Mangold-Wurzels Matter!
Hellooo,
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How are you today….perhaps, as it is Friday, you are feeling good.
Hopefully you have the weekend off, to spend in whatever way pleases you best.
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We do not have any particular plans, as big H is very tired at the moment, but the world is definitely our lobster!
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We both got up at the same time this morning to be greeted by a reasonable, although damp day, which we instantly improved by the simple trick of having thick granary toast with lashings of Marmite on it.
This will have to be paid for on my part, because of my wheat intolerance problem, but there are worse things than looking somewhat pregnant for a period of the day.
I don’t indulge myself that way very often but I cannot stand to do without toast for too long.
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By now you have probably noticed my strange fascination with the peculiar rites of my native country.
During the past months you have had everything from worm charming to black pudding throwing to conkers, but there is still more to come.
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What about the plight faced by the organisers of the ‘Sherston Mangold Hurl’ this year.
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They had been in a quandary because the mangold harvest in the village had been particularly bad this year for various reasons .
The poor season had caused a severe shortage and the local villagers were only able to produce about 30 roots.
This left a shortfall, as about 270 more mangolds were needed.
The competition would need to be cancelled without 300 of them.
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This was very important for the success of the competition, as swedes (turnips) are not a desirable substitute for the desirable Yellow Eckendorf Mangold.
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The situation was so desperate that nationwide appeals were made to farmers who could provide these elusive vegetables in sufficient quantity.
What a relief for everyone when a Gloucestershire farmer from a place near to Wotton under Edge, who had a fine mangold crop, took pity on them and made them an offer that they could not refuse!
Phew…..disaster averted at the last moment!
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Mangold Hurling Competition 2009.
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You will be pleased to hear that the men of Sherston were thrilled to win the competition.
This wiped out the ignominy of being beaten last year by a team from Suffolk.
I believe that a gentleman named Jock Walker made the best hurl and was rewarded by being crowned as the Mangold King.
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You will probably need to sit down and breathe slowly now after all that excitement!
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And don’t worry about wastage or cruelty to mangolds either because this year the flying vegetables are being converted into wine.
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Don’t say that I don’t bring you exciting stuff.
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Have yourselves a great day…. and take care to avoid vegetable based missiles.
J,x
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