November

November, what a horrible month. I don’t know anyone who enjoys spending it in the UK. The Saxons used to call this month Wynd Monath as it was now the cold winds started to blow. If you’ve been sensible you've booked yourselves a nice, warm, Caribbean cruise, but for all of us stuck in dear old Blighty there’s still plenty going on here to keep you entertained. You could……….

Soul-Caking
1st and 2nd of November
A variety of cake called Soul cakes are baked and taken door to door by children who exchange them for gifts of sweets and money, bringing good luck to both parties. It’s an old tradition that is now most popular in the West Midlands, form Coventry all the way up to Sheffield. (Although I live in the West Mids. and had never heard of this tradition before.

Bonfire Night
Nuff said, we all now about this one. Bonfires. Stuffy Guys. Fireworks. Guy Fawkes.

Tar-Barrel Racing
Ottery, St.Mary is internationally renowned for what is quite possibly the most insane activity I have ever seen. Tar- barrel racing! It’s an old custom, said to have originated in the 17th century where they put a barrel of tar on their backs and then......, in-fact no. Just check out this video below. These people are mental.



Turning the Devil's Stone

Quite possibly the most pointless British tradition I’ve ever read about, (apologies to residents of Shebbar in Devon, but come on!). On Guy Fawkes Night all the villagers turn over a six foot long stone under an ancient oak tree to ensure good luck for the next year, supposedly dropped there by the Devil after he was thrown out of Heaven. Then they go home. Hmmmmm.

So, if you have missed out on that last minute November deal will any of these famous traditions tempt you?

Happy cruising.