Anniston 4 July 2024 - Fireworks and other wasteful things

The world in America is different today, shops have limited opening hours. The place we tried to go to for lunch was heaving. So we headed to Whataburger. This was one of three choices offered by our host.  It was his least favourite, but democracy has a role to play in every family, so off we went - 3 votes for, 1 against and 2 abstentions.  It was nice enough, but there was a huge amount of plastic waste. The trays containing the food are great quality and just dumped in the rubbish (trash) after use - maybe 'whatawaste' instead of WhataBurger.

After lunch, we were driven around JSU, and some of Robert's childhood / student haunts.  It is fascinating to hear his stories.  Then we drove out to Chimney Peak Lookout tower.  On the way saw deer and turkeys on the ‘country’ road.

The view from Chimney Peak Lookout tower

We then went out again to see the fireworks at 9pm. As we have in previous years, in other places, we watched from well away from the main display. We are in a car park (parking lot) near a church, and have to select our spot carefully to see through the trees. There are quite a few others around, the atmosphere is jovial and friendly.

In the UK, the general election is going well. The exit poll is predicting a labour landslide.

The video is 20 seconds from the middle of the display. The finale is truly amazing, but by then I was 'in the moment'.

Now, I am suspecting that my illness was not from the vaccination, as Jo has stayed in the house and is sleeping because she is not feeling well. 

4 July 
Just this year, I have heard of Native Americans, in particular, who do not celebrate Independence Day, because it did not give them independence.  There are others, too, who find themselves in that category - descendants of slaves, for example. This is just another one of those things that divides us. In my earlier life, the complaint against fireworks was always the waste of money - which in one sense it is. Of course, we do need something to bring us together as our society seems more fractured every year.

Half Term Escape 7 - in to battle

Battle Abbey

A quiet day for us today.  I decided to go to Battle Abbey, Jo came with me.  The first hurdle is English Heritage trying to sell you membership.  It's getting a bit old, I'm not going to buy one because I don't know when I'll use it next.  I was last at the abbey when I was about 12 years old.  My memories are foggy, at best.

My impressions today were that the presentations need quite a bit of TLC.  Some are difficult to read because the words have rubbed off, and some are impossible to read.  These are 21st century problems, the ruins of the abbey, along with my fascination with the battle it commemorates, remain.  We struggled with the audio guides, too, so abandoned those.  The view from the top of the Abbey is amazing.  The Battle Museum at the other end of the High Street is small, but well-organised, and staffed with enthusiastic volunteers.  From there I learnt that the gunpowder for the November 5th incident was manufactured in Battle.  They also have a 200-year-old effigy of Guy Fawkes.

The bonfire, before it was lit

In the evening, we went up the road to Cowbridge fireworks, where the bonfire almost didn't start in the torrential rain.  We got soaked, but we all enjoyed the show. Yes, even the small boy who doesn't like loud bangs.