This post is part of a weekly series of ‘link-up’ Posts which reflect on life’s journey, old memories and family stories (see below for more info).
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This is the season which is home to one of the most vivid memories I have from my childhood. I suspect its memory has endured because it was such a ritual in our young lives. Of what do I speak? Bonfire Night, of course.
Over the years and generations, this is an annual event which appears to have evolved. In my parents’ time, and in my own early recollections, great time and effort was expended in creating and readying an impressive ‘Guy’ for, well, destroying on the fire later. To the non-British reader, this is indeed just as futile as it sounds. We would make a life sized effigy of Mr Fawkes (usually crafted from some poor mother’s old tights whose crotch was unceremoniously stuffed with old newspaper), dress ‘him’ in some old clothes destined for the Jumble Sale (another much-lamented lost British art form) and sit him in a cranky old wheelbarrow. We would then proceed to push the flaccid gentleman around the street, knocking doors and 
begging *clears throat in belated recognition of why parents didn’t approve of this passtime* for ‘a penny for the Guy’. Ree Diculous.
It is not the fireworks which I recall with most fondness (probably because they were a bit shit), nor is it the fire itself. My memories of this seminal piece of my childhood are as follows:-
1. The jacket potatoes, wrapped in tin foil and reliably lost somewhere in the bowels of the fire. Later retrieved from the embers, penetrated by charcoal and mouth blisteringly hot.
2. Writing my name across the inky black with a Sparkler
3. The smell of the smoke on my clothes the next day
I hope to Fawkes that my kids get the rush which I just felt when they sit and remember their own 5th of Novembers in 30 years’ time.
Link up your own seasonal memories! What are the bonfire night rituals you shared with your own families all those years ago? How have they changed now that you are a parent? Use your blog to create your own post, or simply share your memories in the comments. We’re here for a while, so no rush!!
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More about the Life’s a Journey weekly memories series.
A selection of other posts from this series:-
Week 2 - Old School Portrait
Week 4 - Bestest Friends
Week 5 - Teenage Crushes
Week 6 - First Movie Memories
Week 9 - Favourite Childhood Books
Week 19 - Becoming a Parent
Week 25 - Old Boyfriends
I’m not convinced it’s like it used to be. It’s lost it’s rawness. You don’t see many guys, no begging (!), no more sulpher smoke shit fireworks that filled the gardens with an acrid blanket. It’s all organised big bangs!
Too true. It was rough ‘n’ ready when we were kids!!
They dont make bonfire nights now like the old days, do they? Too much health and safety now
Elf and safety rools. Where are all the stories of fireworks exploding in childrens’ hands eh?
I still love using sparklers even now. x
Best thing ever!
I read another post the other day that talked about baking hot jacket potatoes and it made me instantly think of my childhood. But the other thing I remember is freezing cold toes and raw-red legs, because no matter how well you dress up it’s never warm enough! Love the open-mouthed photo, fantastic.
Popping over from The Gallery.
Thank you!! So glad you popped by!
I remember hot jacket potatoes being served at firework displays when I was young and hotdogs and toffee apples. My mum didn’t and still doesn’t like fireworks so we didn’t go that often!
Nothing like a toffee apple to sort your milk teeth out!!
I really enjoyed that post. I always loved the bonfire as I loved that warm feeling you get when you get close. Funny the things you remember
Isn’t it? It’s what I’m here for!!!
Bob had a chocolate apple this year. I think I’ll hold off on the toffee apples for a while!
) Lovely post! x
Thanks Charlotte. Choc apples are a new one on me!
Ahh those were the day x
Indeedy. Simple, yet life threatening