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 Yesterday we welcomed at least 30 children of all different ages to celebrate the 7th birthday of a very special boy. The day began with a HUGE lunch.....  .....followed by cake!  Then the children headed off on a tractor ride.   There was a treasure hunt,  a walk in the woods...  .... and the famous chocolate game!  Right at the end of the day, the weather changed and a lucky rainbow covered the sky! 
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Last year's Marymount students should be very proud - your beautiful sunflowers are brightening our veg patch just in time for the new school year! Thank you for your contribution to the beauty of the late summer garden.   We can hardly believe that our final day of 2015 summer camp is upon us. We said 'Goodbye!' to the Beeken family as they headed back to England to take care of their bees and other creepy crawlies... and then the weather started to change.... The children packed their bags and enjoyed a game of 'Happy Families' before heading to Ronciglione for some slightly wet shopping and a delicious meal.  On returning, 2 of the children helped to make a cake for the mums and dads, while the other children played outside.  We all had a big game of 'Up Jenkins!' before the parents came.  Certificates were given out and since the girls won the room inspection only by half a point, both teams got a prize!  We ended with a good rendition of the Hazelhut song and lots of hugs and well wishes.  The house is very quiet now and James and I want to thank ALL of our 2015 Hazelhutters for so many great memories. Have a great year at school and be sure to return next year!
Today started like many other Thursdays at the Hazelhut with a trip to the fabulous Fagetta at lago di Vico. Our trekkers set off with newly cut bamboo sticks ready for a steep climb through the forest.  They made it all the way up to the 'Devil's Well' and some daring children even jumped in! On returning we had a party for the daughter of our insect experts, who turned 5 today!  There were lots of tasty things to eat and later we played some party games - 'Pass the Parcel' and a Hazelhut favourite: 'The Chocolate Game'.   In the evening we went up to Parco dei Cimini to meet our hosts for the evening. The children enjoyed saying 'Hello' to the animals, but the real event was in the nearby city of Viterbo.  Every year the patron saint of Viterbo, Santa Rosa, is commemorated on the 3rd of September with a street party and the carrying of an ENORMOUS tower and statue through the streets. 100 strong men are needed to lift it and move it to the different stations in the city. The Hazelhutters were given VIP treatment as they had an escorted bus ride to the busy centre and then a long wait in the Piazza del Comune.  To pass the time, we chatted, took photos, snacked and listened to the crowds. Then finally some policemen sent us to the very front where the 'Macchina di Santa Rosa' was about to appear.   When it finally came around the corner, no one could believe how tall and majestic the 'Macchina' was!  Thanks to the very kind Caporossi family, we were even able to walk underneath it and see all the places where the 'facchini' would carry it.  It was a wonderful experience and one which we will all treasure, but the Hazelhutters were exhausted and happy to get back home just before midnight!
We started our special insect discovery day with an inspection of the traps we set last night. Our insect specialists - Louise and Mark - helped us to understand what was in the bottom of the traps and the differences between some creepy crawlies which at first look similar.   The children learned many new words as well as all the different reasons that insects and bugs can be useful in our garden. They also learned to conquer their fears and try holding a range of creepy crawlies.... or at least looking at them more closely!   We stopped for a snack of freshly picked grapes and focaccia.  After snack the children turned their attention to building an insect hotel near the vegetable garden to encourage insects to stay and eat the smaller creatures which have a taste for our plants! Mark explained the kinds of habitats which insects like, such as little holes and cosy gaps between natural materials. So the children went out to look for things which might be suitable.  Then Mark and James helped the children use tools to cut the materials to size.   Before lunch they filled up the hotel, so that all kinds of creepy crawlies would enjoy staying there.  After lunch we released the creatures from the traps right next to the hotel - I think some might stay!  In the afternoon the children enjoyed some free time, a dip in the pool and they finished off the jam pots to take home.  In the evening we had to say 'Goodbye' to one Hazelhutter and 'Thank you!' to her mum for the delicious crostata!! It was the best desert this week!  We can hardly believe it is the last time we will go to Equitrek this year..... As usual the children prepared the horses well.  Then led them down to the work area.  Before mounting they had to lead the ponies through the course.  Then at last it was time to get on and start riding.    Of course it was a lot of fun, but hot work and the ponies needed a good clean at the end.   Our usual agriturismo was closed so as a special treat we took the children for the best 'fieno' in the world at 'Trattoria da Linetta' in Canepina, the home of delicious pasta. None of the children could believe how tasty it was and as usual it was almost impossible to fill their stomachs.......  When we got back the children were ready for a dip in the pool as temperatures soared! Later in the afternoon we started our insect workshop then went outside to plant the insect traps in the vegetable garden and the woods.   As usual the chicken dinner was a real winner.  Now the children are watching a favourite DVD before a well needed rest!
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