remember remember

The 5th November - not a significant date in France but it had become a yearly celebration for us in England.

We don't miss much from our life in England -  family of course, but we were missing them already as they did not live nearby, and also friends although we do still see them on special occasions ( when they visit or when we visit in December each year). But we did have some special events "chez nous" in England, a summer barbecue party which had become a fixture on the social calendar and best of all the annual bonfire party.





We usually left it to others to decide and let us know which weekend near 5th November it would be, no band bookings would be accepted that weekend, both our children would arrive ( with the latest plus ones), family living near Liverpool would join us and all our music and dancing friends would be there. Over the years some of the children grew up and eventually brought their own babies!

As the years went on the fireworks got more and more spectacular as bigger fireworks became available and we had to take greater and greater safety measures. Trevor's bonfire was always an engineering masterpiece. We ate soup and hot dogs outside retreating indoors for the puddings and music.

They were really hard work with loads food to prepare but it was always worth it to know how much people enjoyed it. I always loved having the house overflowing with people and full of music. When we announced our planned move to France many people 's first response was "but what about the bonfire parties?"

The first year after we moved we kept up the tradition of bonfire and music at Anna and Martins house in Norfolk.












We haven't yet had an occasion to have a big party here although it may happen one day. As for fireworks I hope family and friends have enjoyed their bonfire parties wherever they were this year.