When Americans Attack: Fourth of July in England

Last night we had a party for Independence Day, and someone (a highly educated pyromaniac) brought armaments fireworks. Anyone traveling down the M25 surely saw them rise over the pasture behind our house, and must have wondered if the Americans were launching an invasion of southern England.

These were no puny Roman candles. With Diwali and Guy Fawkes providing a market, the Brits really know their stuff when it comes to selling fireworks.

We didn't get good photos of the amazing sky display, as rockets shot through the trees, but from the ground the setup was pretty awesome.

 

Fortunately, my dog is not afraid of fireworks. We actually had to stop her from going up to them to see what was making that interesting sulphur smell.

Daughter Number Two made cupcakes, and decorated them in the shape of a flag. I arranged the red, white and blue flowers, which is pretty much the extent of my flower arranging abilities.

We played croquet, and decided the one who ends up with the ball wins.

Ground zero: So this is what was making all those interesting smells!

Comments

[cookiecrumb]

So American! And yet you now call trucks "lorries." xxoo

[Meryl]

Very cool! Sounds like you had a great 4th!

[Rodney]

Fortunate for Bailey she's rational enough not to get freaked by all the noise, or perhaps your limited display was insufficient to truly frighten her. Here, in what could possibly be confused with Bahgdad on a quiet day, animals both domestic and wild suffered greatly. We left Amber in charge of the cats with the radio on at near full volume to attend a gathering in the south valley. (Amazed that people who regularly complain they haven't the resources to adequately care for their families can spend literally $Hundreds on illegal pyrotechnics). The cats seemed to have weathered the onslaught, but Amber had symptoms of stress for 2 days.

[KathyF]

Poor Amber! Too bad she doesn't share Bailey's fascination for fireworks.