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STORIES BEHIND

SUPERSTITIONS

There’s many a yarn around the yeasted fruit loveliness

that is hot cross buns. And with good raisin...

Closely associated with Easter, because of the bun’s

identifying cross. But theories behind their origin go

further back. Some link it to the Anglo Saxons and their

celebrations in honour of the goddess Eostre. And

excavations in Roman Herculaneum discovered two

carbonised loaves, each marked with a cross.

They’ve been awarded plentiful superstitions over the

years. Share one, and it’s said you’ll create a close

friendship. Bake them on Good Friday and they won’t go

mouldy. And they’re said to offer luck, whether taken

onto a ship or hung up in your kitchen.

Some suggest they have medicinal properties should

you chew a bit from a well preserved bun. So, if you find

yourself suffering from whooping cough or digestive

difficulties, it may be worth your while to hot foot it to

Colchester and beg a sliver from the couple who are in

possession of a bun dating to over 200 years old.

“It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the

fight...” Come on, my name is Rocky.

Basically, my life is like one of those training

montage videos: runs along the beach, a lot

of energetic jumping and perhaps even a dip

in the water. Each day can feel like a struggle

against insurmountable odds. One major

difference between me and Mr Balboa,

however: I ain’t no Boxer.”

Tweet us a pic of your #dogsinblankets or

#catsonmats @simplethingsmag

TIPPLE OF

THE MONTH

This refreshing Andalucian tipple is

traditionally enjoyed during April’s famous

Seville Feria, a fortnight-long celebration

involving dancing, eating and drinking until

the early hours. Thirst-quenching it may be

but drink one too many and you may end up

resembling the cocktail’s transaltion. Rebujo

means a ‘knot’ or a ‘tangle’.

SERVING NOTES: Mix one-part

manzanilla or fino sherry with two parts

lemonade in a long glass, adding fresh

mint and a squeeze of lime to serve.

REBUJITO

DOGS IN BLANKETS

The secret thoughts of readers’ pets:

Rocky, 13, Jack Russell

Burnt pan? Boil

chopped rhubarb

with water in the

pan for around ten

mins, then wipe

away the burnt

residue.

HOUSEHOLD

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