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164. The
Winter Solstice 2025
The day began
with rain. By the time I had scraped myself off the bed
and dressed, the rain had stopped. The sky was a dull
pewter and smooth. There was no suggestion of more rain
to come for a few hours.
You could
stick the point of a compass into a map of Cardiff,
center it on my apartment, then draw a circle with a
radius of one and a half miles. You would see the
confines of my world, where I could happily live out my
life. I could be satisfied living without venturing
beyond that circle. It contains everything I could
possibly want. For that matter, I don’t have to bother
with putting on socks to meet all my needs, which can be
found in short trips within a block.
Yes, it
rains, but the rains are rarely heavy. And when it is
heavy rain, it is usually soon over. I just stand under
a ledge and wait for the downpour to dwindle to a
drizzle, then cross the street.
Enclosed
about me in that circle are sources for food and
entertainment. Because I am a lazy person by nature, I
must compel myself to travel further than the
aforementioned circle. Staying within that circle makes
for a life of routine.
It is the
Christmas season. There is a fair planted in Gorsedd
Gardens, the Cardiff Winter Wonderland. It includes a
small rollercoaster and other rides, a haunted house,
and an impressive Ferris wheel. The other half of the
Cardiff Winter Wonderland is contained in the compound
behind the walls of Cardiff Castle. On this particular
afternoon, to get to Bute Park, I walked through the
Cardiff Castle’s compound. Giant Christmas themed
figures were sprouting all about. A bundle of kiosks
were selling foods and treats. Suspended in the air was
the smell of sweet dough and grilled meats. There was a
small stage with a magician. The ice-skating rink had
grown tentacles allowing skaters to follow enclosed
paths outside the rink.
I strolled
through the castle’s compound and out the back gate,
over a bridge crossing the moat, and into Bute Park.
The holiday
theme continued inside the park. Christmas at Bute Park
is a festival of lights. Enclosed behind temporary
fencing are winding routes marked out with an assortment
of colored lights. Access to this walk-thru light show
is about £20, but that is when it is dark. I was there
in daylight, gates were open and it was free to explore.
In truth, I wasn’t that interested, preferring the
natural scenery to the trees augmented by colored
lights. It will all come down at the end of the month.
As will, a week later, Cardiff Winter Wonderland
withdraw from the castle and Gorsedd Park, to be packed
and stored until November of next year. It is a good
system for rebelling against the long nights of this
latitude and staving off the winter doldrums.
I had
concluded a stroll through Bute Park before the sun set
on the shortest day of the year, not that the sun was
visible that day in Cardiff. I had left the park and
noticed before the alarm went off in my phone that the
solstice was minutes away. I went into the Royal Welsh
College of Music and Drama. It was deserted, but there
was staff behind the counter cleaning and putting things
away. I ordered a glass of Prosecco, sat down, and at
three minutes after the hour, I toasted the arrival of
the solstice the moment it was happening. Was I
satisfying anyone but myself? Using the phone, I videoed
the toast and sent it to a few selected friends. Most
think I’m silly. They will use it to tease me. My gift.
From there it
was a short walk to Alexandra Gardens and my favorite
bench. It was occupied. I took possession of the next
one. I was not accustomed to viewing the angel inside
the war memorial from this angle. The angel seemed to
have only one wing. I took a few minutes to contemplate
existence and the day’s experience, making a few notes
in my pocket carnet. I also added notes
concerning a conversation I had with Thomas and Toby, two donkeys.
It was not a bad day. I was home before the rain started
again.
Mr Bentzman will continue to report here regularly about
the events and concerns of his life. If you've any
comments or suggestions, he would be pleased to hear from you.
You can find his
several books at www.Bentzman.com.
Enshrined
Inside Me, his second collection of
essays, is now available to purchase.
