Bonfire Night(s)

[Daisy]

Gem - that's right out of order, isn't it! I wonder if it was a birthday party or something.

Mimi - yes, it seems Sainsburys aren't selling them this year. Hopefully it's the start of fewer nights of terror for frightened pets and wildlife.

[Nana]

I hadn't heard about that Mimi. As you say let's hope more shops do the same.🤞

[Daisy]

Sainsbury's decision has been very well received on various doggy groups and forums I belong to. I hope other outlets follow their example next year.

I think the next campaign should be for keeping home fireworks to 5th November or the nearest Saturday.

[Lizzie48]

Naturally we don't have a bonfire night, but!!!!!!! we do have fireworks to celebrate the New Year, somehow or other they get hold of illegal ones very early and I hear them already, I have never liked them, I was pleased when my DS's were old enough to realised what rubbish they are!!!
Most of the big cities do a display at midnight, I live in an apartment on the top floor and even if I am not a firework lover the sight of them all going off at midnight is fantastic! Rant over!

Sorry, more to tell, on the beach at Scheveningen the 2 "parts" of the town see which can build the highest pile of wooden pallets? for the New year. These pallets come from miles around and are heavily guarded. Last year it got really out of hand, a heavy wind, sparks and huge pieces of the fire were everywhere, people had to run to get away from it etc, to cut a long story short, the mayor has resigned as she had given permission etc. They are trying to get permission again, now not so high and more control.

I sometimes find it difficult to write it all down in English, sorry for the mistakes!!!

[Daisy]

Lizzie - please don't apologise - and if we all worried about typing mistakes we'd never have time to have our virtual chats. I imagine you spend more time communicating in Dutch than English.

I can imagine the awful panic last year with the bonfires. Things can get out of hand so quickly.

[Oma]

We have a Fireworks outlet on the retail park just about 5 mins drive away that sell fireworks all year round , we hear them often as people buy them to celebrate all sorts ,
We have had them going off all week ,
This will go on till well into the new year now ,
I love to see them but they should not be sold to the public , these days it should only be organised displays

[Sunshine]

Quite a few years back I was nannying for a lovely family who have an apartment in Verbier in Switzerland. They are very keen skiers. I was over there with them at the new year. Their apartment is half way up the mountain (just opposite Richard Branson’s.) At midnight on New Years Eve, everyone puts on their own firework display, from their balconies. It was one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever seen. A huge display of colour and sparkle against the snowy white background, with all the properties and fir trees dotted around. A truly unbelievable sight. I nannied for them two years running. The second time was at Easter. Easter eggs rolling down the mountain isn’t anywhere near as beautiful though. They were really good to me. We still keep in touch, but the children are big now, so I don’t suppose I’ll be going again.

[Plantaholic]

Waitrose are selling them, I wish they would follow Sainsbury's decision not to.

[Daisy]

Sunshine - what a lovely experience, and very different from the random "displays" we seem to get here from now until New Year, plus 4th July and other random dates.

I hate the really loud ones and the ones that look pretty to start with and then explode!

[Glammanana]

What is the reason people are setting of these fireworks which sound like a bomb going off its not as if they have any colour or sparks to them I just don't understand the mentality one bit they must cost a lot of money to buy and all just to hear a big bang

[Gemini]

We have decided not to have our New Year's Eve fireworks this year. We get 2 or 3 which last a couple of minutes each at the most , from a fireworks company who do displays. It has been part of our NYE celebrations for years. Our cats are kept in and do not seem at all bothered by it. I know dogs can be very nervous though (not that close neighbours have any dogs) and we have our 2 hedgehogs to consider! I will miss it, but we will manage without

[Daisy]

Gem - I'm sure your hedgehogs will be very grateful for your thoughtfulness. Spend the firework money on a special treat for you and S! xx