More than 20,000 people gathered at Stonehenge and Avebury in Wiltshire on Saturday morning to witness the sunrise at 4:25 am on the longest day of the year, English Heritage reported. Visitors, some adorned with flower headdresses, touched the ancient stones and cheered as the sun emerged over the misty horizon.
Merlin and His Father Join the Celebration
Among the crowd was a man dressed as the 'real Merlin' in a full wizard outfit, accompanied by his father. The father explained, 'This is the son of Merlin. It's his birthday today, but this is why we've come to celebrate.' He added, 'It's my son's birthday, son of Merlin, and it's the solstice. Yes, that's a really magical time for me as a father. And the sun. And that son, so I've got two sons, really. This one, this one.'
Describing the experience, he said, 'And it's powerful stuff. We come here, and we pick up vibrations from the cosmos. I've been 40 times here. In the rain, in the fog, you know, no sunrise, but the vibrations are still here. The stones themselves have been concreted, which stops a lot of energy coming up. But it's still there, it's still powerful on the ley lines.'
UK Braces for Record-Breaking Heatwave
The solstice festivities come just days before a forecasted heatwave. The Met Office predicted temperatures could peak at around 35°C on Tuesday and Wednesday, prompting weather warnings, health alerts, and concerns for vulnerable people. Forecasters said there is 'growing confidence' that this week could break the record for the hottest June temperature of 35.6°C, set in 1976 in Southampton.
In France, highs of 40°C are expected on Sunday, with Monday likely even hotter. Emergency services and military forces have been placed on wildfire alert, and French authorities have imposed public alcohol consumption restrictions and cancelled some outdoor sporting events.
Temperature Forecasts and Health Warnings
On Saturday, highs of 31°C were forecast in London, 27°C in Cardiff, and 21°C in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Monday is expected to be 'cloudier overall' with temperatures up to 32°C, and humidity is forecast to rise throughout the week.
An amber extreme heat warning has been issued by the Met Office for Monday and Tuesday for most of southern England, south-eastern and eastern Wales, and much of the Midlands. The alert flags potential health impacts for people vulnerable to extreme heat and heat-related issues for the wider population, as well as a potential increase in water safety incidents. People in the alert area are advised to drink plenty of fluids, keep out of the sun, and avoid exercising between 11 am and 3 pm.
The heatwave follows a hot spell in May during which at least 15 people died after getting into trouble in open water.
