
As we near the winter solstice, one additional consideration we have to bear in mind when planning upcoming events is the quickly disappearing light. It begins to get dark before 4pm in the afternoon, and therefore most occasions require extra lights around the grounds. The solstice, of course, refers to the fact that we have a solar calendar, specifically the Gregorian calendar, instituted by Pope Gregory XIII and adopted by a number of Catholic countries in 1582. To complicate matters, Britain and other protestant countries continued with the Julian calendar, until they switched 200 years later in 1752, at which point they had to dispense with 11 days. Consequently, they went to bed on September 2nd 1752 and woke up the next morning on September 14th 1752. Time is magical isn’t it?
We still incorporate the Julian calendar (which dates from 45BC) by reference to the names of the months. My hens know nothing about either calendar but are laying very few eggs and the situation will not improve until we are on the other side of the winter solstice. There is no electricity by their run at the back of the old gardens, or by the horses, and so I need to ensure the outside chores are all achieved by twilight. We are lucky that, away from the light pollution of major towns and cities, it does become quite dark here at night.
Taking the dogs out late, I walk slowly along a flat path until my eyes start to adjust to the darkness. The dogs have no such problems and bound off to snuffle around the shrubs and trees. In the darkness I am more alert for sounds, an owl hooting or a bat sweeping by, and to the smell of a winter garden. Sometimes, there is a sense of many unknowns but then my mind settles and it is very beautiful and peaceful.
We are told we are polluting our world not merely with too many physical things, but also with light as it upsets our circadian rhythms. My father used to turn off the lights, so that money was not wasted, irrespective of whether I and my sisters would be in the room with the resultant cries of irritation. We have a similar argument in the Castle. I prefer to turn lights off better to show off a chandelier, but the guides like them on – I turn them off again and tell them to think of the Victorians, who would have settled in for Christmas with oil lamps and candles, fires in the grates and books from which to read stories.
In past years, we have had a few power cuts before Christmas due to high winds. We gather candles, torches and light the central Saloon fire, almost becoming Victorians ourselves. Stepping out of the pool of light to collect something from a bedroom, the Castle does suddenly seem dark and vast. Nothing of course works, because everything relies on an electrical input. One is forced to relax and, despite a different way of life, I wonder sometimes if the Victorians did not have more time.
I asked Eddie our keeper which time of year he most enjoyed living at Highclere – he replied (very flatteringly) that he enjoys every month and every day. I would agree with Eddie, but nevertheless there is something magical about these winter days in the run up to Christmas. We have released our Summer Public Opening tickets on the Castle website today, so I suppose there is a warm glow on the horizon too!
Lovely pictures, interesting story about the calendar change too. I didn’t know that thanks.
Thank you – I just find it fascinating – time was far less absolute in the past than today..
Lady Carnarvom
I so enjoyed reading ‘darkness’ however it brought to my mind memories of the power cuts in the 1970s, which as a child I thought were a warm, cosy and close family time. We had oil lamps and candles and my Mum would ensure a hot meal was ready before the power went off. Adults found the whole experience a huge bother but a child can find the joy in anything.
You always give us such wonderful blogs….facts….history….and that all important personal touch….much admiration from across The Pond!
Thank you!
Winter is supposed to be a season of rest, quiet, darkness, and renewal under the blanket of the cold. We humans alter our world and turn the seasons on their heads… I do wonder if I should do as you have done and turn off the lights occasionally, at least as an experiment to see what my 10-year old daughter would think! She’d run straight away for her flashlight… 😉
Have a lovely week, Lady Carnarvon. All the best from Summerville, South Carolina.
I do not think we give ourselves the time for renewal or to recover if we have been ill. You could always try some hurricane lamps or a couple of hours?!
Natalie,
What a great idea. We will turn off our lights for a weekend and live by candle and the fireplace. Fortunately the oven is run by gas!
Patrick
Beautifully written! I so enjoyed reading this! Thank you. 🙂
You are kind!
