Yes, it's that time of year again...time to check the bonfire for hedgehogs, clear away the leaves...then gather together, burn an effigy and blow lots of things up. No, don't worry, we are not members of a terrorist organisation...we are English and the English on the 5th of November celebrate the attempted blowing up of the Houses of Parliament and the then King, James I by that rascal Guy Faukes and his cronies. (I'm purposely not describing us as British as I'm not sure if they share this tradition in our sister countries of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In fact I'm pretty sure that there are lots of people in those countries who would only celebrate if the HoP HAD been blown up...come to think of it there are probably quite of few of those people in this country :-) )
Anyway, I digress....the main growing season is nearly at an end, all the flowers have gone from the pots and the only veg left is the brassicas a few parsnips (which, by the way, have been a HUGE success and bloomin' delicious) and some leeks.... there's no escaping the fact that winter is nearly upon us. We decided to send the season off with a bang (yes, I went there) and have one last party to celebrate..well, the hideous death of a revolutionary over 400 years ago!
As tradition dictates we built our Guy. This is a strange tradition I've never fathomed as Guy Fawkes wasn't burnt to death but was in fact hung, drawn and quartered, poor chap....however, that was a very long time ago and it's all good fun so we just go with it....This Year, Guy's bottom half was made up of Minion 1's legendary 'chav pants'...
I should explain the significance of these pants to all those who have never had the pleasure of making my son's acquaintance. I might have mentioned that Minion 1 is at UCL studying medicine ;-). Well, despite the fact that he is really very bright he used to insist on dressing in these hideous, shapeless, tatty, grey tracksuit bottoms! We could never coax him out of them... He was even wearing them when he had a close encounter with our beloved Queen whose convoy was making it's way through Camden one day...Imagine what her Majesty must of thought when Shaun, sporting a russian hat and his chav pants gave her an innane grin and a two handed wave. He swears she smiled and waved at him...she probably thought he was a care in the community case and was fervently hoping he didn't throw a brick.
Anyway after nearly two years of putting up with them, of begging him not to wear them to a numerous gatherings and family events....Minion 1 foolishly forgot his pants the last time he was home and they met their end as Guy's legs. Minion 1, bless him, returned home to the sight of his pants sitting on the bonfire and he knew that their reign was at an end:
Of course, what goes around comes around, and my punishment for burning the pants was another big hole in my lawn....and the other one had only just blended in properly. Oh well, we reep what we sow.
My friend Sam also said goodbye to some demons by ritually burning some notes from a horrible placement she had....
It was a great night...Minion 1 cheered up when we let him set off all the fireworks.....Grandad even enjoyed a sparkler or two. Sadly, Minion 6 was in bed but all other minions had fun and even Minion 2 came out of his cave, albeit briefly. It was probably the last outside party of the year. We've had so much fun in our garden in 2012. From the Golden Jubilee to Minion 6's Christening. We're looking forward to having lots more next year. But for now, I've got a right old bloody mess to clean up! :-)
Anyway, I digress....the main growing season is nearly at an end, all the flowers have gone from the pots and the only veg left is the brassicas a few parsnips (which, by the way, have been a HUGE success and bloomin' delicious) and some leeks.... there's no escaping the fact that winter is nearly upon us. We decided to send the season off with a bang (yes, I went there) and have one last party to celebrate..well, the hideous death of a revolutionary over 400 years ago!
As tradition dictates we built our Guy. This is a strange tradition I've never fathomed as Guy Fawkes wasn't burnt to death but was in fact hung, drawn and quartered, poor chap....however, that was a very long time ago and it's all good fun so we just go with it....This Year, Guy's bottom half was made up of Minion 1's legendary 'chav pants'...
I should explain the significance of these pants to all those who have never had the pleasure of making my son's acquaintance. I might have mentioned that Minion 1 is at UCL studying medicine ;-). Well, despite the fact that he is really very bright he used to insist on dressing in these hideous, shapeless, tatty, grey tracksuit bottoms! We could never coax him out of them... He was even wearing them when he had a close encounter with our beloved Queen whose convoy was making it's way through Camden one day...Imagine what her Majesty must of thought when Shaun, sporting a russian hat and his chav pants gave her an innane grin and a two handed wave. He swears she smiled and waved at him...she probably thought he was a care in the community case and was fervently hoping he didn't throw a brick.
Anyway after nearly two years of putting up with them, of begging him not to wear them to a numerous gatherings and family events....Minion 1 foolishly forgot his pants the last time he was home and they met their end as Guy's legs. Minion 1, bless him, returned home to the sight of his pants sitting on the bonfire and he knew that their reign was at an end:
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| It might look as if Guy has had an unfortunate accident...which you couldn't blame him for considering his approaching demise, however, that is light fluid...Charlie swears blind he didn't do it on purpose. |
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| Minion 1 took it on the chin and the burning of the chav pants caused much hilarity and, for me anyway, was quite cathartic |
Of course, what goes around comes around, and my punishment for burning the pants was another big hole in my lawn....and the other one had only just blended in properly. Oh well, we reep what we sow.
My friend Sam also said goodbye to some demons by ritually burning some notes from a horrible placement she had....
and Chris just enjoyed poking the fire...
It was a great night...Minion 1 cheered up when we let him set off all the fireworks.....Grandad even enjoyed a sparkler or two. Sadly, Minion 6 was in bed but all other minions had fun and even Minion 2 came out of his cave, albeit briefly. It was probably the last outside party of the year. We've had so much fun in our garden in 2012. From the Golden Jubilee to Minion 6's Christening. We're looking forward to having lots more next year. But for now, I've got a right old bloody mess to clean up! :-)
