Fires and fireworks

In an nontraditional way my block of flats celebrated bonfire night a day early.  We have a bin cupboard on the outside of the block, last night some of the local kids decided it would be fun to set fire to our bin.  I was in my front room at the other side of the building, when I went to take the dogs out the rest of my flat smelled of smoke.  Leaving my flat and heading down the stairs it was definitely smokey.  Once outside the cause was obvious as the bin had been half pulled out of the cupboard and was full of flames.

In normal emergency mode I stood like a muppet (probably Ralph the dog) and stared at it for a while before I knocked on my neighbours door and they put it out.  No real damage other than to the rubbish.  Oh and the fact that the dogs now have a smoked smell.

So tonight is bonfire night for real, no pretend bin fires, real inferno type fires are alight all over the country.  To remember what it's all about here is the poem:

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent
To blow up the King and Parli'ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England's overthrow;
By God's providence [or By God's mercy] he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Hulloa boys, Hulloa boys, let the bells ring.
Hulloa boys, hulloa boys, God save the King!

If you don't know or remember the Guy Fawkes story I think it's the Die Hard movie where Bruce Willis travels back to the year 1605 and stops a terrorist from blowing up a government building.  What you missed that one?
 
The girls and I are cuddled up on the sofa watching fireworks out of the window.  They are totally undisturbed by the fact that outside sounds like a war zone.  I was remembering November the fifth when I was young.  We used to get dressed up in our wellington boots, coats, scarves, hats and gloves.  So wrapped up you could barely move your arms.  We'd get taken to a local bonfire and fireworks display.  I mostly remember that your front would be roasting hot from the fire but your back would be freezing.  You had to pick your spot so that you didn't get a face full of smoke.  There would be hot potatoes and soup to help keep warm and then the high point of the fireworks.  All the oohs and aahs.  You'd go home freezing cold and have to get warmed by the fire or radiator.
 
I was wondering how many other countries celebrate a 400 year old attempt at terrorism?

15 comments:

The Blogger Formerly Known As said...

Terrorism? It was only the Houses of Parliament. I’m surprised more people haven’t tried to set fire to it.
The enigmatic, masked blogger

Astrology And Numerology said...

You know, it seems the gov..would do anything to make money. After all, it is they who sanction the sale of 'fireworks.'

Miss Melicious said...

Canada needs to get some more exciting holidays!

Just Plain Tired said...

I have to admit your last sentence caught me off guard, and makes a person think. ;)

Kat Von Devious said...

"If you don't know or remember the Guy Fawkes story I think it's the Die Hard movie where Bruce Willis travels back to the year 1605 and stops a terrorist from blowing up a government building. What you missed that one? "

haha you had me rolling with that. I watched V for Vendetta today, just like I do every year on the fifth of November.

Melissa said...

Fascinating post!!!

Anonymous said...

I just learned about Guy Fawkes this year. Funny that you mention him in a post like, two weeks after I first hear about him.

Interesting.

And I can sympathize with the burning hot on one side and freezing on the other side. I usually end up turning round and round like I am a rotisserie chicken.

Um.....chicken.

klahanie said...

Hi there,
I just wish those who are outside would maybe consider going to a public fireworks display, instead of taking risks and scaring the heck out of some poor nervous animals.
I'm not sure if anywhere else celebrates old acts of 'terrorism'. It is a rather weird celebration but, under controlled circumstances, it can be good honest fun.
Here's wishing you a peaceful and pleasant weekend.
In kindness, Gary.

#1Nana said...

According to family history an ancient relative of ours was involved in the plot, Sir Tresham. And that's how his son came to leave England and settle in the US. I'm going to have to visit some November to see the bonfires and festivities.

thatboynextdoor said...

I have a German girlfriend, I think my excitement for sparklers freaked her out a bit, she just didn't quite get it.

You then talk about the story of Guy Fawkes and realise "wait a minute, what ARE we doing?"..

Although keeping that sense of tradition is something that we should never lose, even in a world that is disrupted by these extremists.

Karritte said...

I <3 guy fawkes! Best time ever.
I love learning about it, but I still find it odd that he returned to check his explosives..... i Don't know.... It just doesn't fit in my mind.

Any who, Fire works rock till they fall over and start shooting at you... I am so glad that didn't happen this year. :D

DanWins said...

Days late and Pounds and Pence short.

Somehow, Some out of this world way, I missed this post and was wondering what had happened to my Edinburgh Bird.

Hope all is well with you and yours.

Danny

Mustang Sally said...

Odd the things we choose to celebrate sometimes isn't it?

Just saw the comment about going Falconing and think that would be an awesome experience. Don't know though, I tend to get upset when I see them tethered. I know sometimes they aren't able to live in the wild, still it hurts my heart to see "freedom" caged.

Dennis Hodgson said...

What? A blog post about fireworks and no mention of the Chinese, who invented the things and still, in my opinion, put on the best displays.

As a teenager, I took Bonfire Night very seriously, but although I was aware of the history behind the occasion it was the fireworks that were the main attraction. They still are: the fireworks display in Hong Kong to mark Chinese New Year is one of the highlights of the entire year.

DanWins said...

Thought you might like to know you got a mention in today's Post.

Hope all is well and to hear from you

Danny

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