Okay so today is known among Americans as Super Tuesday... the day on which each of the two political parties get to select their nomination for President...

But today (February 5th 2008) is actually much more important than that!
On alpaca farms (and elsewhere) in the United Kingdom, Ireland , Australia, New Zealand and Canada, Shrove Tuesday is known colloquially as Pancake Day.

The traditional pancake is slightly thicker than a French crêpe. It is served immediately and is traditionally served with a sprinkling of caster sugar or granulated sugar, (superfine sugar in the United States) and a dash of fresh lemon juice or golden syrup (refined sugar in liquid form). Many other sweet and savoury toppings are used today for example, in Canada pancakes are served with Maple Syrup.

In Australia, UnitingCare Australia (the social services arm of the Uniting Church in Australia) has advertised Pancake Day as a nation-wide event for the religious community that raises awareness for the plight of disadvantaged people by raising money for UnitingCare's work.

The Rehab UK Parliamentary Pancake Race also takes place every Shrove Tuesday, with teams from the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Fourth Estate battling it out for the title of Parliamentary Pancake Race Champions. This light-hearted relay race is held to raise awareness of the work of national brain injury charity, Rehab UK, and the needs of people with acquired brain injury. The race involves running with a frying pan and tossing your pancake as you run.

Shrove Tuesday traditions particular to the United Kingdom
On Pancake Day, pancake races are held in villages and towns throughout England. In 1634 William Fennor wrote in his Palinodia:
"And tosse their Pancakes up for feare they burne."

The tradition of pancake racing had started long before then. The most famous pancake race, at Olney in Buckinghamshire, has been held since 1445. The contestants, traditionally women, carry a frying pan and race to the finishing line tossing the pancakes as they go.

As the pancakes are thin, some skill is required to toss them successfully while running. The winner is the first to cross the line having tossed the pancake a minimum number of times.
The tradition is said to have originated when a housewife from Olney was so busy making pancakes, that she forgot the time until she heard the church bells ringing for the service. She raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake.

Now I know this will all sound odd to a Nation that eat pancakes on any old day of the year...but you have to admit Pancake Day does sound fun....doesn't it?

I spent this morning repairing the insulation on the alpaca barn ceiling...but I can you all about that tomorrow.

Happy Tossing !