Its bonfire night. There's a massive pit aflame in the Forest and its drawn an equally massive crowd. Wish I had a massive stick with a massive marshmallow at the end of it.Bonfire night, or Guy Fawkes night, is an curiously pyro-centric celebration of the November night in 1605 when a plot to torch parliament was thwarted by officials. Guy -or Guido - and his band of angry Catholics were condemned by King James I for their foiled attempt. It was a champion day in British Parliament.
The festival is actually said to be rooted in pagan traditions dating even earlier than the 15th century, when the bonfire was kindled with human sacrifice.
I'd rather be torching buildings than people. Makes the wanna-be cruisaders seem almost sympathetic.
The festival was impressive, the fireworks show remarkable. The fire, not hot enough to keep us from shivering. My friends and I stood and watched the entire show then headed up to the nearby carnival - much like a mini version of last month's goose fair...with the dizzying rides and greasy snacks.
