Uphill Boatyard

Yesterday was the winter solstice.  The earth’s tilt points the north pole away from the sun.  So in Somerset this is the shortest day and the longest night of the year.

This year the moon has also got involved in this ritual dance as the solstice aligns with a full moon.  The bright moon has kept some of us awake at night.  But while some bemoan the lack of sun, this is also time to take advantage of long nights.  So today’s visit to Uphill is an opportunity to see the moon rise above the boatyard and Old Church of St Nicholas high on the hill.

Moon Seeker

I planned the visit while it was still light.  Using the Moon Seeker app on my iPhone I found a spot on the footpath to which I could return in the dark around 5pm.

Off to get warm for a while.

Back at 5pm

The boatyard was dark, sitting in the shadow of the hill.  Behind the church the glow of the moon was getting ready.

Cold Full Moon at Uphill – Somerset, UK. ID 827_7473

Its a full moon so the tide was high.  Better than looking at all that mud.

Cold Full Moon at Uphill – Somerset, UK. ID 827_7492

The moon appears over the top of the hill.

Cold Full Moon at Uphill – Somerset, UK. ID 827_7493

Unfortunately, while the sun, earth and moon dance in a predictable way the weather does not.  Just after this picture the moon disappeared behind a bank of cloud.

Cold Full Moon at Uphill – Somerset, UK. ID 827_7497

But even without the moon the boatyard was bathed in beautiful moon light mixed in with the lights of the village.

Cold Full Moon at Uphill – Somerset, UK. ID 827_7518

And Finally…

I had a go at taking some pictures with my iPhone 6s.  I discovered its not good in the dark!

Full moon at Uphill Boatyard

My son’s new OnePlus did a much better job.

Full moon at Uphill Boatyard