Remember Remember the 5th of November

I joined some other friends for a garden bonfire party the other side of Bristol. The journey in itself was one huge firework display as we drove round the outskirts of the city. How lucky we were to have such mild weather. It had even stopped raining. We wore boots and a coat but there was no need of scarves and gloves especially when the fire got going.

We had our own little display of garden fireworks.

There was parsnip and apple soup. Sausages and Onions in a roll. Baked potatoes and cheese. Why does food like that taste so much better outside? 

There was a bit of entertainment taking silhouette pictures. Some more spooky than others.

A new kind of candle?

I can assure you that no person was injured in the taking of these pictures!

There is nothing quite like a good bonfire!

A Barn with a History

We have recently been lucky enough to buy another field close to our farm. This includes a small stone building which is still in reasonable condition.

It is not very big but inside one can clearly see a fireplace on one wall.

It is thought that it was an office or restroom for miners. A lot of this area was heavily mined for iron ore particularly for the Redding colour and we have documents that confirm this. Interestingly this particular field has for a long time been known as Dawbarns. Dawbarn was the name of iron merchant who worked some of the land for iron ore in the 1870s and 1880s.

It has been used for many things since. One neighbour recalls Brian's uncle storing potatoes in it. It has been a general storage area and more recently cattle have been allowed to wander in to find a bit of shelter.

We have jokingly suggested that our eldest daughter could move in. It does after all have running water....

We will most likely use it as a wildlife refuge to encourage barn owls and bats etc. unless you have any better suggestions...

5 in 5 Autumn Colours

I took the opportunity while I was in my parents' garden to look around for some Autumnal captures to join in Sandie's 5 in 5 There was no shortage of photo opportunities.

Looking at leaves

Then berries

Pairs: Flower and Leaf

I am joining in Helena's great meme Pairs today. The Autumn colours continue to be a delight. This shrub is just outside our door.

The Flower

The Leaf

Both give a spectacular show in the sunshine.

Flying the Flag

When there is a special birthday on the farm up goes the flag.

Yesterday morning it was so foggy that it was hard to see the Union Jack on the top of the grain bin. A make shift farmer like flag pole!

Birthday cake was on offer at tea time.

Both girls were there to help him celebrate 

And there are more celebrations to come....

Me on Monday: Preparing for a Special Day

I am waving at Sian and all the other Me on Monday bloggers on a special day in our household. Farmer husband has a special birthday today so its pancakes for breakfast and lots of presents. It's been an at home weekend for most of the time. I did pop out to a Christmas Fair on Saturday afternoon. Yes I know it was still only October but I did manage to buy a few more bits and pieces and also enjoy the lovely location.

 The fair was set next to a local vineyard. The vines looked enticing in the Autumn sun.

Then it was back to a friend's for a cream tea. She lives in a local village and as I made my way home all the little trick or treaters were out in the early darkness. This carved pumpkin caught my eye and it was only when I looked I looked at the picture did I notice the horse!

                   

Sunday was the usual roast dinner, more tidying up the garden and some family time playing board games before the school routine starts again.

Then wrapping presents and writing cards for the morning.

It's going to be a busy day followed by a week preparing for a family lunch next Sunday. Hoping you all have a good week.

Missing Scarecrows

Anyone who has been following my blog over the last week or so will have seen a lot of the scarecrows that have been on view around the Chew Valley. The trail finishes tomorrow and it has been great to see the number of families out walking about following the trail. What better way to spend the time with your family than out on a relatively cheap excursion that also benefits the local charity for Harvey. Here is another of my favourites to remind you.

"My Favourite Things" by one of the local Brownie Packs. 

It seems however than everyone is not like minded. This year there has been a spate of scarecrow thefts and vandalism. One tableau of the Brit Awards that I featured here had one of the figures of Jessie J was stolen while the creator was still constructing it. The impressive Abbey Rd tableau which I posted in Famous Landmarks had John Lennon's arms and jacket taken. It is sad to think that such mindless activities happen in our community. The local Estate Agent arrived one morning to find a Muppet missing.

The Estate Agent in Chew Magna completely lost Special Agent Double Crow Seven.

Other shopkeepers had taken precautions to prevent such a sad event and had their entries safely behind glass.

Perhaps the most mindless vandalism happened on Friday night only hours after I took a photo of Ginger Spice. There was little left by Saturday morning.

 

However to finish on a more positive note here are a few more favourites.

"Rock Around the Block" featuring our local butchers.

One of the several Mary Poppins.

                                            The Drunken Sailor

                                        

Masquerade and Greensleeves.

Katy Perry

                                                    Heavenly Trio

                                              

This is but a few of over a hundred fantastic creations of which I have seen about three quarters!