I Love the Winter Too.

In bygone days the winter solstice conjured up all sorts of wild myths and beliefs among the Celtic peoples of Britain and other peoples throughout Europe. In the northern parts of Europe, there were vast forests with remote places. The isolated groups that lived in such areas were susceptible to all sorts of suspicions and loved to listen to tales told by wandering bards or other such story tellers.

The surrounding Ecosystems of their realm were hosts to many types of beliefs and the seasons often changed the dweller's concept of the forest areas in magical and mystical ways. Winter being viewed in a completely different way to summer. Each season was celebrated and each solstice was too.

The solstice is celebrated in Britain and has been for thousands of years. There are suspected religious festivals and various stone rings aligned to celebrate such things. We have a summer and winter solstice across the planet and the solstice is opposite either side of the Earth's equator.

Therefore, when Britain, a northern hemisphere country, celebrates its winter solstice on the 21st of December, a southern hemisphere country like Australia will celebrate its summer solstice.

Giving Readers Titus Groan - Epic Fantasy story (Mervyn Peake)

I loved this story set in a fantasy world, almost like a prehistoric England trapped in a vast crumbling castle of nooks and crannies, where everyone has minor functions to serve the household of the vast Castle estate of Gormanghast. We have Steerpike, our conniving and wretched youngster who learns how to immerse himself into the fabric of the castle's day to day running, gate crashing into the time held and futile traditions of the decadent society. Flay the head servant to the Earl and Countess of Groan, Swelter the repulsive bully and head cook of the castle. This is the first book of a trilogy and it is a glorious read. The second book called; Gormanghast is equally as gripping. However, Titus alone was very difficult in my humble opinion, The consolation for me is; each of the first two books stand alone and make a wonderful story. The first book of Titus Groan has an splendid and very atmospheric climax as Mister Flay and the castle's head butcher, (Mister Swelter) have a duel amid the crumpling ruins during a stormy downpour. The mind's eye can see the confrontation in all its Gothic glory.