Fireworks and Comedy, with a Touch of Sadness

Last night was the now annual Maths Department Guy Fawkes fireworks on Druridge Bay beach (Northumberland). We arrived just before sunset to help with carrying wood, fireworks and barbecues and to help set things up in the light. After the frightneningly strong winds we've had this week the weather was relatively mild and the tide low. When it started to get dark we were treated to a fabulous sunset. Here is one of several photos I took from the sanddunes

Sam put on a fabulous display as usual, despite being hampered by the winds. For the past couple of years people have regularly been attending the pub quiz at the Lonsdale Pub in Jesmond. Every time the group has won the winnings have been put into a pot and that was used to buy fireworks and food for the evening. Here's a short movie of Sam's first explosions of the evening.

My camera keeps putting lines into shots when the light is low. Anyone any idea why? Is there something wrong with it. It sometimes puts darker lines in too.

We left the fireworks early to go and see Bill Bailey's Tinselworm show at the Newcastle Arena. It was a good performance. As you might imagine it wasn't a very intimate gig. Apparently it was the largest audience he's ever played to. Not entirely convinced that that was good for us. He is also playing Manchester and Sheffield to sold out arenas. Both those venues are much larger so we won't be staying the largest croud for long. Anyway, at least we got to see him.

The sad thing today is that my very good friend Cat's father passed away during the night. It wasn't unexpected but it's a sad end to what has been a very difficult and upsetting few months, if not years for the whole family. My thoughts and prayers are with them.

Things like that really make me appreciate having both our sets of parents around and in good health. Long may it last.