Summer Solstice Fire, Germany

[Eurobabe]

Couldn't have asked for a better evening for the annual Sonnenwendefeuer (Summer Solstice Fire). It was in the 70s, until the sun went down, then the warmth of the fire was welcome. We had wurst and big mugs of beer, etc. until midnight, while watching the huge stack gradually burn. This fire was held in Marnbach, Bayern, but many towns celebrated last night as well. The celebrations continue next weekend. It's a really cool tradition, makes you feel like a part of Stonehenge crowd or something? Of course after the fire started, my camera battery died, and I wished I had taken my Canon 20D to get some tripod shots of the sparks and the flames which were spectacular. There's always next year. :D

Kids playing in the nearby fields.


Summer's full glory, Alps, looking south. June 21, 2008


Sunset 10pm


Massive bonfire.

[Blue_In_AK]

1. How lucky you were to have this beautiful weather.

Our summer solstice got rained out. :( It's pouring today.

[Eurobabe]

2. Oh, I hate it when that happens...

I think last year was a flop because of the weather and they had to reschedule. The past 3 days have been glorious, clear warm days, cool nights. Looks like they have changed the forecast again, warm and chance of thunderstorms through Friday.

That is good news because Friday 27th is 'Siebenschläfertag' -- the Bauernregeln (German Farmer's Almanac) says, that whatever the weather is on June 27th, we will have 7 weeks of that type of weather. Evidently this day is very significant day, kind of like Groundhog Day, but as a summer prognosticator.

[MissHoneychurch]

3. Cool

you seem to enjoy a lot more of German traditions than I do :rofl:

[Eurobabe]

5. I guess that is one thing I REALLY like about it here

I was pondering that while I waited for the fire to be lit. There are so many rich traditions here, it really appeals to me. :D

[Maestro]

4. Very cool!

My family and I were on the lower Texas coast celebrating the solstice. :)

[Eurobabe]

6. It was a gorgeous evening

I've never done that before, I will make sure to do it in the future, and bring warmer clothes! Once the sun went down, it got chilly. :scared: