It is 'That time of year' again! The one where we all are supposed to 'give up something for Lent'. I sincerely hope that none of you are giving up h2g2 for Lent... although that might be construed as the 'supreme sacrifice'!.

Here, in England, 'Ash Wednesday' is preceded by 'Shrove Tuesday', a wonderful day when we all have a good excuse to eat 'pancakes' something akin to the French 'crepes' but usually thicker and possibly more delicious. The tradition started way back in the Elizabethan age, and is probably one of our more popular ones. The most usual way to serve them is with lemon and sugar, although they are just as good savoury... cheese, ham, 'Marmite'... you name it, we will try it! The mixture is best made a few hours before required in order to 'let it stand'. This is supposed to make it cook up better, although I am not convinced this is true!

One of the most interesting sidelines of Shrove Tuesday is the running of the 'Pancake Race' This has become something of a tradition in many villages, most notably Olney, Bucks. A pancake race has been run here since 1445, with a few breaks for war etc, and is taken very seriously. Rigorous training is undertaken by the competitors (all female), who not only have to run a course 'tossing' as they go, but have to make their own mixture and costume: an embroidered and sequinned skirt ,which takes on average 300 hours to make, and a lace headscarf. The prize at the end of all this exertion? A kiss from the curate!

shazzPRME

• 1-2-1



bluDragon gets the grilling this week.

• Take 5



The pick of this week's batch of new Guide entries.

• Agony Aunt



h2g2 is not a 'normal' community, it doesn't have 'normal' problems, therefore a 'normal' Agony Aunt would be useless. Ours is far from 'normal'.

• Wowbagger





With Mark and Peta off to Miami to do some research
into the pubs and clubs over there, this was kind of inevitable.

• h2g2 Life




Exercise? What's that?

• A Message from your Mayor


She's your Mayor. You voted for her.

So I suppose you should read what she has to say.

• In Reply to Mr Cynic


As you may remember, last week we asked Mr Cynic

to look into the average waiting times for submitted

entries to be approved. Here we have a reply from Anna.

• Young Killer


But who is to blame?

• Reading Matter for Aliens


Here's a good question for you. So tell us your answer.

• Web Site of the Week



Pastey makes another recommendation

• Field Critic Fun Run


Take part in the latest Fun Run and tell others what you think of their work.

• Rejection Slips


A guide to the world of h2g2 rejection. Useful stuff.

• The Think Tank



A central point to exchange ideas on articles. Whether you're
writing a future Guide entry and want some help with spelling, grammar
or content, or you have a few moments to spare and wish to proof read
for a fellow researcher, this is the place.