This would be the winter solstice if we were in Sioux Lookout. However time zones being what they are the solstice occurs in Greenwich at 03:27 on December 22 this year and therefore in Cyprus at 05:27. The term solstice is from the Latin meaning sun standing still - usually referring to the whole day but applying literally to the moment when the sun appears, from the point of view of earth, to stand still before moving closer to the [in this case northern] hemisphere.
Not very wintry by our standards. Temperature in high teens but quite windy. We’re looking down on a Mediterranean with fairly big whitecaps and a sky too clouded to allow us to see Türkiye on the north shore. Decide to go down to our supermarket before promised rain begins. Out of oranges and mushrooms. Suspect that the employees think we’re heavier drinkers than we are. Buy sheep’s yoghurt on every trip, and bread and onions and peppers pretty regularly, but also a bottle of Italian Merlot each time we go. It’s been on sale for 99tl (€3.09, $4.53 CAD, £2.67) apparently as they try to reduce stock. It’s quite drinkable and the sale won’t last forever, so we’re slowly transferring the stock to our cupboard.
Rain doesn’t start until late afternoon but is accompanied by thunder and lightning, as predicted and we have an excellent view as we listen to Polish Christmas carols courtesy of Spotify.