Prizes and delight....................

'Well, well, well - just so exciting!' this was an understatement as Hortensia would never forget the sight of Lupin flying through the air off a bunny's back. He had volunteered as one of the first to try out the rodeo. No one (not even Humperdinck) had thought about how excitable bunnies can be, so for the first several tries all the gnomes had been sent flying. Eventually the bunnies succumbed to boredom - and perhaps Aunt Mildred's camomile was having an effect, at any rate the end of the rodeo was quite a sedate affair compared to the wildness of the start. Lupin's pride had been a bit hurt, but he had received so much sympathy that he had quickly cheered up again. The whole family were elated when Archibold won first prize for his wild strawberries and Hortensia for her wild strawberry preserve - a double triumph that made them glow with graciousness.

Hortensia was feeling a bit puffed - quite literally as she had had to play the trumpet to announce the prize giving and the start and finish of all the events (and sometimes to drown out Uncle Humperdinck's snoring). All in all it had been a triumphant day and Aunt Mildred was radiant with happiness at the success of her grand idea and having been able to wear so many of her hats in succesion. Archibold's pavilion of living hazel was the wonder of the day, so much so that he had been carried around on the gnomes' shoulders and hailed as a Hero and The Gnome of the Day. 

Just now they were all lying on a mossy bank resting (and burping a little) after a sumptuous picnic. Hortensia had excelled herself and her nasturium flowers stuffed with soft cheese and herbs had been utterly delicious as had her meringues with preserved sweet chestnuts and cream. They were all sucking mint leaves and preparing for a little day dream and snooze - soon they would be dressing up for the Revels and all were looking forward to a wild evening of dancing and frolic!