Carnival Fireworks.

Yesterday was a sunny, lovely day. The wings on this dragonfly looked as if they were covered in scales of gold. Why is it that sunshine is so uplifting ? When the sun is shinning my spirits are raised, I feel positive and energised. I spent a satisfying day out in the garden enjoying the sunshine,(reading) and getting some jobs done. I was painting a wall when Romas, who was cutting grass - for cash, called out that there was a pony out on the road. I grabbed a bucket and did the old stones in a bucket trick, caught the pony and using one of the headcollars that are left by the gateways, took it back down to the stables. When something like that occurs it reminds me of how much I used to enjoy looking after peoples' horses ( in the East End of London). We did ride at the stables next door but once the boys started riding it got very expensive to pay for 4 lessons at a time and I couldn't justify being the only one to ride. Pete barbequed some steaks and we had a leisurely outdoor lunch, that's the way to live.

Later in the evening Romas and I went into town to watch the fireworks. (Pete has a knee injury so needs to rest up. ) As we drove into town we just caught the tail end of the carnival. It's a fantastic atmosphere, crowds of people and lots of children everywhere either strolling back to the car parks or making their way towards the river to watch the fireworks or over to the fair. I tried to get some atmospheric shots and the batteries went flat and for once the spares were at home. The carnival floats congregate in the civic centre car park and many still had the music blaring out and lights blazing. There are always a lot of marching musicians and a salsa band was enthusiastically carrying on. Amongst the crowds were many people in their carnival costumes. The fireworks are set off from an old factory site on one bank of the river and everybody can get a good view, either from the Long Bridge or from the pedestrianised area by the river that used to be the old bus station. Romas and I found a spot on the concrete wharf where we could sit against some railings and have a superb view of the fireworks which as usual were spectacular.

As I failed to get any decent shots here are a series of pictures I took on a grey morning about a week ago. I always love the idea of looking through a tunnel of trees.

Barnstaple Fair.

This morning was bright and sunny with a slight chill and mist lingering in the valleys. Having slight focus problems with the camera, or my eyes, so this is the only decent picture.

Back to Barnstaple Fair. 'The origins are lost in the mists of antiquity,' says the web. The fair is almost as old as the town and is reputed to date back to the time of Athelstan - 955. There are records showing it was well established in 1154. In those days it was a livestock fair with a day each for cattle, sheep and horses. The 'pleasure fair' originated in those days and later it was known as the 'saturnalia of North Devon'. They must have been a rowdy lot. The fair always starts on the Wednesday before 20th Sept with a civic ceremony and a mayoral procession from the Guildhall to the fair site.

The gloved hand in the upper window represents the hand of friendship.

The doorway of the Guildhall is always decorated with flowers .

" Now which ride shall I go on first?"

I took these shots just before the fair opened.

There's always lots of fast food at the fair.

The fair will stay open until late on Saturday. On Saturday afternoon there is a carnival which winds its way through town. I've walked along collecting money a couple of times when my boys were on the sea cadets' float. Children that recognised me from school were usually very surprised to see me in a different setting. After the carnival most people make their way over the Long Bridge to the fair and then as it gets dark they throng onto the bridge or beside the river to watch the fireworks. Like many people I like to walk around the fair watching the fun before seeing the fireworks. The rides are pretty expensive though, £5-£7 for the bigger rides. I don't know how families can afford it. My boys used to wander round with their friends but even if I gave them money they would just save it for something else. Pete has an OU assignment to do so yet again if I go, it will be on my own.