Bonfire Night Bonanza

Well Saturday saw what is always a monumental fixture in the Alresford calendar go off with an enormous bang. The Rotary Club's torchlight street parade followed by the bonfire and fireworks display is simply the best 4 quid you can spend in November. We of course have our own family traditions too now so having wrapped up warm we set off for the chip shop, as does everyone else, stocking up with chocolate from the Co-op en route. It is then mandatory to consume a large tray of sausage & chips sitting on the bench outside the post office. I let mine cool down for 2 minutes while dashing off to the Swan for a purely medicinal large Paddy whiskey.

After that it was time to light our torch and join the chanting locals as they followed the fire engine (for heaven's sake) down West Street and up The Avenue to Arlebury Park rec. Then it's the big countdown as the huge bonfire is lit and we all stand back in awe. I can't really explain why the monk look-alike in the picture is giving a Nazi salute but this is Alresford and we try to be as cosmopolitan as we can you know. Apologies if it causes offence. Anyhoo I'm sure he was just excited because what followed was a truly fabulous firework display fit for any rural community desperate for a bit of excitement. Ooo's and aaa's filled the air, probably because the underdone sausages from the chip shop were reacting with Mars bars and repeating on everyone but that's the price you pay for fun.

Can you live with yourself for not being there? I thought not. Well never mind, next week there'll be a thrilling update on my wonderful decking project. How do you cope with the excitement I wonder?