Avebury Summer Solstice 2023 

Thanks Lilith!

Thanks Howard! I always feel a bit self conscious filming when I'm at Avebury for a solstice or equinox and I completely get that people don't want it to turn into a social media spectacle where everyone is staring into their phones rather than being "in the moment"... But that said there is something really special about being able to relive it afterwards from all these different perspectives - including your video!

Thanks Sally-Ann, and sorry to hear you're feeling under the weather. I just looked up Mitchells Fold and it looks great! I must visit at some point.

Thanks Steve! Yes I probably only slept for about 3 hours but I don't recall any of the usual difficulty I have getting to sleep when camping.

I similarly thought cider would make sense as the first booze in the British Isles but I was surprised to learn malus domestica was brought to us by the Romans. Very hard to believe there was no alcohol here prior to that!

@@tweedyoutdoors crab apples were here.

It's a shame you couldn't make it this year, it was a nice one! Happy solstice Cara!

Thanks Sean! It was lovely that Steve and Sue came and said hello but also a slightly surreal experience! Apart from the comments RU-vid is a bit one sided so it's a bit strange meeting somebody who knows a few things about you but you don't know anything about them. Anyway it took me a bit by surprise but I'll be better prepared next time!

Thanks Paul! As I mentioned in the video, there was a time earlier that day when I was thinking I couldn't be bothered! I think I possibly lost my mojo a bit after that recent trip to the South Downs, but thankfully I got over it and got to Avebury in the end... and I'm very glad I did, it was a really nice solstice!

Good to meet you too! I'll go and check out your channel...

It was good to meet you too Rich!

Happy Solstice Jamie! I had a great time but it sounds like your solstice may have been even more fun! I think it is high time I did a wild camp on a beach...

@@tweedyoutdoors Next time you're in the Pacific Northwest send me a message, I'll show you some awesome beach camping spots! 🎩😊👍🌊🔥

@@jamierobinson3349 It's probably a bit unlikely I'll end up in that part of the world now unfortunately! It's a shame about the timing, I used to go to Seattle for work now and again nearly 20 years ago and I had no idea how to fill the time back then (I wasn't quite as outdoorsy then). Youth is wasted on the young etc!

Oh no, that's crazy! Maybe next year? I can imagine some people who are more into the spiritual side of it deliberately stay away, because it can end up a bit like a music festival (albeit without any music, apart from the drummers). I've also read some people are a bit put off by all the people drinking, which (although I'm obviously part of that problem!) I do understand if the event has a higher meaning for you. It has at least completely avoided being commercialised - there's no entry fee, no hot dog stands etc, and really very little in terms of crowd control - just a few police and security guards on stand-by just in case. I've been for a couple of equinoxes there, and the winter solstice, and they're much more low key events, just attended by the devoted.

​@@tweedyoutdoors It is a bit bonkers! We've marked it in the diary, it's a must! Personally I do love that "party" atmosphere, the music and the people, I'd be one of those annoying people spinning fire and such and definitely partaking in a little drinking and merrimeant! After seeing your video it made my Mum and I yearn for it very much, we felt very nostalgic! Yes are so right there, a bit like the feel at Stonehenge but on a smaller scale. I know a few who feel that way, especially about the drinking and "riff-raff", probably preferring quieter events for those who are there with purpose to enjoy on a deeper spiritual level. I'm so grateful it has not been commercialised and do hope it stays that way! Could you imagine! Once again I've somehow missed the winter solstices too so I'd love to get my arse into gear and actually get there. Thanks for giving us a little drive to do so, keep up the good work as always!

Later, later, softly....😉 Sorry for my Desolate English... Wishes a magic Solstice Days!From Suisse!🇨🇭🌞🙋‍♀️

🤣 My wife (a natural pessimist) said the same thing! It takes a fair while before you really notice it though, still plenty of long summer nights ahead of us!

@@tweedyoutdoors Anyway.... I wish a beautiful Summer and Outdoor Time. Sorry for my Desolate English Okay?😉

I didn't capture it on camera but I had a surreal moment at the end getting on the bus back to Swindon with a bunch of druids, Wiccans and other weird and wonderful characters!

This has been on my mind since the solstice too! Maybe the subject of a future video?

​@@tweedyoutdoorsGood Idea!👍

Thanks Bruce and Otis! Yes it was a good turn out, and a nice atmosphere this year, although, as always, a bit sad when it's all over.

Yes I agree it was a good one! Thanks for watching.

Thanks Stuart! Maybe the music was overdoing it a bit but as I mentioned in the video it did feel a bit sad at the end!

Happy Solstice Alan! Cheshire is really not an area I know well at all, I have only ever passed through en route to North Wales, but I feel I am probably missing out on quite a few interesting places and this should be corrected at some point!

Thanks Dave, and Happy Solstice!

Good grief you must have a very severe nosebleed if you're that far south! Were you on the Wiltshire stretch? Really not far from Avebury!

@@tweedyoutdoors fortunately I took some anti-nosebleed tablets! We parked at the foot of Walkers Hill and climbed up to look at Adam’s Grave, before walking round to join and follow a fine stretch of Wansdyke. Return was via Knapp Hill with its Neolithic causewayed enclosure and burnt out Romano British settlement. It was smashing and first time for probably 10 years - very much inspired by yours and Allotment Fox’s videos. I also deliberately left the cameras behind, as I just wanted to experience a walk the old school way!

Thanks for the very kind words, although I worry a bit now I was sticking out like a sore thumb at Avebury! I've subscribed to your channel, it's always nice to discover another outdoorsy channel from someone who has a similar interest in solstices etc.

@@tweedyoutdoors Haha I liked the way you were sticking out - very dapper! Thank you very much for the sub. I will also look forward to following your adventures on here 🌳🍃