"Can we have a bonfire? Can we? Can we? Can we have a bonfire?" The campaign is executed by Hatchling No.1, given that Hatchling No.2 doesn't yet have much of a vocabulary. But I'm sure Hatchling No.2 is the brains behind the operation. He's a pretty smooth operator that Hatchling No.2. Gee I hope he uses his talents for good and not evil in the years to come or we could all be in trouble.
How can you overcome cuteness powers like this?
By about lunchtime Union Jack has been worn down and with paper and matches in hand he takes the Hatchlings down the hill to what has become the bonfire 'sacred site'. Everybody collects sticks and bark, and for the next 500 hours we huddle around the bonfire marvelling at the joy and fascination a fire brings. Its better than any play centre, tv show or battery operated plastic toy for sure!
I suspect its the element of danger that does it. The kids know that fire is hot, and if they get too close or touch the wrong thing it is going to HURT. They haven't yet had to find out the hard way, for which I am very grateful.
In truth, they tend to the fire briefly and then spend the rest of the afternoon horsing around all over the block.
The other thing that happens when we have a bonfire is that people join in. Neighbours, dogs, nephews and other folk appear here and there. They throw a few sticks on our fire, have a chat, get chased by the smoke and then go on their merry way. Or they stay.
(Hatchling No.1 has inherited a condition known as 'the blurry gene')
After a while Union Jack's attention wanders and he finds himself at our neighbour's house performing some blokey activity like welding, or grinding - or something! Prysa and Hilly live next door - Prysa likes blokey activities, check him out.
Prysa likes our bonfires too.
(Can you guess who Hatchling No.1 inherited 'the blurry gene' from?)
The bonfire ritual is part of our fuel reduction policy in preparation for next summers' bushfire season. If we keep up the pace Union Jack has set so far our block will be ship shape by the summer.
Summer will be here before we know it and I haven't yet recovered psychologically from last fire season. May there never be another episode like that one.
But for now the smell of smoke in the air is comforting, and a signature of a Saturday afternoon well spent. Yes, I think for now we'll just enjoy it...
Jen x
LOL - that blurry gene is a tricky one to pass on. Unfortunately we have the red eye gene which seems to have at least partially appeared in young Lovett.
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