Winter Solstice

The sun is low in the winter time. So low, it hardly shines onto our home. There are a couple of high rises on Northern side of the road, which got the sunny spot. Strangely, in the summer, when we don't really need the heat of the sun, that yellow bastard is strong enough to go up high into the sky. The highrises across the road become really small, and our little home gets baked under the black roof tiles... Our home is South facing, so in the winter, without the sun, it feels a bit like in a cave. Dark enough to fall depressive, unless we actively do something about it. Anh-Dao has made it a habit to got to Yoga at 5 o'clock in the morning, three times a week. Since a few weeks, I have been joining her. It's a great start into the day. Especially because the yoga room is heated to 38 degrees C.

Whenever the sun comes out, we are excited to pack our stuff and go to a nearby park or to the beach. Strolls in the winter sun are great, you don't get sunburnt, you feel nice and warm, not too hot, everything around you looks beautiful. In fact, we've had many more such days here in Perth than in Sydney during the winter. The weather is truly mild and fantastic here. The odd little storm and rain doesn't matter.

Every 21st of June is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. This is also the most important annual school event for the Chrysalis Montessori School, where Oceane and Laetitia have gone to do their little jobs every morning. The celebrations were kind of a mix of carnival, christmas, earth day and kids day all at once. It was great how all the teachers, kids and parents contributed to a colourful party. This shortest day of the year has become a very memorable highlight for us all!