Epiphany

The Epiphany is a public holiday in Italy. It’s proceeded by Epiphany Eve when the Befana - a woman on a broomstick - leaves presents for children. In Christian legend she hosted the three kings on their way to Bethlehem and is forever searching for the Baby J herself. Some say she in turn came down from the Roman goddess Strenua, who brought in the new year. Christmas presents are still sometimes known as strenne natalizie. The English ‘extraneous’ finds it’s roots in the Reformation prohibition on the giving of New Year and Christmas gifts (strenne).*

It was a changeover day weatherise as cold air plunged down from Russia. Luckily not accompanied by peacekeeping forces. We bbqed sausage, toast olive oil and salt, red peppers and thin slices of squash on hazel coals. It was parky but bright. A heavy Negroamaro from Puglia kept the chill out and the spirits up.

* There’s a fib in there somewhere.

‘ Strenuous’ is also linked to early medieval customs: a two week period before Christmas when serfs undertook particularly hard winter tasks for their lords in order to build up strenne credits to choose Christmas gifts from the lord’s counting house. These were usually displayed in the centre aisle. *

* See the Lidl Book of Medieval Madness.

Plus thank you to all who congratulated on another Blipstone. I’d no idea.