It's well under way now. Luckily the weather has stayed dry for us, and the bonfire is blazing merrily. Mr Penry, covered in smuts, is happily stoking the fire, inbetween playing his 'Seated one day at the organ' game. This has proved remarkably popular and we shall soon run out of whiskey, but not to worry, this is where the magic comes in and I shall just conjure up some more.

The bats have been pretty good so far, just the odd swoop or two, and the owls have been hooting like there's no tomorrow.

There is a line of apples hanging in the trees and the guests have just started having some food. I have joined in the fun with bobbing for apples in a bowl of water and if I find out who held my head under for ten seconds there is going to be trouble....

Mr Sarcophagus Jones has declined to join us, citing an acute attack of common sense, while Mrs Anubis Evans has her own cauldron to stir. Mog the Brick has put away his trowel and his cement mixer on the grounds that eggs play merry hell with his mortar...

There is a nice little area where you can do spells if you wish, and a wishing well where you can do wishes if you want.

The only blip so far is that Barney has, unbenknown to me, discovered the whereabouts of the toffee apples. I have scraped off most of the drool and thrown out the ones that look nibbled, but otherwise they're okay and if anyone would like one I have put the box on the bench near the window.

There is some scary story telling down near the stone circle - this is a great part of Halloween and not to be missed. Mr Penry has done his best to clear all the grass but do look out in case Barney has left any surprises about. You'll know if you tread in one. Tissues and a torch are available at the back door of the kitchen.

Anyone who would like to perform a pagan ritual is recommended to go up on the back terrace where it is dark and suitably spooky. There is loads of incense and a stock of logs up there for burning. Just remember to dowse the bonfire before you leave!

I think that's about all at the moment! Please let us know what you're doing at the party!

A couple of people have asked me what on earth the game 'Seated one day at the organ' entails. So I shall attempt to explain.

This is a game we devised when the children were little to amuse them. (Responsible Adults with no children in tow may add copious amount of whiskey/cider etc inbetween games. It is not compulsory but it does make you fall over more quickly.)

The game gets its title from Sir Arthur Sullivan's song, 'The Lost Chord'. Everyone begins it sitting down, and recites the first two lines of the song:
"Seated one day at the organ,
I was weary and ill at ease...."

The idea is that as you recite the lines so you do the actions - first by standing up, then sitting down while saying 'Seated'; then playing an imaginary keyboard for 'organ'; yawning and stretching while saying 'weary' and looking around nervously for 'ill at ease.' Depending how quickly you move (or how slowly you speak) you may not be able to fit everything in.

This is repeated (endlessly) getting quicker and quicker. Now you can see why the addition of alcohol could add to the 'fun'. For some reason our kids really loved it, it just got madder and madder....

A bit like me, really!

Well, the party preparations are done and all is ready here in Blogland. Since this is a magical party, it doesn't matter what time you drop in today, everyone will still be here.

THere is plenty to eat (veggie and non veggie) in the form of sausages,jacket potatoes, soup, toffee apples, parkin, gingerbread, sticky toffee pudding.

There is plenty to drink, including hot chocolate, cider, lemonade, cider, fruit juice, cider, and whiskey. You will all receive a courtesy broomstick to fly home on, so no problems with the breathalyser!

THere is a BIG bonfire courtesy of Mr Penry.

There will be traditional Halloween games - ducking and bobbing for apples, divination, plus Mr Penry's own invention "Seated one day at the Organ...."

We shall also sit in the dark and tell spooky stories in the hope of actually scaring someone s***less.

I'll see you all later!

Brightest blessings
Tylluan