Remember, remember..... to light the blue touch paper with a long taper, wearing protective gloves and a safety helmet and retire to a safe distance, preferably behind a large wooden fence until the firework has come to a full and complete stop. Just as well the rules are not quite so strict for sparklers or we'd never see them.

On bonfire night itself we joined Lucy and Andrew and family for a fireworks party, with the intrepid and suitably-clad Malcolm and Andrew doing the work with the long tapers.

On our way to Ipswich one weekend we called in on "old" friends Mark and Charity, whom we'd not seen since their wedding a few years ago. Since then they have had two children, and James and Matthew enjoyed playing with them for the afternoon.

It was good to catch up with news and meet the children, and for Malcolm and Mark to swap views on WiFi and VoIP services (apparently it'll all end in tears).

Our trip to Ipswich was, as well as seeing Bridget's parents, to attend the Baptism of John and Katharine's daughter, Susan, a very special occasion. The baptism was at the church that Bridget attended when she was young. Matthew made friends with the organist, and after the service we did hear the strains of "Mary had a little lamb" for a few seconds...
After the Baptism there was a little party at a local hall, where the many children played happily together whilst the adults chatted.