Today is Shrove Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, which is known in England as "Pancake Day". Here, it has long been customary to eat pancakes on the day before Lent begins, as eggs, milk & sugar are among the rich foods that are often given up for Lent. On Pancake Day there are
Pancake Races held in villages and towns across the United Kingdom. The tradition is said to have originated when a housewife here was so busy making pancakes that she lost track of time until she heard the church bells ringing for the pre-Lenten service...and she raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake! Today, pancake racers in fancy dress (costumes) run a course while carrying -- and simultaneously flipping -- a pancake in a frying pan.
At today's race here in Horsham, racers also had to stop mid-course to sprinkle powdered sugar and lemon juice on their pancakes.
It's all done to raise money for charity, and it's good fun to watch. Of course, it is all a wee bit less fun when it is POURING RAIN, as it is today. (Makes me miss the snow in Maryland -- and the sunshine in Dubai!) Tonight, for dinner, we're having breakfast. Pancakes, anyone?
Today is Shrove Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, which is known in England as "Pancake Day". Here, it has long been customary to eat pancakes on the day before Lent begins, as eggs, milk & sugar are among the rich foods that are often given up for Lent. On Pancake Day there are Pancake Races held in villages and towns across the United Kingdom. The tradition is said to have originated when a housewife here was so busy making pancakes that she lost track of time until she heard the church bells ringing for the pre-Lenten service...and she raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake! Today, pancake racers in fancy dress (costumes) run a course while carrying -- and simultaneously flipping -- a pancake in a frying pan. 
At today's race here in Horsham, racers also had to stop mid-course to sprinkle powdered sugar and lemon juice on their pancakes. 
It's all done to raise money for charity, and it's good fun to watch. Of course, it is all a wee bit less fun when it is POURING RAIN, as it is today. (Makes me miss the snow in Maryland -- and the sunshine in Dubai!) Tonight, for dinner, we're having breakfast. Pancakes, anyone? 
1 comments:
What fun! I was looking for my friend Sal in the photos as she was taking part in the race. Thanks for sharing and hope you enjoyed your breakfast for dinner.
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