Saturday 5 November 2011

Bonfiring

Christmas Eve aside, tonight is my most favourite night of the year. There's something magical and a bit primal about crowds of people walking through the dark night, towards the brightness, to gather around the fire on the hill.
We like to make a bit of a party of this colourful night with friends and a few garden fireworks to get things off to a bang. A special feast is called for too. Jacket potatoes, oven baked sausages with honey and grainy mustard, butternut squash soup, good cheese, garlic mushrooms, then ginger cake and mulled cider to wash it all down. Delicious.
The magic of sparklers never lessens does it? Or the nervousness!
Then we join the throng walking up the hill and head for the first of the two big village displays this week, with bangs and flashes filling the air all around us.
Eleven years ago Woody and I had our very first date on Bonfire night. What a long way we've come. It's a special, special night for us.
And after having had this camera for two years, at long last I've finally figured out the firework setting. There's no stopping me now! Just a few more I promise.
Marvellous stuff. Hope you had fun too.
P.S. Thanks so very much for all your kind thoughts and wishes on my down in the dumps post. They really did cheer me up and helped me to focus on the positive this last week which really rubbed off on what I was doing at work. I've managed to push a few important bits of things forward and spoken up about what I was finding difficult or unrealistic. Can't thank you all enough. Blogging is a brilliant thing. Thank you. Xxx

36 comments:

Linda said...

Amazing pictures! Your food sounds rather amazing too - it had me absolutely drooling!!

madforplaid said...

Steph, thank you for this post. I have been hoping for a bonfire night post. Being a Yank/Anglophile I appreciate you sharing.
Happy that you and Woody got together. Such a darling little family.

June said...

Wow, those photos are great - can you tell me what you did to your camera. My photos are a bit of a sorry affair as didn't quite know how to take them - same thing last year too!
June

Louise said...

We almost went to that same bonfire tonight but opted for my childhood village instead!

It is a wonderful evening and Dave and I also sort of had our first date on this day 6 years ago too, so it's a bit special for me!

I've been playing with sparklers in the garden and taking similar photos tonight!

I love your first photo, it really seems to capture the atmosphere, if that makes sense!

**Anne** said...

I've never been to a bonfire night, we don't have them here in Australia. We have fireworks displays for special occasions like New Years Eve and Australia Day, but the whole process of setting and lighting has to be done by professionals. It's illegal for just anyone to have their own crackers. I suppose that is a good thing in summer considering we live on such a dry continent.
So I enjoyed joining you at your bonfire night. Thank you for sharing.
Anne xx

June said...

Thanks for getting back to me - no firework setting on my camera! Will have to try the on-line approach as the User's Manual is also quiet on the subject! Just looked at your photos again - puts mine to shame!
June

Rose H (UK) said...

Great photos!

Lina said...

Your pics are amazing. Have a nice Sunday!

Greetings from Spain

Unknown said...

So glad you found the fireworks setting your photos are beautiful. Happy anniversary - no wonder you like bonfire night so much! Have a lovely week x

Barri-Jayne said...

Wow your shots are amazing, especially the 5th and last ones. I bet they'd look amazing framed or on canvas. The foods sounds de.li.cious, I'm coming to yours next year!!!

Barri xx

Pretty at Heart said...

Wow amazing photos!! Felt like I was there watching them too!
-x-

VintageVicki said...

Great photos :) Mine were pants this year - different camera which doesn't have an obvious fireworks setting on it.

Julie Clay Illustration said...

Lovely firework photos, well done! I love bonfire night too, but now the boy is all grown up, we just listened to all the bangs outside :( If I ever need any firework reference, I shall be back to you!! Cheers.

Sue said...

Smashing post Steph,glad you had a great evening,Thank You for sharing
Best Wishes to you all
Sue xxx

Sheila said...

Oh what beautiful pictures.
I missed out on the local bonfire as I can't leave the dog at home alone. He gets very distressed on Bonfire Night.
Glad you are feeling more positive.
Hugs
Sheila

The Cookie Jar said...

Fantastic photos. Didn't know cameras had a fireworks setting.

silverpebble said...

Oh those are wonderful Steph. I know what you mean about bonfire night - it does feel like its harking back to ancient times.

I read your down in the dumps post and have been thinking of you. I'm so so glad that putting it down in words helped.

The mum of all trades said...

These pictures are fantatsic, they really capture the atmosphere of the night.

bellaboo said...

Great bonfire night pics! Lovely to see them as we can't go to our local one anymore,Bella is so frightened and we can't leave her alone.Stayed in and watched 'Strictly' with the volume right up! :0)

Twiggy said...

Great photos, glad you had fun !!
twiggy x

Frances said...

What terrific photos! I also love the sound of the Bonfire Night supper menu...all seasonal and delicious, I am sure.

Best wishes. xo

Mum said...

Fantastic pictures. They would make a terrific mosaic.
Love from Mum
xx

Please may I? said...

Amazing photos, hope you had great time.

X x

Taminator said...

You have no idea how much I enjoy your blog. Your photos and your comments just make me smile every single time and I always look forward to new posts. Thank you again for your bit of cheer from your corner of the world.

driftwood said...

oh what incredible photos. glad you had such a lovely evening and that you are feeling better about things. take care x

...Nina Nixon... said...

I'm with you Steph - I absolutely love bonfire night.

The darkness, the smell, the whizz, bangs, pops and fizzes, getting together with friends and strangers, the ooohhhhh and aaaaahhhhhs and best of all, the warming and comforting food.

Have a lovely week,

Nina x

Country Rabbit said...

I so feel the same as you there really is that childish air of excitement when getting ready for bomb fire night- getting wrapped up and snuggly walking in the dark through a field and being lit up by a warm glow of the roasting fire in your face while gazing up at the magical colours!- it really is a wonderful time for all the family- Thanks for sharing your lovely piccys Steph ;0)x always a joy!!!!

Pipany said...

I feel the same Steph and I think those are some of the best firework pics I have ever seen. Just amazing, Have a good week lovely x

Terrie said...

Amazing pictures!

Anonymous said...

I just LOVED all those photos - especially as I missed fireworks this year.

Great! Love 'em!

from

http://dancingonabladeofgrass.wordpress.com

julie said...

love those firework photos, they really capture the excitement and the colours at the point of explosion. Funny we had almost identical bonfire night food - don't you love the way traditions unite us all. Sounds like it was a great night!

purple-roses-country-cottage said...

Wow, the pictures are looking amazing!What a magical atmosphere!
Have a lovely week. Nicolexxx

Jo said...

I love your photos! Sounds like a lovely evening - it's a bizarre celebration, if you think about it, but I love Bonfire Night!

The Curious Cat said...

Lovely photos - you really capture the atmosphere. I missed out this year so these please me very much! xxx

Small Things Simple Pleasures said...

Your blog is beautiful! You almost had me wishing I was entering into the beginning of winter rather than summer.

Aqeela said...

These photos are amazing! I want to recreate them with paint or embroidery threads, this is definately a post i want to come back to again.
Aqeela xx