Tuesday just passed (23rd of June) was St. John’s Eve: Bonfire Night in this part of the country… 
Toasted marshmallows and baked potatoes were on the menu, as was carving the ends of long willows to hold the marshmallows while toasting, and a bit of plein air drawing! 
We sat out until late, in the warm, still evening, smelling of woodsmoke when we eventually put the small ones to bed. The three older boys stayed out; we could hear the low hum of boy-voices and laughter until almost midnight.
Ah, sweet summer!
I’ve never heard of St Johns Eve, sounds like a wonderful evening 🙂
Gorgeous photos, Emily. This is the first year of my life that I heard Bonfire Night called St. John’s Eve and now here it is again. I love the tradition and the voices talking into the night, lovely memory-making.
I never heard of it either until I moved here!!
It really was, Joanna. There are plans afoot for a weekly bonfire!!
never heard of this.. but its right up my street, nothing better that toasting marshmallows on a open fire… the crackling the smell,,, such an organic experience for the kiddies x it should be country wide x
It really is great, isn’t it Jolene, a totally sensory experience!
I always thought the bonfires were for Midsummer but is St. Johns Eve one of those pagan/christian amalgamation things?? Either way – any excuse to have a bonfire and stay out late huh?!
You have a very gorgeous family.
Yes, definitely an amalgamation, and seems quite a regional thing, only seen in pockets around the country. But yes, any excuse for a bonfire, lol!!
Lovely. We began to celebrate st Johns when we joined the Steiner School but I remember up in east Galway that it was being celebrated there too! A great tradition. Did ye jump the fire? apparently gets rid of any old nasties that might be hanging on to you! We loved it, the anticipation and the magic of it all. I let it pass here this year uncelebrated, darn it?!
x