The Tiny Paper: 26th March 2012

My first official volunteer stint is over. The school ran the Sports Relief mile, with all of the students doing at least 2 laps around the field. I was at point 6, defending the woods from thralls of truant school children dropping out of the mile and slinking into the woods with bad intentions at the forefront of their minds. Er....I mean....cheering on and encouraging these bright young minds to continue onward. I must admit, this is an area where my Americanism shines through in spades. We are masters in encouragement and cheering on.

The Mike's after the mile.

I at least feel I can practice what I preach. I have started using mapmywalk.com and have currently logged 47.45 miles over 19 days. The puppies love the long walks and often lead the way while I meander along through the woods following their noses over logs and through creeks.

Michael is visiting his dad in America. We planned the trip so that Mike would arrive right in time for his dad's birthday and he was delighted to be dad's "birthday present". We flew on the Virgin "Tokyo" from Heathrow to DC. I was fairly certain it was the oldest plane in Virgin's fleet. With ancient in-flight entertainment and a whistling sound screaming through the roof on landing which had me convinced the roof was going to peel off, I was loathe to learn that it was the plane which I was flying back to the UK on after dropping Mike with his dad. However, research has unearthed that it is merely the 5th oldest plane, at 15 years old, in the 75 plane strong fleet.

The Maiden Tokyo

Other than our unfortunate border detainment in 2009, I have not traveled round trip over a weekend but this trip entailed our landing in DC at 3:30pm, and I boarded the plane back to the UK at 6:30pm. Sadly I missed the Skype call with my in-laws updating us on the birth, and introducing us, to our new nephew, but Neil was very happy to have had the chance to catch up with them. .... I think it is time for Mike to fly as unaccompanied minor!

Mike is having a good time in Virginia. We called him last night and he was watching Batman and drawing. The drop off was easy. All smiles and tear free on both sides, I would never put the weight of my sadness on his little shoulders. The crush of him being away hit me last night when I passed his empty room. Only a month to go! Sigh....I love that kid!

My friend Christy surprised me with Herman, the German (Amish) Friendship cake. Herman is a sour dough cake, which requires tender love and care over ten days before being divided into 4 parts. One part you keep and bake yourself, the other 3 you pass on to friends with a set of 10 day instructions, which culminate in thier subdivision and passing on of Herman. In other words, Herman is a chain letter in cake form. The crux of Herman is yeast. Herman hails back to the days when yeast was grown by the baker and the recipe was passed between friends for frugality purposes.

Herman Batter

I unfortunately can't share this recipe with most of my friends and family, so I entrust you now, to use the information below and start Herman in my honour in your country.

"Billy No Mates
Cake"

retitled (by me!) "International Friends Cake!"

Ingredients
1 Cup plain flour
1 Cup caster sugar
1 Cup plain natural (live) yoghurt
Half Cup milk
1 small sachet fast-action dried yeast (breadmaker yeast)

Put all of the ingredients into a large mixing bowl.

Mix to a smooth batter-like consistency.

If the mixture is too thick to run off the spoon,
add a little more milk and re-mix.

Set aside for 24 hours, the mixture will be frothy and bubbly, smelling of alcholol/fermentation

Stir-- the froth will collapse, but remain bubbly.

This is your starter batter for International friend cake...now...Herman the German!

Measure out 1/2 pt (1.2 cups) and start day 10 on the instructions.... http://www.hermanthegermanfriendshipcake.com/

It is reported to be a very good cake, so give it a go! I'll let you know my personal verdict in a few days when my Herman is complete.

Finally, we went to Brighton after Neil picked me up from Heathrow and took a long walk with the dogs. Delilah enjoyed rolling around in oyster shells, and Samson smiled the entire walk through. They were two tired puppies when we got home.