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THANK YOU, DEAR LADY FIONA CARNARVON.
Thank you! I do like warmth and sun but I like the clouds, the mists the change here so much!
What a beautiful picture of the Castle at night. I can remember the long winter nights when I lived in England. My mother changed our living room curtains in the winter to a heavier fabric to keep the draft out. We also had a curtain over the door. We sat in front of the fire,legs burning,our backs cold listening to the wireless.
I can imagine you walking the dogs in the eerie silence of the Castle grounds listening to the owls and other animals saying good night and all is well for another day..
Wishing every one at Highclere a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
A very happy Christmas to you – thank you
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
There is peace in the dim light, the darkness. I love your description of walking the dogs in the evening – the mind does settle, and as our eyes adjust, our other senses engage – the sounds, the smells, the feel of the crisp air. Highclere surely offers a great range of experiences in all seasons, but there is something quieting and comforting about winter. The animals slow their pace as we do. The Victorians may not have been fully aware of their gift of time, but we sure appreciate it! I love a power cut now and then, for it encourages, as I like to say, a chance to “step off the merry-go-round” and quiet down. Thank you for another beautifully written piece. Your insights and rememberings are just lovely to read! I wish you and your family a Happy Christmas filled with peace, joy, love and contentment.
Best regards,
Charlotte Cole
Thank you – Happy Christmas Charlotte
I love the photos of your home. This time of year with early darkness is irritating sometimes because chores have to get done even earlier. There is a certain something to losing daylight and incoming twilight that makes me want to cozy up inside with soup or cocoa. I love that feeling! Twilight time has a magical look and feel, I agree!
It is not easy to resist a little hot chocolate… we just need Downton Abbey to watch!
I imagine that Christmas at the Castle is magical!
It is – I think of it as a time to collapse and take time
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Firstly, seasons greetings to you and all followers of your Blog.
Secondly, as darkness encroaches on more hours of the day in the Northern Hemispgere, those of us who reside south of the equator are basking in extended days of glorious sunshine – apart from those who might be experiencing monsoonal showers or something similar.
In addition to your subject of “Darkness” conjuring – at least in me and undoubtedly in one or more fellow bloggers’ – one’s own involuntary memories and reflections of Paul Simon’s classical lyrics “Hello darkness, my old friend, I’ve come to talk with you again”, it also is apt to reflect on the final verse from ‘A Winter “ Prayer” by Edward Hays – as follows:
“In the heart of every person on this Earth
burns the spark of luminous goodness;
in no heart is there total darkness.
May we who have celebrated this winter solstice,
by our lives and service, by our prayers and love,
call forth from one another the light and the love
that is hidden in every heart.
Amen.”
Seasons greetings to all.
Fondest regards,
Jeffery Sewell
Thank you, Mr. Sewell, for this much-appreciated verse. It does cause me reflection on it’s words. Merry Christmas!
The pictures of the castle at night really show the details of the castle. Thank you. All the best during the Holidays.
I agree. There is something special about the darkness that forces us to rely on our other senses to get around. We occasionally experience times of being without electric due to downed trees; sometimes for days. One has to learn to think differently and get most things done before daylight goes to bed. Meal planning has to start in the morning in order for a decent meal to appear later that evening. Darkness allows more time for relaxing as a family, reading together, playing board games or just talking together. The kero stove takes the chill away and the grill fires up for dinner. Sometimes the basics are the best!
I always remember my mother planning the meals during the school holidays. There were so many of us, it was the practical approach, it is also more efficient to budget. There are so many unspoken memories from being with your mother which you later use and are invaluable.
Well done, Lady!
I very much like the idea of living Victorian, at least for short periods of time. I much prefer candlelight to any other. It is obvious to me that you have done quite a bit of reading because your writing style is so elegant. Thank you again for your insights!
Don Kubicki (USA)
I have always loved reading. If we did well at school my father would buy us a book, and he encouraged us to read widely.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Firstly, seasons greetings to you and all of your followers on this Blog.
