"Mustn't be an old grump, but....."

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A lively little number, no doubt!

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So precautions are taken here every year for any trembling paws.

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As you can see we (the cats & I) are ready for anything they may throw at us. (Except eu regulations).

We have 'battened down the hatches' for the next three nights, whilst those with more money than sense can watch it (and their money) go up in smoke!

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The full spectrum of toxic nasties will shower down from firework displays all over the country tonight. Aluminium provides the brilliant whites, antimony sulphide produces the glittering effects, carcinogenic copper compounds produce bright blues, barium nitrate gives off glittering greens but a poisonous smoke that can cause breathing problems and bright red colours are sadly accompanied by strontium which can cause bone disorders. The list of hazards to people, pets and the environment goes on.

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Mustn't be an old grump, must we?

So a wee bit of history.

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Firework are said to owe their existence to a Chinese monk named Li Tian, who lived near the city of Liuyang in Hunan province, about 1,000 years ago. He is said to have come up with the idea of inserting gunpowder into the hollow of a bamboo stick: when thrown into a fire, the gases produced by the ignited powder caused an immense build-up of pressure and blasted the tube apart.

The Chinese believed that the bang was powerful enough to scare off evil spirits, and incorporated firecrackers into many of their religious events.

For many people, the noise is as much a part of Bonfire Night as the visuals. There are a number of fireworks that are made specifically to create noise. “Hummers” are tiny tubes, sent spinning into the air with such force that they shred their outer coating, whizzing and buzzing as they go. Or the “whistle”, which creates a high-pitched scream as the powder burns down a long tube.

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For many others this whole week’s misguided,

medieval, attempt to “scare off evil spirits”

is a period of unkind and unnecessary suffering.

Not only for the frail and nervous,

the babies and elderly trying to sleep,

but also for those amongst us that have no voice to object.

PS I took that photo above a long time ago. I had just treated myself to a new duvet and as I struggled to get it into the cover, Hazel joined in the fun. She was not hiding from fireworks as I wouldn't have used flash had she been frightened.

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