that really it?".

yup. I am proud to say the I never once paid to go inside. you used to be able to park up road a little further on and then have a look at them. and well look at them some more. and then get back in and go off to a pub. all of our visitors seemed happy enough.

Best Stonehenge ever weather wise, beautiful sunrise!

I don't go into the stones too many freaks, fuckwits, and fucktards. I walk the ley line from Druids lodge with my Bergen and camp around the kings barrow under nothing more than shade, groundsheet and bivibag. Too many pilot cadets and paragliders buzzing about overhead,,,,,,but hey it's a celebration for everyone, I don't get imbroiled in the purity aspect, the world is big enough for us all,,,,,,although a tunnel to mask the sound of the traffic is long overdue.

The drums and celebrations can be heard from where I pitch, I did not bump into any cretins, which is always a result!!!

The scenery is stunning it's not just the stones, you have to take in the surroundings, the fields were of full of ox eyed daisies this year, the biggest I've ever seen, perhaps someone can read a portent in this?,,,,for me the whole summer solstice event, simply confirms how lucky we're to be British,,,,

scrat wrote:Best Stonehenge ever weather wise, beautiful sunrise!

I don't go into the stones too many freaks, fuckwits, and fucktards. I walk the ley line from Druids lodge with my Bergen and camp around the kings barrow under nothing more than shade, groundsheet and bivibag. Too many pilot cadets and paragliders buzzing about overhead,,,,,,but hey it's a celebration for everyone, I don't get imbroiled in the purity aspect, the world is big enough for us all,,,,,,although a tunnel to mask the sound of the traffic is long overdue.

The drums and celebrations can be heard from where I pitch, I did not bump into any cretins, which is always a result!!!

The scenery is stunning it's not just the stones, you have to take in the surroundings, the fields were of full of ox eyed daisies this year, the biggest I've ever seen, perhaps someone can read a portent in this?,,,,for me the whole summer solstice event, simply confirms how lucky we're to be British,,,,

If I had known you were there we could have had a coffee. (Unless of course you consider me a cretin   )
As for the surroundings - what about the poppies? And the Skylarks? And the wonderful incredible huge vast open sky?

Incidentally I will try and get the pictures up tomorrow - as I have had a rather unique day. Coming back from Stonehenge there was a massive fire in a scrapyard in my local town that I of course photographed - and I have had one accepted for use by ... not the local paper but the regional/semi national one - the Western Daily Press. Having got the pictures it was a rush home and get them processed and send them to the paper and they liked them (if I wasnt completely exhausted I would be bouncing off the walls)

sphinx wrote:

scrat wrote:Best Stonehenge ever weather wise, beautiful sunrise!

I don't go into the stones too many freaks, fuckwits, and fucktards. I walk the ley line from Druids lodge with my Bergen and camp around the kings barrow under nothing more than shade, groundsheet and bivibag. Too many pilot cadets and paragliders buzzing about overhead,,,,,,but hey it's a celebration for everyone, I don't get imbroiled in the purity aspect, the world is big enough for us all,,,,,,although a tunnel to mask the sound of the traffic is long overdue.

The drums and celebrations can be heard from where I pitch, I did not bump into any cretins, which is always a result!!!

The scenery is stunning it's not just the stones, you have to take in the surroundings, the fields were of full of ox eyed daisies this year, the biggest I've ever seen, perhaps someone can read a portent in this?,,,,for me the whole summer solstice event, simply confirms how lucky we're to be British,,,,

If I had known you were there we could have had a coffee.  (Unless of course you consider me a cretin   )
As for the surroundings - what about the poppies?  And the Skylarks?  And the wonderful incredible huge vast open sky?

You're not a cretin as far as I'm concerned, remind me next year.

I have often wondered if they sighted it here simply because of the sky, the winter solstice can be very bleak, but now and then you get a clear one and without the light pollution,,,,wow,,,,,most impressive when you consider Stonehenge in its entirety, the wildlife, the deer, hares, crows, pheasants, buzzards, skylarks, poppies, butterflies,,,,every year something catches the eye and this year it was definitely ox eyed daisies.

scrat wrote:

sphinx wrote:

If I had known you were there we could have had a coffee.  (Unless of course you consider me a cretin   )
As for the surroundings - what about the poppies?  And the Skylarks?  And the wonderful incredible huge vast open sky?

You're not a cretin as far as I'm concerned, remind me next year.

I have often wondered if they sighted it here simply because of the sky, the winter solstice can be very bleak, but now and then you get a clear one and without the light pollution,,,,wow,,,,,most impressive when you consider Stonehenge in its entirety, the wildlife, the deer, hares, crows, pheasants, buzzards, skylarks, poppies, butterflies,,,,every year something catches the eye and this year it was definitely ox eyed daisies.

