Regarding the Winter Solstice:  the actual timing of it is on the 21st, at 17.47.  But seeing as this is after sunset, I'll be heading for my solstice celebrations on the Tuesday 22nd, on the grounds that if I'm going to be up at 5 am in minus five degrees dealing with suspicious security men and police officers who'd rather be home than watching hippies in the snow, then I'm going to want to see the first sunrise of the new year, not the last sunrise of the old.  Solstice = latin = sun still.  Freinds of mine will be in Queensland, on the tropic of Cancer, and will be with the sun directly overhead. Hmmm.  Minus 5 or plus 30.  Tough call