Nantwich Writers Group

Last night I attended my first meeting of the Nantwich Writers Group and found myself in the midst of a dozen like-minded men and women who have also spent virtually all of their adult lives writing, whether it be poetry, plays, short stories or novels. The group is putting together a website which will showcase some of our work as well as links to our respective websites. Keep an eye on this page for the link.

from sun and sand ...

About a week ago we returned from a 5-day holiday to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The usual sun vacation pastimes, swimming, sunbathing, reading by the pool, dining out at night, occupied a good portion of our time. Typically, our adventurous streak kicked in after just a couple of days, sending us from the tranquil setting of our hotel in Jumeirah Beach to the world-famous Gold Souk, the exhilarating Wild Wadi Water Park, to not only one but two truly superlative shopping centres, and even to the desert, where we took a daring drive through the dunes, visited a camel farm, and dined Arabian-style in the desert on carpets amongst cushions.

Dubai is a great holiday destination, a mere six-hour flight from Heathrow (and the flight is during the night too). With a time difference of only three to four hours, it's possible to keep UK hours, meaning late nights not only for the adults in the family but for children too! We had a fantastic time.

... to dark skies and rain, rain, rain

We returned from Dubai to find England in the vice-like grip of Autumn. Imagine waiting outside Manchester airport for a taxi in 10-degree weather wearing little more than thin sweaters (jumpers) for protection, after spending virtually all week in bathing costumes (cossies) in 35-degree heat. I know, I know, stop already!

fond farewell

Sadly, we paid our last respects to two friends this month: one, an acquaintance, who was tragically taken early from this world, and another, John's much-loved and loving grandmother and Kassie's great-grandmother, who died in a Montreal nursing home after a long, full life. She will be greatly missed.

focus on bonfire night

We returned from holiday in time for Bonfire Night, the night on which the people of Britain commemorate their most notorious traitor, Guy Fawkes. On the evening of November 5th, bonfires are set alight, effigies are burned, and (particularly true in Cheshire) fireworks are set off. The tradition stems from a seditious attack on the Houses of Parliament by Fawkes and his fellow conspirators who were prevented from igniting the gunpowder meant to blow to smithereens King James I, the Prince of Wales and Members of Parliament; instead, the conspirators were caught, tortured and executed.

Children learn the following rhyme at school:

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!

So it is the defeat of terrorism that is celebrated, not its seditious hero, should anyone be in doubt. Interestingly, Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated with much more enthusiasm around here than Halloween. (This year we managed to bring along some treats to share in our hotel room but skipped Halloween proper. We figure we'll make it up to Kassie next year...wherever we might be.)