It was poppies for me - all down the verges to the car park, and from the stones you could see a whole field the other side of the 303 probably a mile or 2 away that was just red with them.

Will try and remember to remind you next year - I will be going again because despite the idiots and cretins there is a fantastic atmosphere and its great just being out seeing the sky lighten and feeling connected to everything.

sphinx wrote:Incidentally I will try and get the pictures up tomorrow - as I have had a rather unique day.  Coming back from Stonehenge there was a massive fire in a scrapyard in my local town that I of course photographed - and I have had one accepted for use by ... not the local paper but the regional/semi national one - the Western Daily Press.  Having got the pictures it was a rush home and get them processed and send them to the paper and they liked them (if I wasnt completely exhausted I would be bouncing off the walls)

Yay Sphinx!
Well done Mrs  ::D:: 

The best bit is I was going to see if the local paper wanted them but I ran into their own photographer who said he had everything needed himself so I decided to try my luck with something bigger. I now feel extremely smug lol.

sphinx wrote:Incidentally I will try and get the pictures up tomorrow - as I have had a rather unique day.  Coming back from Stonehenge there was a massive fire in a scrapyard in my local town that I of course photographed - and I have had one accepted for use by ... not the local paper but the regional/semi national one - the Western Daily Press.  Having got the pictures it was a rush home and get them processed and send them to the paper and they liked them (if I wasnt completely exhausted I would be bouncing off the walls)

That's fantastic! Be sure to post a link if you get the chance, please.

OK, It's only  a baby stone circle compared to Stonehenge but to see a sunset or sunrise from Castlerigg stone circle is something to experience.  

sphinx wrote:Incidentally I will try and get the pictures up tomorrow - as I have had a rather unique day. Coming back from Stonehenge there was a massive fire in a scrapyard in my local town that I of course photographed - and I have had one accepted for use by ... not the local paper but the regional/semi national one - the Western Daily Press. Having got the pictures it was a rush home and get them processed and send them to the paper and they liked them (if I wasnt completely exhausted I would be bouncing off the walls)

well done sphinx.....that is because you are a great photographer.

Cass wrote:

sphinx wrote:Incidentally I will try and get the pictures up tomorrow - as I have had a rather unique day.  Coming back from Stonehenge there was a massive fire in a scrapyard in my local town that I of course photographed - and I have had one accepted for use by ... not the local paper but the regional/semi national one - the Western Daily Press.  Having got the pictures it was a rush home and get them processed and send them to the paper and they liked them (if I wasnt completely exhausted I would be bouncing off the walls)

well done sphinx.....that is because you are a great photographer.

Here, here.
Be sure to post them up.   

Jersey has several dolmen.
This is my favourite at Faldouet. My pagan friend that passed away last year got married here.

Yes well after posting on here yesterday my weekend took another twist. We saw an ambulance outside and as the street is either horribly nosy or wonderfully community minded we popped out to see what was what. One of the neighbours had had a nasty fall down the stairs, had a bad head wound and was in neck brace, head blocks the lot to go to hospital and she was very distressed, confused and frightened. I went over to see if she wanted her parents called and she grabbed my hand and begged me to stay with her - so despite being knackered I grabbed a bag and went. After scans showed there was nothing except the head wound the docs said she would be kept overnight for observation and it was too late for me to get home by public transport so the hospital gave me blanket and pillow and I spent a rather uncomfortable night in a chair next to my neighbour. She woke up fine and my OH came to pick us up - and I am now on well over 48 hours on 9 hours broken uncomfortable sleep lol.
I am working through my pictures but am slow cause of tired but promise they are coming although I seriously hope to spend tonight in my own bed!!

oh gosh your poor friend but toy did so right by going with her to give her comfort. hope she gets on the mend soon and YOU get some rest!

Well I know how scary it can be for a lot of people being taken to hospital and if my being there to hold their hand and talk nonsense helps then it is not a lot to give is it? Besides which when people are calmer they tend to feel better, then get sorted and discharged quicker.

However I have said if anyone else does themselves a mischief today someone else can go lol

sphinx wrote:Well I know how scary it can be for a lot of people being taken to hospital and if my being there to hold their hand and talk nonsense helps then it is not a lot to give is it? Besides which when people are calmer they tend to feel better, then get sorted and discharged quicker.

