Mud and candles.

Today, I went to a Carnival in my home town. It was just like any other year, too sunny to walk without beginning to sweat. However, as it is England, I didn't miss the rain completely. 

Let me take you back to the start of my day. I woke up at 7 wondering if I had school or not (a question that is getting more and more hard to actually answer). I did my makeup while listening to Hamilton (a musical that has everything you want from a broadway show and more!) 

After listening to My Shot for the hundredth time, I left my house to meet Rhianne. Then, we walked into town and sat infront of the library with my other friend H. A little while later, Seraphina arrived and we got somewhat comfortable before the parade came into view. Of course, it was at this moment that the heavens decided to open and boy did it tip it down. Fortunately, we found cover unlike the rest of the town. When the parade finally passed us, all the people were drenched but, in the spirit of the town, smiles could be seen wherever you looked. 

Now, it seems to have become somewhat of a tradition for one float in particular to carry water guns and aim for anyone in their path. Luckily, I didn't get the bulk of the attack but Rhianne ended up soaked and it was at this point she realised her phone was in her back pocket (I don't think she was too amused). 

Back to the parade. The theme was sports and here is a handful of things that I saw: the first Olympics, a Quidditch match, a mascot waving from the roof of a car and random princesses dotted about for a charity (unfortunately, the name has escaped me). After the last float, we joined the procession and made our way onto the field. It was muddy but bearable.

The first thing I saw was a plethora of stalls, from one selling knitted princesses to one for Nando's which was giving out vouchers if you used their hashtag while there. While walking past these stalls wondering where to spend my money, my friends and I were ushered into this one tent which was selling the nicest, cutest candles I have ever seen. They informed us that if we were to use #therobinsnestcandleco and post a picture of their products on social media we could pick up a free candle... Rosemary sure does smell nice. Next, I went on a tombola and won a Spider-Man mug and socks. The perfect prize for me. I also gave one of my tickets to Rhianne and she happened to win a candle holder. How coincidental. 

Gradually, we made our way to the end of the field where the fun fair was slowly sinking into the mud. I went on two rides. The Waltzer with H and Sera and The Sizzler with Rhianne. Both were equally fun but the leg strength you need to keep yourself from crushing your companion on the Sizzler is extreme. Sera and H also decided they wanted to ride Crazy Shake. A ride that shakes and spins you in an attempt to unseat you and make you look like I fool. I don't like rides like that, I need some kind of restraint. A seatbelt would do.

After going on these rides, we headed towards food. Burgers, Slushies, Nachos; you name it they had it. I got a burger which tasted delicious and paid £3 for 4 donuts. Shhh don't tell my mum. Wait, I almost forgot! While travelling towards the delights ahead I ended up 2inches deep in a muddy puddle. I then had to trudge through what I thought was the safe path when in fact Rhianne, Sera and H had been the ones to choose correctly. Basically, I ended up with wet socks and mud splattered jeans. 'Twas not fun at all.

Food in hand, we carried on walking around for another half an hour before Sera, H and I decided we had had enough Carnival for one day. Rhianne stayed on the field with another friend and the rest of us began the boiling walk back to our houses. Let me tell you, carrying two 2litre bottles of fizzy liquid while walking in the weird weather we are having in England at the moment wasn't ideal; It took me a good 20 minutes to cool down, when I finally walked through my front door.

To sum today up, I shall use five words:

Hot, Wet, Fun, Friends and Mud.

Thank you for reading,

Haynes.