Secondly, whereas the Northern Hemisphere is approaching the winter solstice and longer days of darkness, for us south of the equator this time of year generally provides extended days of brilliant sunlight, save for those experiencing extended monsoonal rains or something similar to what is currently occurring in Victoria.
The subject matter of your blog also instantly conjured in my mind reflections of Paul Simon’s timeless lyrics:
“Hello darkness my old friend,
I’ve come to talk with you again.”
But maybe more appropriate (& in keeping with the content of your blog)are the words of Edmund Hays in his ‘ A Winter Solstice Prayer’, the final verse of which reads as follows:
“In the heart of every person on this Earth
burns the spark of luminous goodness;
in no heart is there total darkness.
May we who have celebrated this winter solstice,
by our lives and service, by our prayers and love,
call forth from one another the light and the love
that is hidden in every heart.
Amen.”
Merry Christmas to all.
With fondest regards,
Jeffery Sewell
I had that song in my head reading this, too, Jeffery, “Hello darkness, my old friend,” yet the song always makes me feel melancholy so I don’t love it. I love the verse you shared, as a more apt replacement here. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing the verses. The minute I published the blog I started humming “Hello darkness, my old friend..”
Dear Lady Carnarvon and co-bloggers,
Please forgive my above repetition/ duplication of responses.
As my first response did not appear for some time on the website I thought I had done something wrong and hence I sent a second almost identical response.
No matter.
Wishing you all the very best of wishes at this festive time of year.
Regards,
Jeffery Sewell
I still have a few issues getting comments through.. and my own! We keeping trying to get it right.
I, too, feel dismay from the light pollution of our night skies. I live in a mainly rural area, and can still see the milky way on a clear night, but not as well as in the past.
Do you have a lot of outdoor lighting around the castle itself?
Sometimes I feel that the ‘old ways’ were actually better ways….more in tune with the planet we all call home.
Have a wonderful Christmas season.
All my best to you..
We do have floodlights but only put them for an evening event. There are other lights but again it depends if there is an event and if just us, I turn on as little as possible
Such interesting information on Winter Solstice! I am quite sure Highclere Castle looks lovely in any light! Ironically I have lighted electric candles on my Dining Room table, I shut off all other lights nearby because I love the soft glow that fills the room. Happy Holidays to you and your family!
That is a lovely thing to do and I have learnt that whenever I do a cottage up, I take time to think about what and where to out lights….atmosphere and practicality and thus a good home to rent ..
Thank you for your time and lovely perception of living in the Castle and experiencing all you do. For me, living in LA, a totally different experience – and I jealously dream of the darkness you speak about. Merry Christmas to you and your lovely environment.
Thank you and a happy (sunny!) Christmas to you!
What a lovely blog entry! I enjoyed the story about the calendars. I didn’t know that. I imagine I would also enjoy every day of every month too! Have a great week!
It was a good reminder to me by Eddie!
I didn’t know about that date change either… At my age, I’m sure I’ve read something about it before, but the way you explained it, maybe it will stick. 🙂 Interesting! I loved reading about your late-night walks and the joy of the hounds in the same. I’m with you on the light pollution (and would add, noise pollution!). As usual, I love reading your blog posts, and thank you for sharing these slices of life so eloquently with us.
Thank you although everyone here said my photo of the dogs was “interesting”….actually it was so dark that I could see nothing through the camera, so I was quite impressed!!!!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thank-you for this beautiful reminder of the value of darkness during this season of Advent. Personally, I love candles and the quiet that dim lighting brings. A deeper listening to both exterior sounds and interior thoughts can be very grounding. I write this while sitting at the beach in very bright and warm Southern California morning sun. Your post was a welcome retreat to another world and reminder of some of the beauty of Victorian times, my favorite age.
Blessed Christmas to all,
Kate Muldoon
Thank you. We have just been putting up the Christmas tree today – and begun decorating – a bit of a mad day!!
