18 - 24 June 2012

Jan Ware has rallied the village into some 'balsam bashing'. The invasive impatiens glandulifera with it's exploding seed pods is smothering our native flora. Mary and her school friends filled 22 bin bags with this Himalayan Balsam/Policeman's Helmet/Gnome's Hatstand/Kiss-me-on-the-mountain, and with such gusto that there could well have been a few rare species of orchid thrown in too.

11 - 17 June 2012

Elizabeth's delightful imprecision in her English language usage has given us another classic; when she's breathless and exhausted through over-exertion she claims to be 'out of tough'.

4 - 10 June 2012

Pomp and pageantry are part of the culture here. Fronleichnalem (Corpus Christi) celebrated on Thursday involves flags, cannons, the band, and a procession. Planned with precision to rival the Queen's Jubilee, Simon had a strategy meeting with the vicar the day before. Later and by chance, Simon learnt that the vicar had neglected to mention that the centrepiece of the procession is a life-size statue of Mary decorated with flowers (traditionally carried by 6 virgins). The statue was hastily found, erected, decorated, and, as if by magic four strapping young lads turned up to carry it on the day (we didn't ask if they were virgins). A centuries old tradition lives on despite the fact that Simon is Mesner. If the Madonna had not been present for the procession it would have been akin to forgetting to put the Queen on the balcony for the Jubilee.

28 May - 3 June 2012

According to the official geocaching (real-world outdoor treasure hunting game) website, the 'location placement should not cause unnecessary concern'. Justine was unnecessarily concerned when a good walk was ruined by three attempts to find the blasted little lunchboxes. Nothing was found, patience was lost.