pumpkin illumination

[Jimmy]

I usually sacrifice a pumpkin to Halloween and carve out the usual face.
I used to put in a candle (tea light) to illuminate.
This smelt awful and generally ruined the pumpkin and it ended up on the compost heap.
Of late I now use a bike rear light.
One of those you buy in the pound shops.
For example
My Cycle 5 Led Back Bike Light

On the flash setting it will last ages and gives the required eerie effect.
When Halloween is over you can the use the light on your bike and make soup from the pumpkin.

Jimmy

[Nicos]

I grew up carving swedes for Halloween...the smell of baked/charred swede is part of the moment for me!
Having carved a pumpkin or two recently, I know what you mean about wasting a pumpkin -I was surprised how quickly they shrank and collapsed with just the heat of one nightlight never mind 2or3 !

Interesting idea Jimmy!

[Jimmy]

Yes when I was a youngster it was always swedes, smelt even worse than pumpkins.
Only of late has it been pumpkins !
Jimmy

[Jay-ell]

Well, it was always traditionally yellow turnips (swedes) in the North, Scotland and Ireland. Settlers from these places in the American Colonies found that the pumpkin was easier to carve.

I used to use drills, hammers and chisels to carve out the neeps and the smell of the wax, smoke and slowly cooking turnip is still evocative of Halloween.

[nickdub]

I can see how that would have advantages, but isn't it a bit of a problem having a large pumpkin attached to to your bike ?

[Jay-ell]

I can see how that would have advantages, but isn't it a bit of a problem having a large pumpkin attached to to your bike ?

Shouldn't be a problem

[Nicos]

^^^^ splurts tea all over screen!

[rary]

Of late I now use a bike rear light.
On the flash setting it will last ages and gives the required eerie effect.
When Halloween is over you can the use the light on your bike and make soup from the pumpkin.Jimmy

I have grown the pumpkins, does this mean I have to go and buy a bike now

I grew up carving swedes for Halloween...the smell of baked/charred swede is part of the moment for me!
Having carved a pumpkin or two recently, I know what you mean about wasting a pumpkin -I was surprised how quickly they shrank and collapsed with just the heat of one nightlight never mind 2or3 !

Interesting idea Jimmy!

Yes Nicos, the power of smell can quickly take you back to your childhood sadly some of us go further back than others

Well, it was always traditionally yellow turnips (swedes) in the North, Scotland and Ireland. Settlers from these places in the American Colonies found that the pumpkin was easier to carve.

I used to use drills, hammers and chisels to carve out the neeps and the smell of the wax, smoke and slowly cooking turnip is still evocative of Halloween.

Now I need to go and find out what evocative means

[Jimmy]

Now I need to go and find out what evocative means

evocative, is that not of evacuation !

Oops was that a joke, tut tut.
Jimmy