It's the Battle of Flowers today. To those who attend it's a festival of flower covered floats individually designed in vibrant colours and painstakingly build over several months. To others it's an afternoon off work and to the rest of us, it's sitting in traffic on the way to work as the floats are driven (soooo slowly) to the park to wait for the afternoon spectacular and then having to get home along different routes as the main road, Victoria Avenue, is closed for the parade. (I sound just like that old chap, what was his name? Arthur Askey? No that wasn't it. Mildew, or something I think his name was).Each year they appoint a Miss Battle and she is escorted by a Mr Battle. Last year this was Kyran Bracken, whose parents live here and who is over in the island putting together a dancing on ice show (I think that's what it is). He's just finished one, which I gather was excellent. This year Mr Battle is Christopher Biggins.
I've finally broken up for 17 days off work and it's such a relief, especially as my computer at work crashed just before I left, so typical, but I wasn't going to worry about it. I asked someone to tell the ICT department and left pronto. I had a back and shoulder massage at lunchtime as the company are subsidising these, so I thought I would make the most of the offer and pretty glad I was too. Bliss.
I've actually managed to reach 25% of novel #4, this is mainly thanks to Helen's 100 words per day blog. So I'd better get off to the shed and think of a few more words to type up.
11 comments:
Happy Battle Day, Debs! And enjoy your l-o-n-g break from the office. Snap! Am also re-reading Agatha Christies at the mo as have been ill for a couple of weeks and they're easy to read in bed. Amazed, second time round, how well she writes and how funny she is... Now want to write cosy crime novels - well, once I feel human again - please don't comment on that! One good thing about this is I can't eat so have shed pounds - bad thing is I now look like a more-haggard Mick Jagger...
Enjoy your holiday, hope you get to do all you want to. I enjoyed Agatha Christie as a child/teenager, might be good to go back to her again.
chris - I thought of you today especially as the weather was perfect. Sorry to hear you've not been well, I hope you're feeling much better very soon.
I'm loving the Agatha Christie books, they're fun and surprisingly easy to read. I can't imagine for a second that you could ever resemble Mick Jagger in any way though but wish that I could focus my brain to losing some pounds. The only ones I seem to lose are in the purse area rather than anywhere else.
cait o'connor - thanks, I'm hoping the weather stays fine and the children stop bickering. Don't want much, do I?
Your Battle of Flowers sounds rather fab....if your not working that is!! I love the fact that there is a Mr and Miss Battle but am slightly baffled as to why they chose Christopher Biggins!!
I hope you get loads of writing done and have a fab time off work.
C x
Poor Miss Battle, wondering which Kyran Hunkalike she'd get as her escort then being saddled with Biggins. He was probably a good laugh though and at least she wouldn't have had to worry about holding her stomach in all afternoon.
"Oh goodness, I'm never going to get my courgettes picked," wailed my colleague yesterday morning.
"The rain will stop by 2," I told her. "It's Battle of Flowers day."
She looked a bit confuzzled but I was right!
People should never underestimate the power of the Battle and its effect on t'weather.
Enjoy your time off work X
I've never heard Battle of the Flowers day, sounds brilliant and a great excuse to get out of work! Congrats on the 17 days off work and 25% - you're going great guns!
Hi Debs, Enjoy your freedom from work - I like your style - abandon computer and go for a massage!!!! Perfect start to a break! Well done on your 25% as well.
Oh I was wondering if you were trying to do a 'Spiral Skies' and get Christopher Biggins to come and comment on your blog. And then I decided; probably not.
Have a lovely break.
carol - I think they chose him as he's not offensive and quite likeable. A couple of years ago there was a right drama when someone booked Jodie Marsh!!! for the battle along with some singer chap who came second on XFactor or something. There was an outcry as she doesn't exactly depict the family atmosphere that the Battle is all about.
spiralskies - you're quite right, the weather always turns out well. It was windy and not at all promising first thing but glorious by the time of the Battle.
yvonne - it's all great fun, there's the night parade tonight with fireworks at the end.
novicenovelist - thanks, the massage was wonderful. I'm definately going to book myself in for another one when I'm back at the office.
jj - I hadn't thought of that, mind you I dont think he looks the type to use a computer.
A back and shoulder massage followed by a 17 day break – lovely. Enjoy your break and congrats on getting a quarter of the way through your novel. (Did you see how good I was at maths there? Percentages to fractions … I didn’t know I had it in me!)
annie bright - I slept better than I had done in months too after that massage. I must make sure I book another one. I'm impressed with your maths, figures have never been my strong point.
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