Halloween Part 1

Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and paucity, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. It is thought to have originated with ancient Celtic festivals, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All Saints’ Day, incorporated some of the Celtic traditions. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve, later shortened to Halloween.

And so were the origins of the highly commercialised event we celebrate today.  It was the kids first real Halloween celebration and they were not disappointed. 

It started with getting dressed up.  Funnily enough the weather was terrible.  Cold and rainy, and while that would quite easily have stopped Steve and I, it did nothing to dampen the excitement and enthusiasm of witch Emily and horrendously ugly faced skeletons Daniel and Jeremy.

Armed with buckets they set off.  Only problem was our hotel was right on the A7 and there were very few houses around.  Not to worry though, the 7 or 8 that we visited were stocked up and ready.  Out came the sweeties, and the pound coins and the pre-prepared Halloween wrapped lolly bags.  The kids cleaned up.  

Steve and I waited in the background in the cold and rain, but were cheered by the warm and generous reception our wee ghouls got as they knocked upon each door.

Then it was back to the hotel to examine the takings....

Trick or Treating