Thank you – I have spent a few days in California and so enjoyed it
I’d love to see pictures of your Christmas tree….I could gain some inspiration for mine 🙂
Dear Lady C,
I so enjoy your blog. It makes my day. You are so interesting and refreshing and I love hearing all the news from Highclere. I know it is beautiful there this time of year. We were there at the castle in August. The highlight of our UK trip.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Jane Tesch
Houston, Texas
Thank you – I think we are rather lucky that Highclere is easy to reach from airports or London and can thus welcome you on your travels. Thank you for coming here!
What beautiful photos of Highclere in the night…and the stream of light across the sky! The dogs seem to know their way around without any adjustment to darkness and it will be the New Year of the Dog, 2018, so we have to treat them well. A very interesting blog about time and light and darkness, I love “The Sound of Silence” and memories of my college years in Chicago, and REAL winters there. Sending you, and all here at the blog, some Greek sunshine and warmth, though the days are short and darkness comes by 5 pm. That’s why we string the lights out on our balconies,
light the candles, and watch as the Super Full Moon comes up over the mountain. Have fun decorating the tree and best wishes for a most Happy Holiday Season!
It sounds very beautiful and again we are gathering here on Sunday December 10th (for Oxfam) to remember those who are in refugee camps this Christmas.
A very Happy Christmas to all at Highclere. I have enjoyed your last two blogs very much!
I do hope this message gets through to you
It has and thank you! Very kind ..
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
This is a beautiful description of the twilight & early darkness which come to us this time of year.
I’m in Tennessee in America and it is getting dark earlier each day here.
I love the Victorian age, as well so I love the descriptions you use of walking the dogs, hearing the owls. I live in the woods by a lake so we have all sorts of wildlife noises including owls at night.
We always listen for them.
Highclere is beautiful in the picture. We hope to visit there in the next couple of years. Perhaps we will.
Merry Christmas and I hope your holiday season is extremely happy!
Let me know if you make a plan!
I love winter, too, having grown up in the north (New England) of our country. I now live in the mid-south region and we do not get the dramatic swings as much. I rather miss that, though it is nice to have some daylight when needing to venture forth on an errand early in the morning or late afternoon. I just loved watching the Super Full Moon here last evening though, and we are fortunate to not have too much artificial light around us, so we can see the moon and stars. I did not know that about the switch in calendars and losing days! It is amazing how animals have the built in instinct for the changes in the seasons. We are all, animals and humans, fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator. Thank you so much for your blog. Your entries are all so interesting.
I agree – but we are very human and get it wrong between ourselves and it seems we get it wrong for our utterly beautiful planet.
Let there be light! I appreciate electricity and when it is down because of storms, I feel like I can’t do anything but go to bed. Your owls are waiting on the opportunity to catch one of your chickens. I do love owls though. I hate that most of the U.S. states use daylight savings time and make us change our clocks on spring forward and fall back. At least we weren’t aware of a 12 day nap. Merry Christmas to your family and friends
Stella
Owls are extraordinary creatures, and even if silent you know they are there! My chickens are tucked up inside and I hope too big for an owl!
Magnificent and inspirational night scenes of Highclere. I’ve been watching the website for tickets to come available, and today we bought our tickets for the Summer Opening. We will arrive on 22 July 2018 for our third visit to Highclere Castle from California. Joy!
Wonderful – I hope I am around – please stay in touch
I love the early darkness of winter. A fire and lamps sounds so cozy and peaceful.
Polls of light form lamps although sadly I need glasses to read now!
I am with you Lady Carnarvon, candle light… roaring fireplace…..but then I have to bed and I do not have a Ladies Maid who laid out my nightdress and made sure the fireplace was lit…….these big houses can become a bit spooky in the dark……I would have a dog …..plus a loving husband in bed….<3
Lots of dogs!!!
Thank you for the reminder of the beauties of darkness. I like looking at the night sky, but even though we don’t live in a city, we still have to block out streetlights to really see the stars properly.
