Burning Down The House....New Year 2010

What is it about a good bonfire that draws people like a moth to a light? We hosted a New Years bonfire at the farm again this year. You know the good old Kiwi one that involves waiting until dark, big logs, a dab of diesel, fireworks, family, close friends and what seems like a dozen or so kids tearing around the place.

This year we had better preparation, moving some key logs into place to bulk out the trimmings already in place. A couple of smaller "candles" were added to the mix my brother. By standing them on their end 10 feet away from the main fire, cross cutting with a chain saw they provided a light whilst burning from the inside out.

Add in a carefully stashed box of fireworks and voila....a good night for all. Wine, a few beers and a few close friends sitting around telling lies makes for an awesome introduction to the New Year. Of course there is a constant watch on the smaller kids to make sure they do not fall in the fire, the thistle patch or get too close to the fireworks and with the older ones ensuring they keep out of the beer rations, but by and large it is a fairly relaxed and safe environment although not one sponsored by ACC.

Of course once the New Year rings in, the flames die down, the oldies head back to the warmth of the house and the bulk of the scone grabbers keel over with tiredness the real lies can be told over a few tipples. Starting 2010 on a log in the heart of South Canterbury with a few stories about the year thats been and the year ahead whilst squinting into the embers is somehow pretty therapeutic.

Is this a Kiwi thing or the same around the world? To me it is right up there with swimming at Otaio Gorge, just part of our New Zealand life.

Love those summer holidays.