Mum has been hobbling along for two weeks now. She came home limping after her Big Day Out as her posh boots definately weren't made for walking.
"It's my toe, Gordon", she explained.
Well, at the beginning of last week she was getting along a lot better - save for the piece of corn that found it's way into the welly boot, until on Friday evening in a mad supermarket dash she stubbed the same ailing toe on the trolley.
"By George Gordon! That hurt!"
So we set about making her a walking stick. Neddie and Seagoon were sent off in search of a straight sapling or branch, about three-quarters of an inch in diameter. It had to be Holly, Ash or Thorn. But we warned them that Hedgers say it is unlucky to cut Holly, so it must be pulled out, rather than cut. We told them to show Dad the piece and he would help. Holly is a very solid wood and can make a dangerous weapon.
Ideally, we told them before they set out, if they could find a stick that has tendrils of wild honeysuckle twined round it, it will have an interesting spiral effect.