..Vodka, you're feeling stronger....

My last bottle of Siberian vodka (plus Red Nose).

Comic Relief day today and a strange feeling in school. For the first time in years no-one dressed up, kids all in uniform, no-one throwing wet sponges or custard pies, normal lessons, nothing special.......except for the showing of the video of the teachers perfoming YMCA in fancy dress........and that only at lunch time.

Why? All because of the impending threat of an inspection, that is curtailing so many things and activities that we normally enjoy.

Still, I have my Red Nose and this bottle. It's not my only bottle, but it's the last one from my trip to Siberia, so it seems appropriate to crack it open. Do you know that the Russsians have many customs and superstitions about vodka?

A bottle should only ever be opened by a man.

Once opened a bottle should be finished in one sitting.

When the bottle is empty the drinkers should blow into the bottle and then the bottle should be kept to preserve the life breath of the friends who drank it.

There must always be a toast before drinking (except at funerals).

Departing guests must always have "One for the road"

You must always clink glasses for a toast.

Toasts must always be drunk to the bottom, in one go, or it is considered rude.

Vodka is sold by the kilo....50g is a single shot.

A bottle of vodka is enough for three people to share, any more people...open another bottle!

Mixing things with vodka is considered bad manners....and extreme cowardice.

I always manage numbers 1 and 7 and I never do number 10.

So....Na zdrovya!

Das vidanya moy padruga.