Saturday/Sunday 4-5 November 2006

Upon returning from opposite ends of the globe, we joined Amy’s friend Dana-Leigh and her husband David at their home southwest of London for a very warm welcome home (more on that later…).

Saturday afternoon we toured one of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew at Wakehurst Place giving us the opportunity to enjoy the fall colours and giving “someone” a chance to capture a few new park bench photos (coming soon to a blog near you). The weather has cooled considerably since we both left last week and jackets were a must.

That night we attended a Guy Fawkes/Bonfire night where on (or about) 05 November the British celebrate the foiled Gunpowder Plot of 1605 with fireworks and huge bonfires complete with effigies of Guy Fawkes and the Pope.

Okay… here’s your history lesson for the week. Guy Fawkes is Britain’s most notorious traitor. He, along with 12 other Catholics attempted to strike back at Reformation and the Church of England by plotting to blow up Parliament, as well as, the King of England by placing 36 barrels of gunpowder under the House of Lords. Fast forward…. blah, blah, blah… plot is spoiled, conspirators are captured, the king is saved, long live the king… and on the following day celebratory bonfires were lit to honour the safety of the king. It’s been a tradition ever since.

If two Our Lady of Mt. Carmel graduates can’t have fun watching Catholics burned in effigy with the taunts of “Burn them!!” - then where can we have fun?

As I type this (Sunday night) the skies over central London are filled with fireworks from several locations.

“Remember, remember the 5th of November… Guy Fawkes, the only man to enter Parliament with honest intentions.” This was really just a traditional British party weekend, complete with carnival grounds, bonfire and fireworks. It was all done in good fun.

Ray is back from Texas having spent a week catching up with family, friends and errands. He managed to bring home 10 pounds of assorted candy sours and a few other necessities from the good ol’ USA. I think this will keep him stocked until we return for Christmas!