More autumnal colours, and more autumnal coats!

Hello everyone

I’m rather wondering whether November is an Autumn month or a winter one. It’s not as yet freezing cold, but we are having far cooler days with a lot of grey skies and wet weather. But when the sun is out and we have blue sky revealing the gorgeous colours in your trees, I think this has to be still Autumn.

Here’s a shot of Lewes taken from one of the towers of Lewes Castle, which was built in the late 11th Century.

The photo was taken in October and the trees are not yet up to the standard of Canada’s glorious display, but they were beginning their colour change and leaf fall. Now, these trees have yellow, orange and red leaves, which is a lovely sight.  And we are having quite mixed weather of some cold days but, mostly, it is really mild for the time of year.

Mind you, it wasn’t always thus. Past Novembers (I am talking decades ago) were often absolutely freezing cold. I remember going to Lewes for their 5th November shenanigans (which Lewesians call, Bonfire) and whilst our backs were frozen, our fronts were hot. This is because all the participants hold burning torches plus, do not forget the select few who carry burning crosses – there are 17 of these. Btw, don’t be horrified at the idea of burning crosses, as these are in honour of the 17 Protestant martyrs burnt at the stake right here in Lewes in the time of ‘Bloody Mary’ when Protestants were seen as the enemy of the Catholic religion. Every year Lewesians remember those martyrs through an extraordinary rendition of remembrance from 7 local bonfire societies. Each society parades around their area, meet up for a grand parade and then process through Lewes to their bonfire site, where there is a huge fireworks display, and the burning of effigies of politicians, and, not done now (bar one society) but before yes – the Pope.

The effigies are a sight to behold and while last year these were mostly of Trump and Putin, this year the effigies (or tableaux – commonly known as tabs) were: our disgraceful local water company featured twice; as did Andy Burnham, our new Prime Minister; then one tab of Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA (the one who gave Trump a golden something or other) and last but not least; the ghastly Farage. Just look at the detail! There’s all the money, and the bitcoin, and, not least, Count Binface!

All tabs are burnt to nothing on the night.

As I’ve said, we watched it several times many years ago when the children were young and not living in Lewes – when the weather was freezing cold. Btw, outsiders are not encouraged now. To keep the crowds of thousands down to a reasonable size no trains run to Lewes, most roads are closed to all cars and buses, and if any cars are not moved by their owners, they are impounded pretty quickly. Local hotels and Airbnbs are booked 2 years in advance.

We have watched it once on the streets when we first moved to Lewes.

I’m wearing my Helly Hansen mac to keep me dry, as it was very much needed because of the pouring rain. The Bonfire boys and girls do their Bonfire no matter what the weather. But now we watch it on Rocket FM – available on YouTube – it’s slightly less deafening!

Wiki says with regard to Lewes and its Bonfire, think of a combination of Halloween and Mardi Gras because all the 7 societies have different ways of dressing from many different  types of striped jumpers

Here’s a Bishop with 2 participants (not sure what they are) leaving our Close (where we live) to take part in the parade. Note the slightly burnt edge to the Bishop’s regalia. That’s because this Bishop would have stood on a dais with the crowd throwing lit fireworks at him.

Bonfire is a very, very big tradition in Lewes and is the one day that this upper crust, liberal, and indeed, quite radical town goes completely feral.

Regarding the wonderful Autumnal colours that abound this year (apparently all due to the hot weather we’ve had) I have been so pleased that the colour of the moment seems to be brown and burgundy. I don’t have any burgundy colours in my wardrobe. But I do have a lot of brown clothes now. And I am always picking up this coat to wear.

It’s had many compliments, especially as I wear this broach with it, which enhances the entire outfit.

The broach was gifted to me by a friend and I absolutely love it – thank you so much 🙂

The coat btw, is a charity shop winner but, astonishingly, it is a UK size 24 (that would be an EU52! and a US 2xL) which doesn’t seem to matter and only enhances its loose casual look.  However, perhaps I should have worn a longer coat as the skirt is near maxi. But while, at the moment, I pick the brown coat it has no lining, so I don’t wear it in the truly cold weather.

When I shall probably wear this coat – a lot!

I absolutely love this coat mainly because it is so long. This type of coat will need a bold hat.

Or this one.

Btw, I’m still finding wearing jeans a bit of a novelty.

Note the motif woven into this cardigan – it’s cats!

That’s all for now, but do tell if you still celebrate November 5th. It used to be a very big occasion in all households around the UK. As a youngster there would be scruffy little boys asking for ‘a penny for the guy’ on nearly every street where I lived. Has anyone seen that lately? I think Halloween is the big event now – am I right?

With love PennyX

P.S. I haven’t finished talking about coats! Another blog will be coming soon on a recent, rather stunning find!