Well, what an exciting weekend! Firstly huge congratulations to Sharon, Wayne and Emily on the birth of baby Lee on Friday morning. He is truly beautiful.

Secondly, thanks to Gwyne and Paula for a fantastic bonfire festival. When we were invited to watch the fireworks, little did we know that in Rye Bonfire Night is a full on festival. The town was packed with people cosied up in big coats and hats, trip-trapping from pub to pub in the best of moods. We started off in a pub being patronised by the smiley faced singer from Keane. (For those who know he has an alcohol problem do not worry, he was drinking orange juice, I checked) I was very surpised how tall he is - he is a giant! We stepped outside when the parade came through the town and watched as the various local bonfire societies, all dressed as pirates danced, skipped and held their flaming torches aloft, followed by burning boats, dragons and finally, an ambulance. The whole of Rye was alive with music and dancing and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire event. We then savoured a drink in The Mermaid, apparently the pub of choice for Johnny Depp when he is at home in Rye. I waited all evening to see him and Vanessa sharing fireworks with the kids, but alas, no show. The rest of the evening was spent in different watering holes, before finally settling in a place where the entire end was full of drummers from the parade, dozens of them banging away on their drums, blowing whistles and shouting. It was just fantastic and I could feel it in every bit of my body, hair and all. Imagine my pride when I found out they were from Barking!

So, a great weekend, even if our heads are suffering for it a little today.

I am just left wondering how I become part of the Rye Bonfire Society - what fun that would be!