Solstice Events

About a mile down the promenade from Brighton Pier, people congregate and gaze out over the silent beach towards the calm silhouette of a wicker king. They throng in the gathering darkness of the year's longest night, kids and adults jostling and stretching to get the best view. Except for their shuffling and whispering all you can here is the wind, and the slow ominous tattoo of the single drum.

Possibly the most astounding piece of Pharaonic Egyptian architecture, Abu Simbel was built by Ramses II, the most prolific pharaoh in terms of building works, and no mean military commander either.

Me, I haven't rebounded on Earth since the Stones. Not yet. I'm a day back and my head is still somewhere on that wind, rain and mist-filled Plain of Salisbury. The Y2K solstice party seemed to be full of good vibes.