Today is . . .

Or rather yesterday was . . .

Oak Apple Day.

Oak Apple Day - 29th May - was at one time an official holiday to commemorate the escape of the future King Charles after the Battle of Worcester in 1651.  After the battle, Charles hid in an oak tree and subsequently made his way to Brighton (or Brighthelmstone as it was then known) before fleeing to France.  The date is still celebrated in some parts of the country; indeed, it is also known as Founder's Day at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea - home of the Chelsea Pensioners - which was founded by Charles II after he had been restored to the throne.

In Sussex, the day was known as Pinch Bum Day.  People were expected to wear a sprig of oak leaves and if a child caught another without the sprig, he was entitled to pinch the other on the bum.

Today is my granddaughter's birthday - 6 going on, well, you know little girls?  Pity the weather is too bad for her to try out the kite we bought her.  But maybe she'll try reading The Magic Faraway Tree.