I am delayed in writing, already it is the 18th!
Max came here on 4th November and the weather did warm up, M and D. spent a lot of time outdoors. Max just loves exploring our property and they walk up and down the driveway dragging the cart. This time Max enjoyed riding on the garden tractor with Pamp, they both wear ear defenders and he isn’t put off by the noise like Katya was.
When it got dark on 5th November we went into the front garden where we had a large bonfire, Max seemed to enjoy it and we had hot sausages and some sparklers before Max got restless and we went indoors. Below is a link to information about Guy Fawkes who was the inspiration for the Bonfire Night Festivities. Growing up in England as a Catholic we did have bonfires and fireworks on this night but we never had a Guy to burn.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes
Her is the poem about Bonfire Night, the only part I remember is the first verse;
Traditional British
Remember, remember, the 5th of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot ;
I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,
‘Twas his intent.
To blow up the King and the Parliament.
Three score barrels of powder below.
Poor old England to overthrow.
By God’s providence he was catch’d,
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holloa boys, Holloa boys, let the bells ring
Holloa boys, Holloa boys, God save the King!
Hip hip Hoorah !
Hip hip Hoorah !
A penny loaf to feed ol’Pope,
A farthing cheese to choke him.
A pint of beer to rinse it down,
A faggot of sticks to burn him.
Burn him in a tub of tar,’
Burn him like a blazing star.
Burn his body from his head,
Then we’ll say: ol’Pope is dead.
We took Max to a local park where they also have a War memorial. As it is November, I thought it a good idea to introduce him to poppies and remembering the soldiers who died or were injured in various wars. While he is not quite 2 this took the form of playing on the park equipment and then showing him the large Memorial to the dead of Hill 70. Max, of course, found the captured German machine gun displayed at the memorial quite interesting as well as exploring the memorial itself. We left a poppy.
It was time to return Max to his parents on 9th November and as the weather was still very warm we had a picnic in the grounds of St Brendan’s church in Rockport on 1,000 island Parkway. with a lovely view over the water. If we have time we usually take the Parkway and picnic along it somewhere, we have found some good spots.
On 11th November we decided to go along to the above Memorial to remember the Fallen, thinking not many would be there as it is in a small Hamlet called Mountain. A few people had turned up, among them was a soldier and his family as well as a lady who put her car radio on so we could hear the ceremony from Parliament Hill in Ottawa. It was a different kind of Remembrance Day but one I shall always remember.
Below is a link to more information about the battle of Hill 70, located near Lens, and took place in 1917 under the command of General Currie.
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