….the 5th of November, Gunpowder, Treason and Plot….
For those of you who are non UKers, we have just had our Bonfire weekend, as it is affectionately called. The weekend where we set off fireworks, light bonfires and generally enjoy ourselves midwinter in memory of Guy Fawkes, who attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament on November 5th, 1605.
My memories of enjoying fireworks as a kid are that we always used to go to the big local display, and I would sit on Dad’s shoulders getting pins and needles in my feet, guessing the colours. But nowadays, the novelty has long warn off, especially as there seems to be a reason for letting them off practically every weekend through the winter! It’s also Divali at the moment and we are still being bombarded with a sky full of fireworks at 11.30pm!
But J and I always have our packet of sparklers on the back patio after supper. Couldn’t go out there on the 5th though as it was pouring down with rain, so we had ours on the 6th.
J was being his usual camera techie self and mounted the Nikon on the old tripod and was making me write my name while he used an 8 second shutter speed. It was cold and damp and very coughy for me out there, but we were big kids for a few minutes.
….It’s always fun to have sparklers, as long as you remember the firework code and are really safe with yours….
ooo sus….i love that photo very arty!!! keep well x
Thanks, Olivia. Same to you-sorry to hear about your knee! x
We non-UKers who have seem the movie V for Vendetta know what you’re talking about!
To think I didn’t even know about the movie-had to look it up on Google! x
Both of my academic supervisors are from London. One brought sparklers with him and had fun with them at lunch, the other recited the 5th of November rhyme and told us about his plans to let off firecrackers at his house that night, and then lectured me and his other students about azide compounds, gunpowder and other explosives for an hour. XD
I do truly wonder why we ‘celebrate this guy!’
That’s really interesting about your supervisors. Although this is a countrywide event, not just a Londoners one. Glad you had some sparkler fun too! x
My British cousins say it’s because Britain doesn’t have an independence day so they need another reason to set off firecrackers instead.
I think we have enough excuses to set off fireworks. All the religious festivals, Guy Fawkes, our National Day-St George’s Day, then of course St Patrick’s Day, plus Christmas and New Year which are always packed with fireworks.
No wonder we are all polluting the atmosphere so badly with this much carbon and sulphur!
Oooh love it!!