The quest begins
		In search of the recipe

Home | Welcome
Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6
Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12 | Episisode 14


Regular visitors to this site may have noticed that both
the Roms and Bits have somewhat large noses, a common feature
amongst our ancestors at that time and  which had a profound impact on their lives.
Unfortunately the large size of their Hooters prevented the population from
indulging in all manner of activities and in particular it could cause great problems
when drinking  tea or coffee - Seemingly the weight of the nose would
cause it to droop into the cup or mug thus displacing the contents or at worse
restricting the uptake of the liquid. Although the Pottery Industry was more than happy
with the additional revenue created from the need to make their cups larger
many Inventors of the period were engaged in research to find a better solution.

The Great Nerd was no exception, and courtesy of the Hardup Hall
collection we are able to re-produce at no mean cost his patent application
for a nose support .

This next picture features the Great Nerd  actually testing the Acne Nose Support   - Notice
the cup of tea in the hand of the person trying out the support.

              Sadly the device proved a failure as the 'upright' obstructed the
mouth. However the idea was adopted  centuries later by the
army of King Charles I who used it to prop up their Muskets
during the civil war against Cromwells Roundheads. The 'optional stand'
-for use on muddy fields- has enjoyed even greater success where it is
still in use in homes throughout Britain at Christmas as a
support for the family Xmas tree.

But enough of this Nose nonsense - Back to the story

Not only did  Emperor Hadrian build his wall to keep out the raiders from the land of
Harris Tweed (now known as Scotland) but it also prevented the Bits from
travelling north of the border in their quest for the missing recipe.
( However in response to those sceptics  who have suggested 
that the Wall was figment of the writers imagination, the publisher of this site has
taken the unusual step of providing a photo below which shows
part of the Wall looking east towards the fort at Housesteads)



In fact the publisher is under great pressure to admit that the only true part of this sorry saga
is the fact that the Wall really exists.


To Continue
Unaware of the Roms interest in their activities the Bits thought it most
unlikely they could obtain the necessary passes and as they couldn't
go through, round or over the Wall,  this  left only one option - underneath.
So Nerd decided to seek out the local miners whose exploits in the Durham and
Northumberland Coal fields are almost legendary

	"He doesn't say a lot!"

The miners, who rarely emerge from their natural habitat, decide to hold a conference
to discuss the merits of the plea for help from the Great Nerd.

In keeping with a tradition which stretches back many centuries and only changed
recently when the 'Secret Ballot' was introduced, the miners decide on
a show of hands. Although the results may not be known for a few weeks
it is perhaps worth mentioning that miners like a Jar or two (Beer)
and the possibility that their supply might be cut off  will no
doubt influence the voting.

© B J Pearce 99