Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot.
Well, it's Guy Fawkes night this evening. Some people will burn an Effigy of Guy Fawkes the traitor, others will burn an effigy of Guy Fawkes the unfortunate hero. Others will get roaringly drunk and act as a danger to both themselves and all those around them for no reason in particular.
Which brings me rather neatly to where I'm going tonight. In a fit of something (Stupidity, bravado? I don't know) I'm going to the Tar barrels.
'But Pig' I hear you say, 'whatever is this Tar barrels thing of which you speak?'
Well, I'm glad you asked me that question.
There are many strange and quirky traditions in this sceptred isle. Morris dancing, Mummer's plays, Cheese rolling (Which to be fair, I really want to have a go at, despite how dangerous it is
) and the Tar barrels to name but a few. In a small village approximately 10 miles from the piteous burgh which I find myself living in, there is a village known as Ottery St Mary. During the summer, it's a haven for tourists who enjoy walking along the banks of the river Otter, sampling some of the local beers and meads, buying lace, or buying assorted tat that's been imported from China by the unscrupulous tourist industry, bumper stickers, plated teaspoons with a Devon logo superglued onto the top, you know, that type of thing.
But on guy Fawkes night, one of the curious traditions rears it's head. Many men of the village (and shockingly there is a children's event too) get a bit tipsy, and pick up a wooden barrel which has been soaked in tar, they carry the barrel on their back which is then promptly set alight. The men then run through the town carrying this burning barrel. As far as I'm aware, there is no goal that these men are trying to get to, the streets of Ottery are thronged with people, and these nutters with the barrels also seem to purposfully run into the crowds.
'I see pig' I once more hear you say, 'this must be an important tradition if this dangerous event is still allowed to be held'
Well, the thing about the Tar barrels is that no one can remember what it's all about!! there are many possible reasons why such lunacy is allowed to exist, some say that it harkens back to the time when the plague blighted the land, and the flaming barrels were used to cleanse the town. Some say it started in the 17th Century, others believe the tradition is thousands of years old, a pagan ritual. Others don't care and think it's a laugh. This is where I'm going tonight. It's going to be cold, wet and crowded, I'm not going to be able to buy a drink from any of the pubs in the village, they'll be too busy to get to the bar. Pickpockets will be rife and there are always casualties at this event. So all in all, it should be an interesting night.
In other news, I'm off to Manchester on monday for a meeting (And when I say meeting, I mean company sponsored piss up) I'm a little apprehensive, as I've started to get some attention from one of my female team mates, and I know exactly how drunk I'm going to get, and I also know what I'm like when I get that drunk
I also have to sort out this whole tagging thing don't I? Well, after long and careful deliberation, I tag toofastforlove. Sorry dude, but I can't be a plague bearer all my life
This week, I have been mainly listening to:
Eagles of Death metal - Peace Love Death Metal
Alice in chains - Dirt & Unplugged
Monster Magnet - Greatest hits
Snuff - Flibbidydibbidydob
Danzig - Lucifuge
And I have read:
The Aeneid by Virgil
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot.
Well, it's Guy Fawkes night this evening. Some people will burn an Effigy of Guy Fawkes the traitor, others will burn an effigy of Guy Fawkes the unfortunate hero. Others will get roaringly drunk and act as a danger to both themselves and all those around them for no reason in particular.
Which brings me rather neatly to where I'm going tonight. In a fit of something (Stupidity, bravado? I don't know) I'm going to the Tar barrels.
'But Pig' I hear you say, 'whatever is this Tar barrels thing of which you speak?'
Well, I'm glad you asked me that question.
There are many strange and quirky traditions in this sceptred isle. Morris dancing, Mummer's plays, Cheese rolling (Which to be fair, I really want to have a go at, despite how dangerous it is
) and the Tar barrels to name but a few. In a small village approximately 10 miles from the piteous burgh which I find myself living in, there is a village known as Ottery St Mary. During the summer, it's a haven for tourists who enjoy walking along the banks of the river Otter, sampling some of the local beers and meads, buying lace, or buying assorted tat that's been imported from China by the unscrupulous tourist industry, bumper stickers, plated teaspoons with a Devon logo superglued onto the top, you know, that type of thing.
But on guy Fawkes night, one of the curious traditions rears it's head. Many men of the village (and shockingly there is a children's event too) get a bit tipsy, and pick up a wooden barrel which has been soaked in tar, they carry the barrel on their back which is then promptly set alight. The men then run through the town carrying this burning barrel. As far as I'm aware, there is no goal that these men are trying to get to, the streets of Ottery are thronged with people, and these nutters with the barrels also seem to purposfully run into the crowds.
'I see pig' I once more hear you say, 'this must be an important tradition if this dangerous event is still allowed to be held'
Well, the thing about the Tar barrels is that no one can remember what it's all about!! there are many possible reasons why such lunacy is allowed to exist, some say that it harkens back to the time when the plague blighted the land, and the flaming barrels were used to cleanse the town. Some say it started in the 17th Century, others believe the tradition is thousands of years old, a pagan ritual. Others don't care and think it's a laugh. This is where I'm going tonight. It's going to be cold, wet and crowded, I'm not going to be able to buy a drink from any of the pubs in the village, they'll be too busy to get to the bar. Pickpockets will be rife and there are always casualties at this event. So all in all, it should be an interesting night.
In other news, I'm off to Manchester on monday for a meeting (And when I say meeting, I mean company sponsored piss up) I'm a little apprehensive, as I've started to get some attention from one of my female team mates, and I know exactly how drunk I'm going to get, and I also know what I'm like when I get that drunk
I also have to sort out this whole tagging thing don't I? Well, after long and careful deliberation, I tag toofastforlove. Sorry dude, but I can't be a plague bearer all my life
This week, I have been mainly listening to:
Eagles of Death metal - Peace Love Death Metal
Alice in chains - Dirt & Unplugged
Monster Magnet - Greatest hits
Snuff - Flibbidydibbidydob
Danzig - Lucifuge
And I have read:
The Aeneid by Virgil
VIEW 7 of 7 COMMENTS
deathmagnetic:
Have a great night - I was going to a display but it's pissing down up here! Too soft is the cry! And "Down In A Hole" on AIC Unplugged is one of the most moving songs I've heard in years - awesome! 
deathmagnetic:
I have to agree that Megadeth were very good at Download, as were Anthrax, Sabbath, and loads more - but the absolute, hands down, can't believe how good, fun time, wasn't expecting it at all best performer there was Billy Idol! I was genuinely gobsmacked as to how good he (and Steve Stevens) were! Rockin!