By: Blonde Two
On Sunday my sister (Blonde Sis) and I treated ourselves to pre-bimble cooked breakfast at the lovely Ullacombe Farm near Haytor http://www.ullacombefarm.co.uk/. As we were not planning to go far, this meant that we had not packed a picnic for our stroll up to Buckland Beacon. We were not hungry when we got there but somehow, sitting on top of a big rock, looking at lovely views induced an uncontrollable picnic-shaped craving and we decided to dig deep in our bags and pool our resources.
We found – one flask of sweet coffee, one box of dates, three Jelly Babies (of course) and half a bag of salt and vinegar crisps. Coming from a big family, we grew up used to eating whatever there was without asking too many questions and, as a result, were quite pleased with our mini-feast.
The picnic did throw up a few issues. We had to vote for one poor Jelly Baby to be bitten in half so that he could be shared (sorry Mr Green). We discovered that on a windy Dartmoor day, it is difficult to control a big crisp bag that only has a few crisps left in it. We also found out that sweet coffee is ok after a long hike but a bit much after a flattish half hour bimble.
It all became very strange when Blonde Sis decided to do an experiment with one of her dates (not the go to a restaurant, kiss/not kiss kind of date – that would be worrying). Her hypothesis was that dates will stick to granite tors for a prescribed amount of time. As I had forgotten my watch, the timing element of this experiment was going to prove tricky until we found that dates do not, in fact, stick to granite at all (nobel prize this way please).
Blonde sis has really done it now as I feel compelled to go for a walk and throw various items of food at a granite rock!
I am looking at this mornings porridge!
Just don’t try Weetabix whatever you do! From my experience with baby’s nappies, you would have a terrible job getting it off the rock afterwards.
Dear Blonde Two
I am afraid that it was the basis of the “Date Experiment” that failed. The mechanism should have been to masticate the date before testing its propensity to adhere to the rock.
Much in the same way that chewing gum would not stick to a rock if it was straight out of the packet but would stick to a rock once masticated.
However, a good experiment and don’t be put off by poor results!
CJ
Dear Charles
We will try your new suggested method next time we find ourselves in the vicinity of granite and dates. I am not sure, however, that we will be able to resist swallowing the dates once they have been chewed.
Many thanks
Blonde Two
Totally agree, too good to waste!
CJ
How come you only had 3 jelly babies in your rucksack? That’s a serious shortfall!
I think Blonde One had stolen the others!
We have an exciting piece of Jelly Baby news to tell you soon – watch this space (well the other space but you know what I mean).
I probably did steal the others, to be fair! But I have replaced them now!