When England changed to the Gregorian calendar the colonies changed, too. I work with a local (New London, CT) diary (Diary of Joshua Hempstead 1711-1758), and Hempstead’s comments on the date change were effusive, for him:
Thursd 14 [Sept.] fair & Such a Day as wee Never had before (by act of Parliament to bring old Stile into New Stile 11 Days is taken out of this Month in this place & then the time to go on As heretofore.
He never said a word about it beforehand.
That is amazing!
Beautiful post! And beautiful pictures. We loved our visit this past May. Can’t wait to come back for a visit.
Peacefulness and time for contemplation. Lovely photos and words…..
Thank you~
Dear Lady Carnarvon
Thank you for painting the beauty of Darkness so well in words.
I am planning for my first visit to England next may. I Will stay in a beautiful hotel in London, and from there I will visit various parts of England, and amongst those are Highclere Castle.
I am half Swedish, brought up in the very far north of Sweden, and half Scottish with relatives I,ve not yet met.
Being a trained nurse within The Red Cross Union I will also concider applying for a job in England.
Thank you again for your calming and beautifullly written blog.
/M. Lillie
I hope you will come and see us!
Beautiful pictures and a very interesting posting about the winter solstice. There is something magical about this time of the year. Winter is the best time to for star gazing, but were I live there is too much light pollution. My friend who lives in the country has a monthly star party. It is a great way for friends to gather and enjoy the winter night sky. Lady Carnation I so enjoy you blog and look forward to your email notifications. Even though I live in Pennsylvania, it seems High cere is never far away. Happy Christmas to you and your family
Happy Christmas
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
What a joy to have such Wonderful photographs! I always love taking pictures at sunset, but you have done a superb job of capturing the night light, and colors, beautifully! I can imagine the ‘shut-down’ mode you speak of, a fire in the fireplace, candles glowing, and no electricity. We were without electricity for almost 2 weeks several years ago because of an ice storm. It put our family more ‘in touch’ in many ways. (Although the cooking began to get a bit hard, esp. when trying to keep three boys fed, but we survived !)
Thank you again for sharing. I think I now have a NEW favorite photo of
Highclere. (!)
Warmest Regards
I love the top photo – I used it in my book – I just though magic – how lovely to share!
I imagine the castle is extremely romantic this time of year only having rooms lit by small lamps and the fireplace. How perfect that sounds!
There is something rather comforting about being tucked up in our warm, well lit and cheery homes this time of year.
Horse all done and in a stable lay, eating a carrot and lots of hay.
Dogs flaked out on fireside rug, hot chocolate filling my favourite mug.
Sparing a thought for those men and beasts that may not be so lucky to have warmth and feasts.
Good Will and Merry Christmas to you all at Highclere Castle.
It is comforting – I so agree
Wonderful views. Endearing, almost without lights. I think it’s a lovely place and of course at Christmas, it feels like that fireplace heat. I am from Spain and here it is also cold, but the sight of that landscape, those gardens that remember times of yesteryear, seems to me like a fairy tale. I like to read your blog. A greeting from a corner of Zaragoza (Spain). (I’ve done it with a translator, I hope it’s understood.)
It is very good English, thank you – I imagine we look at similar stars.
Wonderful blog. I got a real feeling for what it must be like at Highclere in winter. I’m not a summer person at all so I love the autumn and winter. It must be so quiet and peaceful there and you must get a fantastic view of the sky with so little light pollution. Have you ever seen the International Space Station fly over? It’s so bright that I’m able to see it in NYC. Highclere must be especially beautiful when it’s decorated for Christmas. Wishing you and Lord Carnarvon all the best for a Happy Christmas and a happy and healthy 2018.
