Saint Servatius von Tongern

Von where you ask? Tongeren (English): Tongres (French) is Belgium's oldest city. Belgium you ask (for our North American Blipers ;-)? Belgium is the birthplace of many ...... several ....... a few famous personalities. Many years ago, before one could cheat by using Wikipedia, Bliper Nogbad, Phil, Paul & myself were involved in a competition to name 5 famous Belgians.

Many years after the race started, Kim Clijsters won a tennis match and finally produced a winner; Phil, who had taken early retirement and had the time to watch afternoon TV. Nogbad got as far as The Smurfs, but the jury only allowed him to use two of them. Paul being an artist and armchair sportsfan had got Rubens, Bruegel, Ickx and Merckx. I had got Poirot, Tintin, Captain Haddock & Lucky Luke; had I been able to spell Maygray Maigret, I might have won.

Sorry for the distraction - Servatius, our third ice saint was Armenien (the place that features once a year at the Euovision Song Contest) and ended up in Belgium. History gets very mixed up as to which Servatius is the real one as there were two in Tongeren & neighbouring Maasricht around this time (350-450AD). Leave it at that but if you have feet problems, say a prayer to Servatius. He can also help with a plaque of rats but probably quicker to call Rentokill.

The ice saints continue to do a pretty good job if not perfect: April continues here, sun, rain, hail etc. No frost (5°C) but generally cooler than yesterday. The Blip is our early evening play hour, luckily in full sunshine but cold.