Smile

[aleathiel]

I am officially half way through. I just handed in essay four out of eight (FOUR HOURS EARLY - go me!).

Which of course means I'm FREE tonight! (I love Wednesday nights).
Conveinent huh? Considering the date.

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot...

I feel like a six year old! We're going up to the boathouse to stand on the roof and watch the fireworks with mulled wine and then wander to the common for the huge bonfire.

(To all the non-Brits - it's Guy Fawkes Night tonight. Will give short history lesson to all who apply.)

Comments

[anjali-organna.livejournal.com]

*raises hand* Um, teacher? Who's Guy Fawkes? (besides Fawkes' half brother ^_^)

[aleathiel.livejournal.com]

Okay, Elizabeth the first died in 1603 and was succeeded by James the first of Scotland. The English Catholics hoped that he would be more responsive to them, and yet were disappointed. In retaliation some of them, in particular a man called Robert Catesby formed a plot to blow up Parliament when all the members were present and so was the king.
However the king was sent a letter of warning to stay away and so an investigation was made and they found the cellars of Parliament filled with gunpowder, and there was Guy Fawkes, one of the plotters, ready to set it all off.
Why it's called Guy Fawkes Night, when basically he was only a lacky and not a central plotter, I don't know. People in Britain build bonfires on November the fifth as an anniversary and burn effigies called 'Guys' and set of fireworks.
It's perhaps a strange custom, but a fantastic one all the same, there's nothing like the warmth of mulled wine through thick gloves and the feel of the bonfire heat on your face as you watch the firewords in the freezing November night.

[anjali-organna.livejournal.com]

That's such an awesome custom! *is jealous*

[aleathiel.livejournal.com]

It's great fun, even if the origins are slightly strange. I had such a childish night but it was fantastic!

[londinensa.livejournal.com]

What fun, just got home from a fireworks display, my six-yr-old-self is toying now with the idea of going to the river on sat as we're promised London's biggest display to coincide with the Lord Mayor's parade/show thing...

[aleathiel.livejournal.com]

Oh be six years old! You know you want to go. I just got back from ours, watched the fireworks with the rowers and then went across to Midsummer Common and went on the fairground rides. Then we came back here and sat on the roof (I know, strange college thing...) and watched all the fireworks from other places. Fantastic!

[londinensa.livejournal.com]

I probably will go, can't resist the fireworks and if I can get a good place (possibly Tower or Millenium bridge) it should be great...

We didn't have any rides tonight but I know there are fairgrounds all over the place at the moment so maybe I'll get to go on the waltzers too...

[aleathiel.livejournal.com]

Yay, the waltzers. I'm also six years old. *whispers* I went on the waltzers just now...

[londinensa.livejournal.com]

Yes! another waltzer fan! Usually I can only drag someone on once and never again so have to find a fresh victim every time but I love the waltzers beats all the other rides hands down!

[aleathiel.livejournal.com]

Of course! I'm not really one for up-and-down rides because I'm scared of heights and I hate the drops. But waltzers are fantastic. I love the way that if you lean your head back you get stuck because it hurts your neck too much to lean forward. I laughed so much when I was on it tonight, with three male friends who were taking it seriously and there I was giggling like a child. (They bought me candy-floss afterwards so they obviously were convinced I'd regressed to being six!)

[londinensa.livejournal.com]

I don't know, the up and down ones are ok... we found a really wierd one about a year ago it was one of those sort of spidery ones that has about six arms with about 3 cars on each and spins around but this one bounced as well - have to admit that one got a few squeals out of us and howls of laughter from the other sensible ones who took one look and refused to go on it!

Still can't beat the waltzer though and I'm glad i'm not the only one that giggles the whole way through ;-)