Jumble House Families, Festivals, Fun, Learning through Play, Travel with kids

Palio dei Terzieri. A fun Festival for all the family. 

This is, in my opinion, a MUST SEE  opportunity especially if you have kids. 

Canons, horses, oxen, and a FLOUR FIGHT!! All that and then an archery competition. 

Città della Pieve is a charming hilltop town in Umbria with around 8000 inhabitants. 

Like many similar towns it is divided into three districts or ‘Terzieri ‘ each one with its own flag and costumes and bands. This division began way back in medieval times and was then class based. 

In the case of Città della Pieve an eagle represents the three different districts or classes. 

The head of the eagle being Terziere Castello and the knights. The Aristocracy. 

The stomach of the eagle being Terziere Borgo Dentro and the people living within the castle walls. The middle class..

The wings and tails being Terziere Casalino and the  peasants. (Follow link below) 

I’ve seen this Festival more times than I can remember and never tire of it! 

The last day (Sunday) of the Festival is great fun. Kids will love it! 

The activities start around 5pm with a costume parade which sounds boring but definitely is not!  The different districts don’t just dress up in their medieval costumes. They also parade the trades of their medieval ancestry.  Anything from giant canons shooting footballs into the crowd to oxen and donkeys and even a prisoner in a very sinister looking contraption. All this is accompanied by brilliant bands and drummers and very enthusiastic cheering wenches!

I like to arrive early afternoon and then wander around the different districts of the town. Often the pre-parade preparations are as much fun as the parade itself. 

This year I stayed in the area of Terziere Borgo Dentro.  (Watch the video below) 

Palio dei Terzieri. Borgo Dentro.

At the end of the parade there is a huge flour fight which the audience can participate in if desired but do bring along protection for eyes and nose! 

​​
Follow this link to watch:    The Flour Fight 

Then, as if that wasn’t sufficient everyone gathers on a field for the real Palio which takes the form of an archery competition. Plus lots of speeches and music and drumming! 

​​

Jumble House Families, I SPY TRASIMENO WITH LIZZIE WITCH, Learning through Play, Travel with kids

​​  

This booklet is for families with young children traveling to the area around Lake Trasimeno and Perugia. It is available in Information Centres, Hotels, Bars and Restaurants around the lake. Free. 

(Email me if you can’t find one: jumblefun@gmail.com)

The booklet is set out like a treasure trail with Lizzie Witch challenging children to find different places and objects in four of the lakeside towns and on the two islands. 

I made it remembering the wonderful family holidays we spent around the lake with our (then) two small daughters and the games we played to take their minds off the heat and to make sightseeing fun. These two small girls are now Mothers themselves but still love to return here. 

Our family holidays were always taken during August and it was always very hot! We found it much more pleasant to play and swim in the mornings and then head off to explore the little towns, villages and the two islands during the afternoons. 

Many, like Castel Rigone are set high on top of hills and are so much cooler than down by the lake. But even the lower set towns with their narrow streets and tall buildings offer lots of welcome shade.  

It has been impossible for me to include all the really beautiful and interesting places to visit. There are just too many! Just the ones that are nearest to Lake Trasimeno. 

In the Playlist ‘I Spy Trasimeno with Lizzie Witch’ you will find lots of videos taken in the places around the lake and some much further afield. Some, presented by my toys, the ‘JUMBLES’ are for young children but there are many ‘General’ ones too. 

I made this booklet initially for our grandchildren but hope that you and your children or grandchildren will have fun using it and that it will make your stay in this magical area even more enjoyable.
Judi Brereton

Email:  jumblefun@gmail.com

http://www.jumblefun.net

Website for learning resources for young children (Art, Craft, Science, Nature and Learning through Play. 
http://www.loveumbria.co.uk

Website about Umbria, it’s places, traditions and festivals. 
http://tinyurl.com/funjumbles 

Channel of programmes, videos and resources for young children
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jumblefun

Twitter: @JumblesThe

Jumble House Art, painting, Printmaking, Modelling for young children, Children, Creativity, Families, Singapore

Keppel Centre for Art Education 

The National Kitchen Restaurant

Yesterday following a delicious meal in the exquisite  ‘National Kitchen’ restaurant in the Singapore National Gallery we stumbled on a really fun activity area called ‘Who’s in the Wood’. I’m not sure who enjoyed it most. Our two year old granddaughter or the adults in the party! 


Click here to see more:  ​​​​Who’s in the Woods?

​When we were able to tear ourselves away from ‘We were in for another amazing discovery. The ‘Keppel Centre for Art Education’ 
On the first level of the Gallery, this imaginative Centre for children is made up of four areas. The Art Playscape, Art Corridor, Museum and Project Gallery. The activities and resources encourage children to think creatively, to problem solve and to communicate.  In other words, everything that ‘The Jumbles’ believe in. 

This is such a wonderful learning resource for residents in Singapore but a visit to the National Gallery including the Keppel Centre (and a meal in the’National Kitchen’ ) is also something I would rate as a ‘must’ for families visiting the country. 

For more information and amazing photographs, click on the link below. 

      Keppel Centre

Jumble House Creativity, entertainment, Families, Holidays, Singapore

Haw Par Villa 


We visited the Haw Par Villa theme park in the Pasir Panjang District (MRT Circle Line) for the second time today. 

The park in the middle of massive renovation works and so many of the areas were ‘out of bounds’ and it was very noisy. . 

However, I would definitely recommend this place once the works are completed as it is going to be really beautiful. 

