Today marks the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, and at Corner Cottage we are grateful that it marks the shortest day of the year. It’s cold, it’s overcast and dull, and the prospect of each day ahead being minutely longer is something to celebrate.

There are two (2) ways to deal with the sub-zero temps and dull, overcast days. The first is to adapt: you can still ride your bike, but you need to wear more layers, full-finger gloves and funny bootees over your toes to prevent wind chill.

You can still shoot photos, but maybe go in the panzerwagen instead of walking.

The second technique involves changing habits. Springing out of bed at 06:30 with a cheery cry is contra-indicated at this time of year: loitering beneath the covers and shuffling about in sleepwear until midday is much better. Making the most of the limited hours of daylight is critical: indoor stuff like work can wait until night descends, while walking, running, biking and photographing take up the limited hours when things can be seen.

And to be fair, freezing temps and short days can be considerably ameliorated by bright sunny skies, of which we have had a surfeit this year. I’ve banged on about the effects of two consecutive years of La Niña, which provided us with seemingly endless weeks of rain — now the pendulum has swung the other way and we have her drier and brighter brother, El Niño. This means limpid days of pearlescent sunshine, with a pre-dusk golden hour to die for.

It also means the paths and creeks that stayed flooded and stodgy all year round in 2021 and ’22 are currently better behaved. Later in the year we may have drought and wildfires, but for now, it’s great to have access to nooks and crannies of the landscape that have been off-limits for some time.

Now I’m not sure if it’s the ongoing recovery from the previous droughts and fires, or if wild things behave like this anyway, or whether I’m learning what to look for, but this winter there seem to be so many more interesting birds hanging out this year. Another compensation for those frosty nights.

Of course, traditionally the winter solstice has symbolised rebirth and rejuvenation. In the northern hemisphere, it’s no coincidence that Christmas and New Year — and the pagan rites that preceded them — happen close to the shortest day. Things are turning around now. There are still months to go, but technically, we’ve broken the back of winter, and that feels pretty good.