Dragon

I'm on my way to Kraków, the home of Poland's most famous dragon.

Smok Wawełski was his name, and he lived in a cave under the Waweł Hill.

Krak was the name of the young boy whose bravery ended the dragon's terrible reign. He stuffed three roast sheep with the hottest spices he could find - and threw in plenty of sulphur just to make sure - then he left this tasty-looking meal at the entrance of the cave. As soon as the sun rose, or certainly as soon as he woke from the hangover that a reign of terror probably brings, Smok Wawełski dragged himself out of his lair. How glad he was to see that he didn't have far to go to find breakfast that morning! Down went the sheep, perhaps not enough for a full breakfast, but certainly good enough to make a start. Oh dear me, this breakfast certainly packs a punch! To try to cool his stomach from the onslaught of Krak's unusual cookery skills, he dashed down to the river and drank, and drank, and drank. Half the river went down his scaly throat but not a bit of good did it do him. And what happened next? All that water and all that sulphur...and Smok Wawełski exploded! The reign of terror was over. The locals had a different kind of rain to deal with as that dragon hit them with everything he had...they were picking dragon's teeth out of the porridge for months afterwards. Oh well, it was a lot less to worry about now. All thanks to Krak, the shoemaker's apprentice. Thanks, Krak!

Hotting

Things are hotting up!

Yes, the real word is 'heating' but that's the expression. I wonder if it came from somewhere particular? (Please find out, there's no time here!)

I'm off to Poland in about two days, so it will probably go quiet here for a while. I know it would be nice to post all kinds of tips and experiences from Kraków, with lots of nice photographs of such a historic city, but unfortunately I do not have the technology at the moment. Plus, also, I'm going for a competition so it's a bit more fraught than a simple holiday. I suppose I won't have time to idle away my hours taking pictures of interesting things. If I don't get past the first round (actually there are only two rounds anyway) then I will unfortunately have loads of time to look at things. But still not enough technology. Please wish me a very quiet blog during the next week. It will be a sign of progress.

Fingers crossed! Yours, not mine...

Ampersand

Have a care for the humble ampersand!

Read all about this character here!

If you don't know what I'm talking about then you'd better click it to find out!

Gardening or just growing

There is a gardener somewhere, but the plants have to get on with each other all the time. Some of them need space to grow their beautiful leaves and branches. Some need room to drink in enough sunlight to grow. There is a plant nearby that loves to grow next to a special flower. Sometimes the plant forgets there is a gardener out there looking after the garden. The plant thinks he has to do it all himself.
Lovely flower in the beautiful sunshine, under the blue sky, you are growing at the same speed as your friend. You both need the right amount of room to grow, the right amount of sun to flower, the right amount of water to make you happy. So you grow together. As long as you are both looking for the same sun, nothing will go wrong.
Our green friend didn't have to worry so much. Help is at hand. The sun shines and the kind rain falls, and it does that whether we worry or not. Better not to worry.