Sunday, July 5, 2009

To Lothlòrien 2 - Jaanipäev

St John's Day, Mid Summer, Summer Solstice, or up here in Estonia - Jaanipäev, which as I'm sure you all have guessed means, John's Day and the longest day of the year . This far north, that's a lotta light, 18 hours & 17 minutes, although not as much as further north in Finland. My grandmother who wasn't given to hyperbole insists that as a child she could read outdoors at midnight without a candle.

First the STATS
Walked or cycled: 36 miles
Total for this leg: 73 miles
Total covered: 531 this year
To go: 389

In relation to Fellowship:
Paths are few and winding; after reaching the top of a rise, we angle southeast.

So what do Islanders get up to on Jaanipäev?

Well first we go to a bonfire. This is us on the way .

Then you need a bonfire,






and dancing.

lot's of dancing




















- and music, preferably traditional - 3 mature ladies playing the 'cordeen, fiddle and kandele are about as traditional as it gets.


- and you have to stay late enough for the sky to be lightening as you roll home.


Hope you're all having a wonderful summer!