Leap Frog Races and a picnic!

'Well today is the the day Hortie, hot or not it is time for the Leap Frog Races!' Archibold grinned at Hortensia to try and reassure her. Hortensia was packing a substantial picnic into several baskets and a  small cart, 'never too sure that I like race day Archie, such a messy activity and so much slime, still I suppose it is hot enough this year to enjoy swimming in the river afterwards!'

For the last week or so, for the sake of coolness, most of the gnomes of the Forest had taken to sleeping high up in their summer houses in the tree tops. Hortensia adored the roar of the leaves in the wind and even the gentlest of rustles brought news of the forest and music to her heart. 'Seems a shame to have to be at ground level when we could stay up here in the cool, still a summer picnic by the river is not be missed!'

The wild strawberries were gleaming red under their leaves as Hortensia and Archibold passed by and Hortensia quickly filled a basket with the cheerful berries, 'What a treat - oooh Archie look at Harriet' for Baby Harriet was sitting up in her nest in the cart giggling and smiling at a young blackbird that was perched next to her. 'Sometimes Archie, she makes me wonder what is going to happen next.' Harriet clapped her hands as the bird chirped, 'She is just hearing the latest news Hortie, nothing to worry about, and now the blackbirds can tell the rest of the forest about the races!'

Soon they were on their way again and as they passed by on the windy path down to the river, most of the other gnomes came out to join them. Soon the procession of hand carts and happy gnomes laden with baskets and rugs, fishing rods and kettles reached the rivers edge.

The frogs had already agreed to meet in a particularly wet and muddy inlet and were happily hidden in the shade of the long grass as the gnomes set up camp. 'I'll hang the hammocks and set the fire for the kettle', Archibold was rushing about eager to finish so he could limber up for the start of races -  limbering up meant warming up for the race with all sorts of strange lunges and hops and stretches, the frogs of course were ready just as they were. Stephanotis and even Uncle Humperdinck were going to join in this year and as everyone knew, Aunt Mildred, who had been a legend in the leapfrog racing world of her youth, was a stern and very strict judge.

Hortensia smiled as she saw Archibold's enthusiasm, try as she might, she could never understood why anyone would want to leap over frogs in the mud whilst trying to stay on the back of a slimy frog themselves. 'I know you and the frogs love it Darling, but Harriet and I will be very happy to watch from the shore.' Harriet blinked and smiled at her Mother, she was looking forward to when she could join in too, but thought it best to keep her thoughts to herself for a while yet!