This year was Fit and Happy Outdoors 4th Halloween, and the suspense was killing me. The wonderful location we had used in the past years had been closed down this summer.

Apparently we were not the only ones who loved the circular barbecue area in Burgess Park. This summer, parties had been a daily occurence in Burgess Park, and not all of them had been so quiet as ours. Many came with enormous sound installations, and it had become such a nuisance, that park management had been forced to close down the area closest to the surrounding houses.

I had been optimistic to find a solution but on the morning of the party, I still didn’t know where we would be. Two lovely gentlemen helped us out: Park warden David Bass came up with a wonderful secret location and Rupert Hill of the Burgess Park Cricket Academy allowed us to use the Tigers’ kitchen and toilets. Steph lend me her beautiful firepit and Anita did some last minute shopping and baked a wonderful ginger cake.

Finally, all the preparations were ready. At 6.30 pm a group of frightening looking Nordic Walkers was ready to go. The Sun Angel, who had looked after Fit and Happy Outdoors so well in this past year, welcomed everyone. Most participants had really made an effort and the group looked spectacular with all the little twinkly lights. David and Eddie led the group up and down hills, through woods, gardens and cemetaries. Eyes glowed up out of the dark, the lights on our poles made sure we didn’t stumble.

Finally back at Chumleigh gardens cafe, and still no one knew where the party was going to be. A gate, and one more gate, and a fire doomed up out of the darkness. Lampions, light sticks and little lights led the way towards the fire and our traditional Pumpkin Soup and Chilli con Carne. Anita’s ginger cake was wonderfully moist and fluffy. And the party wouldn’t have been complete without marshmallows on the fire!

Thank you all for making it such a wonderful evening!