The Boy and The Coconut Tree

Greetings from Barcelona on the San Juan holiday. Last night was crazy. It is a night of fireworks and bonfires and cakes called Cocas.   Cocas De San Juan Here the idea of health and safety takes a backseat, kids as young as 3 were running around with fireworks in our street, setting off rockets and standing right next to them. I suspect the local A&Es were busy last night and I love fireworks but every time one of those kids let off a firework I cringed, as an uncle and teacher I dreaded what could happen as the parents stood around drinking beer looking on. Maybe I am too British about it, too boring but fireworks are wonderful to watch but even as an adult I would not feel comfortable handling them. The fireworks were going off until 3am at least and from 5 floors up the view was spectacular and from that distance I wouldn't see if any of the kids had their fingers blown off etc though I did hear a few screams and couldn't tell if they were of delight or pai...

It is Halloween on October 31 st , it has always been on October 31 st . Try telling that to the crazy people I encountered on my evening out in London last night (October 27 th ).   On my train journey to central London, people were dressed as Vampires, Zombies, blood stained nurses and doctors (though they could easily have been real and simply finishing a shift in A&E). There was a woman dressed as a crazed zombified Bette Davis, a guy dressed as a vicar with blood stained face yet there were no Jimmy Saville costumes? Too soon perhaps? This is a little gripe about the need to celebrate everything early.   Halloween is one example but Guy Fawkes Night is another. There have been fireworks going off in my area for weeks now and I doubt there will be any left by November 5 th and as for bonfires, this area of London has seen enough arson and fire so you would wonder if the locals of SE London are giving Bonfire night a miss? And Christmas, well Oxford Str...