And decent spend-up on the part of the Wellington City Council. I'm genuinely impressed that I could see half the display from the South end of the Wellington Airport. And technically, I got to see the rest of it reflected against the gunpowder smoke.
I also got to see the local south coast fireworks aswell, and sip some Laphraoig, and not have to worry about numerous crowds, etc. And somehow, having airplanes landing and ships passing in the Cook Stright just added to the effect. Big ups to the citizens of the southern suburbs too, they put on a show like fire daisies against the surrounding hills.
I've started to relate to Guy Fawkes as a sort of promise of summer ritual. Invariably the weather sucks (windy this time, fortunately no rain) and it stays light far too long to get a good amount of time with the fireworks. But it (with Labour weekend) signifies the end of the interminable holiday-free winter and early spring months, and the beginning of mass celebration and warmth.
Typically, antipodeans do it backwards. Have the celebration of light about 6 weeks before the longest day of the year. But it seems fitting somehow.
p.s. I decided that breaking out the barbeque was stupid given the wind (and the reasonably high chances of setting fire to the neighbours house) so I brought in the hunk of iron I use to cook on the barbeque, cleaned it up and stuck it on two of the elements on the stove. I'm still surprised how much I like making frying things difficult. But there you go. Happiness on cast iron. : )
Posted by carla at November 5, 2003 07:44 PM