Thank you – I find I pick out the constellations, it is such a strong link to the past in every way
Know what you mean about dog walking in the dark although I do it often in woodland on a not very flat path but your eyes do adjust to it but not as quick as the dog’s
Flat shoes are the answer too.. but it is trusting yourself to sense the way, different to office life!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I was enchanted with this blog about Highclere in the winter time. I had no idea it would get so dark by 4:00 in the afternoon. Where I live it gets dark about 5:30. I was interested that you sometimes would like to dim the lights to show off a chandelier. The image popped into my head of The Dowager Countess (the FABULOUS Dame Maggie Smith) saying she could never live with electricity. All those vapors!!! I’m smiling to think how dependant we all are on electricity today. I’m sure many people shared the Dowager Countess’ opinion in 1914 or so! I’m sure you do not share this trepidation Lady Carnarvon! You are merely doing what you do best, making Highclere shine!
Kind Regards,
Ann Catherine Flood
It was fun to see Maggie Smith squinting at the chandelier!!!
Lady Carnarvon:
After having read your blog and the comments I thought up a title for your next coffee table book:
“Highclere for all Seasons”– pictorial of the castle and its’ environment through the four seasons of the year.
Thanks again for your lovely blog.
Merry Christmas.
Bev.
I agree, and I have already started in that direction..
Der Lady Carnarvon,
Lovely pictures. We visited this summer and we past by the small pavillion on the second picture as we drove out of your estate and wondered what it was?
It is called the Temple of Diana and was originally built in the 18th century. It was extended in height by the architect Sir Charles Barry as part of his commission from my husbands’s great great great grandfather! My husband has over the years restored the cupola and stonework
My favorite time of the year when the world is calmer, quieter, slower. Nice to know others see the beauty and feel the comfort that a dimly lit world can offer all in its time.
A wonderful post! We here in Naples, FL, are looking forward to a weekend of cold rain and several fewer minutes of light as we approach the Solstice, either 12/21 or 12/22. Everything being relative, however, cold here in SW Florida means lows in the 40’s and daytime highs in the 60’s.
I always learn something new in every new BLOG post. Thanks for your contribution to my knowledge base.
Thank you for reading and commmenting
I look forward to finding your blog in my email. It’s such a special gift to read…facts, history and always a personal touch. Thank you so much for sharing. We too get dark around here by 4-4:30, depending on a cloudy day or not. My son and I watched a movie a couple of years ago about President Lincoln. They filmed it in the same lighting that Lincoln lived in for the times. It was interesting to see just how dark a room/house can be. We very much take for granted electricity. But then again, without it I couldn’t be “talking” with you.
Have a wonderful evening.
Thank you again for sharing. Love the pictures, always !!
Thank you !!
Your comment about the Lincoln movie reminds me of movies of Jane Austen books. Some show bright lighting. Others, more accurately, show rooms dimly lit by candles.
I love reading your blog and admire your connection to the rhythm of seasons. You have awakened kindred spirits all over the world! We all feel your devotion to that magical manor. Have a wonderful Christmas! Christina
Thank you – you too
Christmas is a wonderful time of year. I find that although it is dark outside there is more light within and to be shared. I am lucky enough to be able to perform at Highclere at Christmas. I spent yesterday in the embrace of this beautiful home, looked after by the kind and friendy staff. I even had the opportunity to meet with Lady Carnarvon. An inspiring lady who always makes our singing group feel so welcome. Thank you for inviting the Ashley Holt Singers into your home so that we may share our Christmas music with your guests. Wishing you a much light throughout the Christmas period.
Thank you for coming here and singing! I cannot remember how long you have supported us at Christmas but it feels like yesterday and you all looked no older!!!! The Saloon has such lovely acoustics.
I love the pictures.
This post reminds me of an article I read (it’s on BBC.com) about sleep patterns before we had electricity.
People used to go to bed early and sleep for about 4 hours. They would then read (by candlelight) meditate, socialize, etc, for a few hours, then sleep for another 4 hours or so.
They have reproduced the pattern by removing artificial lighting.
Have a happy Christmas!
Marvelous photos and fascinating text! You do have a gift for bringing the reader into the situation.