Winter Solstice in Tasmania
Scott asked for it – so here it is.
Today (or maybe tomorrow depending on offical Astronomical reckoning) is the Winter Solstice. The weather has recently returned to being around 0°C overnight and 10-12°C during the day and sunny once the early morning fog goes. So today the sun is out and there is no wind so cycling conditions are excellent. I thought I would take the Greenspeed around the shortest loop out of Longford – approx 16 kilometers – and get some pictures.
This is a standard winter scene – leafless hawthorn hedges and views across to the Western Tiers which have cloud forming all over them. The Norfolk Plains is a farming area which was developed in the 1800s using the old UK style of things. The driveways to the farmhouses were often planted with exotic trees from Europe and many of these still exist. An example can be seen in the featured image and at the winter Solstice these trees have no leaves. Originally Poplars were used as wind breaks but these seem to be disappearing – getting too old now.
Clouds over the Tiers
When the sun is not shining and a cool breeze is blowing the above view across to the Tiers is not quite so pleasing! There is a railway track in the foreground and as I took the 4 pictures to create the panorama I could hear it’s hooter blaring away as it approached various road crossings.
Today being outside felt like standing under one of those bathroom heat lamps – you know the ones that heat you and not the air around you. This is exactly what the sun feels like in a Tassie winter. If it is not windy then the sun comes straight through and hits you and feels quite warm – but the air around you feels cold. If it’s windy well that’s another story!
That’s it for now.
7 response to "Winter Solstice in Tasmania"
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Great photos, Tony. Glad you could get out to enjoy the day. It does look cold over the Tiers, though! You are very right about the way the sun warms you but not the air around in winter. Weather forecast is looking good for the weekend and right into next week, so hopefully I can put down some kms. You could strike it lucky with weather in July in VIC this year if the dry trend continues. They are now saying a 50 percent chance of an El Nino in spring. This is good – because if I have any chance at all of getting anywhere close to my riding goal this year, I’m going to need lots and lots of good weather right through 31 December!
Thanks Emily. I probably won’t get much riding in next week but intend getting out and about in Vic and NSW so have my fingers crossed the rain holds off. Farmers won’t be happy but I will be.
Nice day for a ride, and wintertime photos — it would be great to have such a winter solstice here.
Hi Rich. Yes, the days are great at the moment for the 2 hours before and after noon. Little wind, sun and very clear skies cancel out the short days and cold starts.
I love the cloud above the mountain shot…very pretty place you live!
Hi Janet, Yes, the Norfolk Plains is a good place for cycling and photography. Light traffic, great views and reasonable road surfaces.
No doubt Tassie is a beautiful place, but 10 degree maximums sounds a bit extreme. Been there 3 times but all around late spring or early autumn. I’m just soft I suppose