However I have said if anyone else does themselves a mischief today someone else can go lol

spot on...to both

btw wasn't meaning to denigrate you going to the solstice ....I have in the past stayed up all night to watch sun rise in a variety of different places in the world just that I suppose living next to something "reverted and awesome" makes it less special. I suppose a bit like living in a palace or castle - familiarity breeds contempt and all that - but a I think I could give a palace a shot

I think being quite close is why I never did it before - and I do like sunrise any time any place I can be awake.

I think it was a case of OK so it is close but it is something people come from around the world to do and its on my doorstep so might as well go and see what the fuss is about.

I think I just enjoyed being outside on the plain as much or more than the stones themselves - it is so beautiful up there and I guess you can understand why it was built where it was.

sphinx wrote:I think being quite close is why I never did it before - and I do like sunrise any time any place I can be awake.  

I think it was a case of OK so it is close but it is something people come from around the world to do and its on my doorstep so might as well go and see what the fuss is about.

I think I just enjoyed being outside on the plain as much or  more than the stones themselves - it is so beautiful up there and I guess you can understand why it was built where it was.

I think we are all the same, if its on our doorstep we don't bother.
Looking forward to the pictures Sphinx and hope your friend is ok x

She is fine apart from a rather nasty cut on her head - it could have been so much worse - broken limbs or back, brain bleed. Scary.

sphinx wrote:She is fine apart from a rather nasty cut on her head - it could have been so much worse - broken limbs or back, brain bleed.  Scary.

It is scary, falling down the stairs she could have broken her neck   

Nems wrote:

Jersey has several dolmen.
This is my favourite at Faldouet. My pagan friend that passed away last year got married here.

Good on ya Sphinx for being a nosy (good neighbour) I wish I could say it was the same where I live but .......... I've one neighbour (next-door) I don't know his name and he has only been living there for three years.     
As for the stones as Nems has alluded to  there are more atmospheric, older and outright weird than  Stonehenge.

sphinx wrote:Well I know how scary it can be for a lot of people being taken to hospital and if my being there to hold their hand and talk nonsense helps then it is not a lot to give is it?  Besides which when people are calmer they tend to feel better, then get sorted and discharged quicker.  

However I have said if anyone else does themselves a mischief today someone else can go lol

Sphinx I know how scared and distressed my mum was after her recent head trauma.
It's very lovely thing for you to have done xxx

sphinx wrote:If i did see Victor I did not know it was Victor if that makes sense

If you saw someone disguised as a hedge it was probably him

You would be surprised at how many different dress forms there were lol

sphinx wrote:Yes well after posting on here yesterday my weekend took another twist.  We saw an ambulance outside and as the street is either horribly nosy or wonderfully community minded we popped out to see what was what.  One of the neighbours had had a nasty fall down the stairs, had a bad head wound and was in neck brace, head blocks the lot to go to hospital and she was very distressed, confused and frightened.  I went over to see if she wanted her parents called and she grabbed my hand and begged me to stay with her - so despite being knackered I grabbed a bag and went.  After scans showed there was nothing except the head wound the docs said she would be kept overnight for observation and it was too late for me to get home by public transport so the hospital gave me blanket and pillow and I spent a rather uncomfortable night in a chair next to my neighbour.  She woke up fine and my OH came to pick us up - and I am now on well over 48 hours on 9 hours broken uncomfortable sleep lol.
I am working through my pictures but am slow cause of tired but promise they are coming although I seriously hope to spend tonight in my own bed!!

Glad she's ok Sphinx and hope you managed to get a good nights sleep x

feelthelove wrote:

sphinx wrote:Yes well after posting on here yesterday my weekend took another twist.  We saw an ambulance outside and as the street is either horribly nosy or wonderfully community minded we popped out to see what was what.  One of the neighbours had had a nasty fall down the stairs, had a bad head wound and was in neck brace, head blocks the lot to go to hospital and she was very distressed, confused and frightened.  I went over to see if she wanted her parents called and she grabbed my hand and begged me to stay with her - so despite being knackered I grabbed a bag and went.  After scans showed there was nothing except the head wound the docs said she would be kept overnight for observation and it was too late for me to get home by public transport so the hospital gave me blanket and pillow and I spent a rather uncomfortable night in a chair next to my neighbour.  She woke up fine and my OH came to pick us up - and I am now on well over 48 hours on 9 hours broken uncomfortable sleep lol.
I am working through my pictures but am slow cause of tired but promise they are coming although I seriously hope to spend tonight in my own bed!!

Glad she's ok Sphinx and hope you managed to get a good nights sleep x

Also looking forward to the pics when you get a chance! x

OK at last here they are - there are more on flickr (link in my signature) these are just a sample
First proper view of stones

Sunset

Dawn

Sunrise

Stone arch

And last but not least
The fire.....

Love the sunset and sunrise  photos  Sphinx.