Bonfire

14/6/2013

When we were kids in the bush, every Queens Birthday weekend, we would have a huge bonfire in someone's paddock. Over the year all the fallen timber would be gathered up in readiness and we would save our pocket money for fire crackers. Great fire crackers, catherine wheels and penny bungers, sky rockets and big flash stuff. Just the most fun night for kids. The fire usually started so hot and high that no one could get within 6 metres of it. The adults relaxed and caught up and the kids had the delicious fun of playing in the dark the excitement of the crackers, and the wonder of it all.
Last weekend we attended a bonfire that was truely magnificent, sparks 20 meters into the sky as it was lit, guitars and great pots of warming food we had a great night. But, no Crackers, something lost for this new generation. What are your Bonfire memories?

4 Comments

Helen

14/6/2013 10:21:18 pm

Yes, like you I have many fond memories of Cracker Night. All the neigbourhood preparing their letterboxes against the dreaded bungers; we used to build a hugh bonfire in the local park and everybody came, it was a great get together. My mum once made me wear a wool pleated skirt & some jumping jacks -wildly erractic mini bungers went up my skirt much to the local lads amusement & my terror! And the rockets were always last as they were the most expensive ;)

June

15/6/2013 12:10:56 am

Back in the dark ages when I was a child and bonfire night in November, even though we were in the city, a large bonfire would be built in our backyard which was right next to the river bank which had grass taller than the kids (handy to hide amongst). There would be a gathering of relatives and others of the neighbourhood. Of course, the skyrockets were always directed towards the river, and, of course, someone from the other side of the river always called the fire brigade. Three weeks later, sheets of burnie board with two holes at one end threaded with rope made for great slides on the newly grown grass down the slope to the river without any fear of the previously resident snakes..

EILEEN M MORIARTY

15/6/2013 05:57:53 pm

The magic of fire somehow links us back in time and to each other. Doesn't matter if it is in town or in the malley , kids just love it.

EILEEN M MORIARTY

15/6/2013 06:02:20 pm

A friend told me he always feels a bit mortified about cracker night. When he was a kid he let off a rocket, it flew off course into the base of a tree some distance away where everyone's fireworks were stored. It set the whole lot off in a huge explosion of colour and noise. he was not popular. Can understand why.

Bonfire

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