November 5th is a holiday here in England; it's Guy Fawkes Night, although most folks call it Bonfire Night or Fireworks Night. Way back when (I think it was during Shakespeare's life, so late 1500s or early 1600s, but don't quote me on that), a bunch of Catholics, including a fellow named Guy Fawkes, decided they were going to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The plan was foiled, and to celebrate the failed bomb attempt, the Brits light big huge bonfires and put on some pretty amazing fireworks displays. Bonfires and fireworks to celebrate a failed attemp to blow something up; makes perfect sense, no?
We had planned to take the kids to see one of the bigger fireworks displays in Stratford. It costs money to get into the bonfire, so we were going to forego that bit...who really wants to take a bunch of little kids to a huge open flame anyway? We were going to situate ourselves somewhere along the River Avon to watch the fireworks show. It was cold and damp that night, so we bundled the kids up, packed some popcorn and applesauce cookies, and set out. Ben and Desi are always excited to go for a walk anywhere (who would ever expect a trip to the post office could be SO EXCITING?), and Rhys was nearly jumping out of her skin.
We walked down to the river, and planted ourselves on a bench. And we waited. And waited. And waited.
KA-BOOM!
We could hear the first fireworks. They were loud, and they were close. But there was just one problem: we couldn't see brightly coloured flashes of light anywhere. We moved to another bench, and strained to find a place where we could see a firework...a flash...a sparkle for crying out loud! But alas, it was just too foggy.
And we were all very, very disappointed.
We could still hear the fireworks at we headed home. Despite the constant booming, Rhys managed to nod off just as we got to our street.
Next year, I think we'll plan to go to three or four fireworks displays scheduled for different nights, and we'll pick the night that happens to have a crystal clear, starry sky..as if crystal clear, starry night skies EVER HAPPEN here in the autumn.
We had planned to take the kids to see one of the bigger fireworks displays in Stratford. It costs money to get into the bonfire, so we were going to forego that bit...who really wants to take a bunch of little kids to a huge open flame anyway? We were going to situate ourselves somewhere along the River Avon to watch the fireworks show. It was cold and damp that night, so we bundled the kids up, packed some popcorn and applesauce cookies, and set out. Ben and Desi are always excited to go for a walk anywhere (who would ever expect a trip to the post office could be SO EXCITING?), and Rhys was nearly jumping out of her skin.
We walked down to the river, and planted ourselves on a bench. And we waited. And waited. And waited.
KA-BOOM!
We could hear the first fireworks. They were loud, and they were close. But there was just one problem: we couldn't see brightly coloured flashes of light anywhere. We moved to another bench, and strained to find a place where we could see a firework...a flash...a sparkle for crying out loud! But alas, it was just too foggy.
And we were all very, very disappointed.
We could still hear the fireworks at we headed home. Despite the constant booming, Rhys managed to nod off just as we got to our street.
She woke up once we got home, and since we'd gotten the kids all excited about an evening of fun, we let them stay up a little later. We watched Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and we ate the popcorn and cookies.
Next year, I think we'll plan to go to three or four fireworks displays scheduled for different nights, and we'll pick the night that happens to have a crystal clear, starry sky..as if crystal clear, starry night skies EVER HAPPEN here in the autumn.
Ah well, at least we can still do Thanksgiving dinner. Without the turkey, of course!
1 comment:
I love the facial expressions of the twins in the stroller. Desi looks like: I am not so sure about this... What are the doing to me me now?
Rhys looks so adorable in that picture where she is asleep. And i can't believe that Ben already fits that coat that Monty wore last year. I guess he is just a year and a half younger then Monty... They sure seem to grow fast.
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