April 22, 2009

Catching Sunlight.

The season of the long, light evenings has started. On average, the days have gained almost eight hours of light since the winter solstice. This increase in light, plus the fact that April has now officially broken the "sunshine record", is the reason why all my solar lamps are suddenly alive.
I have a few of them scattered here and there around my terrace. Some are old, some are new. Some are simple lamps, some are decorative lanterns. They shine with warm, yellow light which is triggered by the twillight. Powered by solar energy, some of them can be alight for many hours.

My favourite is a lantern that I have placed on top of my coffee table in front of the house. It can be used with normal batteries in winter, when the sun is absent. In summer, the two rechargeable batteries that run on solar power keep it lit through out the night. Additionally, when the lamp is on, the emitting light flickers, simulating a candle; which is always a welcoming site for anyone that approaches my house at dusk, during spring and summer evenings.

12 comments:

Diane said...

Pretty! It doesn't feel very light-filled here yet... it still feels like winter some days. It's supposed to be nice this weekend, though, so maybe we'll finally break fully into spring :)

Claus said...

So pretty!! Hmm...maybe I should get some for my front and back patio. I have normal electric bulbs there, but these solar lamps are very charming!

Shelly's Style Shop said...

I have really missed reading your post! I am glad to be back to catch up.

I love lanterns. They are so pretty and a wonderful decoration. Happy Thursday!

xoxo, Shelly

Beverlydru said...

I love hearing about your side of the world. My husband and I were just talking about getting some of these solar lanterns for our yard. Lovely.

Mahmud Yussop said...

I've always wanted these solar lanterns. Over here they are a bit more expensive. We have so much sunlight here to fire the cells. Guess this will be in my 'Soon to get list'.

Taking Notes said...

I love your solar lamps - they are officially on my 'to buy' list! April has been particularly sunny here in the UK too - a trend I have noticed over the past few years - it feels like summer already!
The Danish summers must be wonderful - all those hours of white light ...
xx

Holly said...

Very serene and therapeutic! You sure are a LOVER of LIGHT!!! I think there must be something much more magical about your summers there than ours here. I would live the chance to come over there and find out just what it is. :):)

Betsy Brock said...

I think those are great! I want some! They look like lanterns with a candle inside! And how very 'green', too! :)

Melanie Gillispie said...

I have little solar powered lanterns flanking my sidwalk so it's not so dark, but mostly they're solar powered because I couldn't figure out how to run an electric line out there for electric lights. ;)

Zuzana said...

=Diane,
in theory it shouldn't feel too much like summer here either, but it has been a very unusually warm April, more like June. If it keeps up, it will break all time record in sunshine hours. The fact that it has been so sunny makes it feel also so much lighter, even though officially the white nights start first in 2 weeks.;))

=Claus,
I can warmly recommend it; they are so much fun and so beautiful too look at when they come on.;) And I am sure in your climate with plenty of sunshine the charging should be no problem.;)

=Shelly,
I have too missed your visits; so glad that you are back and that you had such a great week with your family.;)))
xoxo

=Beverlydru,
what a coincidence; I hope you do decide to get these.;) I really am so happy with mine. And the ones I have were very inexpensive, they are others much better quality and it so easy to install them without having to think about electric cords.;))

=Mahmud,
yes indeed, with that much light as you have, I am sure they will work so well.;) Mine are completely off in the winter and it so much fun to see when they start working again; another true sign of the imminent summer.;)

=Jeanne,
I am happy this has inspired you to purchase some solar lanterns.;)) Yes, here April has been VERY unusual. Exactly as you say, it feels like summer, it is amazing.;) And indeed, the white nights are something else.;)) Thank you for leaving such lovely comments every time.;)xoxo

=Holly,
so right you are, I do love light! And sunshine as well, I become a completely different person in the spring. I really can not stand the winters here.;))
You have a standing invitation anytime, you know that.;)) Batcat and I will be happy to have you.;) xo

=Betsy,
exactly, they are made that way, which I love. They do look like lanterns with a candle.;) And so true, they are "green", somewhat appropriate post for Earth Day, I thought.;)

=Mel,
hehe, you know, that was my problem too.;) I got the cheapest ones just to try it out, as I couldn't be bothered to run electricity from the house. And I am truly amazed how well they work, still after all these years.;)

Noelle Chantal said...

Wow, those solar power lanterns are just perfect, Protege! I've never heard of solar lanterns. This is a cool idea. Recharging during sunny day and glowing beautifully during night. :)

Zuzana said...

=Noelle,
the lanterns would be perfect in your climate where you have lots of sunshine all year around.;))