Happy Hallowe'en

Here's Jackie O'Lantern, wishing you all a Happy Hallowe'en. (I had to take the picture in dim light because there were ink marks on the pumpkin where we designed the layout.) Mary added the eyebrows--very unique!

Hallowe'en was quiet here, maybe 8 kids in total so now we have to eat lots of little chocolate bars. A much bigger deal here is Nov. 5, Bonfire Night (aka Guy Fawkes day). You probably know a bit of the story--he tried to blow up the Parliament buildings in London with gunpowder, was caught and hanged for treason. So I am not quite sure why they celebrate it every year, and the Brits I've talked to are vague on it as well. I guess kind of similar to the half-hearted explanation I've given to Americans who ask why we Canadians celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday in May. Ummmm...because we want a holiday I guess?

Mary and I went to a tea house in Bath on Sunday--that clotted cream and jam on scones could get seriously addictive! Then we went to the Thermal Spa--there is natural hot mineral water in Bath (hence, the name--the name is actually Bath Spa...and there is not only the University of Bath, where Mary goes, but a Bath Spa University as well. Whenever I hear that name, I always get the image of students wrapped up in towels, sitting in a steam room for their classes :-)

Anyways, any of you who plan to visit, bring a bathing suit (or a swimming costume, as they say here), because it is definitely a treat--rooftop open air pool, and one floor down, glass encased steam rooms that are so full of steam you can't even see across the room. Very relaxing! You can check it out at www.thermaebathspa.com.

This weekend the Bath International Film Festival starts so Mary and I are heading to films, plus we'll go to the cricket pitch to watch the fireworks Saturday night. I'll send along impressions of Bonfire Night after I've experienced it. For now, I will just say, "cheers", and be back again soon

Karen