This theme park is named after the ‘Aw Brothers’ who invented the Tiger Balm ointment and, as expected, the gardens contain many tiger statues

Haw Par is best known for its gruesome depiction of the ‘Ten Gates of Hell’ but, with over 1.000 statues and tableaux it is a magical journey into Chinese Mythology. To really appreciate it fully I would recommend acquiring a basic knowledge of some of the stories.

Children will love the animal statues and the numerous turtles and terrapins and will enjoy clambering up the steps and exploring the many tunnels that meander through the tableuxs. 

I definitely would NOT recommend taking them to see the ten gates of hell! 

Below is a very short video I took today of the restricted area. 

After our previous visit a couple of years ago I made a pre-visit video for children.  To view please use this link: 

       Haw Par Villla for Kids

     

​​

.

Jumble House Creativity, Families, Food, Healthy Eating, Recipes

Sugar!!!!!!!!

                     Read the BLOG here.          

We cut sugar out  this week because we wanted to get rid of our coughs and colds.  BUT after reading this very open, informative and funny blog we will be looking at that sweet monster a little bit closer!  We knew that bad bacteria find sugary foods very yummy but there’s a lot more to it than that! 

There’s some great tasting recipes there too. 

Jumble House celebrations, cooking, entertainment, Families, Festivals, Italian Cuisine, Travel, Umbria

The Largest Pan in the World! 

​​
Yes!  It is a real frying pan and it is used just once every year for the FESTA DELLA PADELLA in Passignano sul Trasimeno. 

Festa della Padella. (The feast of the Pan) this year is from the 24th to the 28th of August. 

This, the largest frying pan in the world can fry 2 tons of fish an hour! 

Eighteen burners powered by 6 gas cylinders heat 5.8 tons of oil.  

At this festa you can enjoy a great menu of fish from Lake Trasimeno plus music and a lively street market. There are also concerts on both nights from 22.00.

​

Error
This video doesn’t exist
​
This is the scene during the day with hundreds of tables set out along the the perimeter of the lake. 

The feasting however only starts as dusk approaches and continues in candlelight when the scene becomes magical. 

On the menu is a wide variety of fish some of which is cooked in the pan. 

Jumble House celebrations, Creativity, entertainment, Families, Festivals, Fun

Festa dei Barbari


Today was the last day of our annual festa in Castel Rigone. Festa dei Barbari. 

We enjoy all the festivals but this is our favourite. It’s not just because Jumble House is in Castel Rigone. It’s because it is so much FUN especially on the Sunday when the events start at 5’o clock. 

For four days there is a market which winds its way through the quaint little streets and every evening feasting in the piazza with music, jousting and entertainment. There’s lots of great things to buy but also you can have a go at archery and see how weapons were made. 

On the last day (always the first Sunday in August) there is this great costume parade through the village, right past Jumble House!  This is followed by the ‘palio’ or challenge which does change. Then followers the feasting, really weird music, fun jousting and fire-eaters  and lots of other things.  We really enjoy the food and it’s always fun watching the wine being pumped out of these things that look like giant weed killers! 

Why do we have this festival?  Well, a very long time ago the village was attacked by the barbarians (the Ostogoths). The lieutenant  was called Riggo. That is where the name of the  village come from. The festa is a re-enactment of the barbarian invasion and it’s great fun! 

We hope you will enjoy this  video of the procession: Festa dei Barbari. Castel Rigone.

Jumble House Creativity, entertainment, Families, Holidays, Keep Safe

Be COOL! Stay Sun Safe with the Jumbles 


Holidays are here and its fun having lots of free time and being out of doors. 

But look at these photographs . 

It’s a lovely sunny day but everywhere is very quiet.  There’s no one in the garden.  The playground is deserted. The beach empty . 


Why ? 

Well, that’s because this is Italy where the summers  are very hot and the people who live here know that it’s not sensible or cool to be out in the afternoon sun.   But the UK can also be hot too. 

The sunshine is great and very important because without the sun we wouldn’t be here . In fact there wouldn’t be any life on Earth. It gives us light and keeps us warm. It helps plants grow. It helps our bodies make Vitamin D which is needed to absorb calcium which keeps our bones and teeth strong.

But too much sunshine and being out in very strong sunshine is not good. In fact it’s really silly ! 

Sunlight contains invisible UV or ultraviolet rays. Too much of these and you get SUNBURN which hurts!! 

It also makes you go red and then your skin blisters and peels.  

It’s not a very COOL look is it?  All red and blotchy like a lobster!!

AND it is likely to make you go all wrinkly as you get older or, even worse, lead to skin cancer. 

Just because we can’t see the sun doesn’t mean that it’s not there!  We can still burn on a cloudy day! 

So, how can we stop stay looking and feeling good and still enjoy the summer sun? 
How can we protect ourselves from those damaging UV rays? 


Well, it’s important to use a sunscreen which has a SPF rating of 30 or higher and apply EVERY day before going out in the sun. You will need to reapply it every  couple of hours or even more often is you are sweating a lot or when you are in the water. 

If you have very pale or fair akin or blonde hair then you will burn more quickly so protection is even more important. 

Don’t stay in the sun for too long either. Even half an hour even with protection in the afternoon can be too much if you are fair or you are out in strong sunlight for the first time. 

. 

Wear a hat to protect your head and to shade your face and eyes. 


Don’t forget the water !  

We lose lots of water by swearing in hot weather. If you  don’t drink more water then you will become dehydrated and could be very ill. 

Always carry a bottle of plain water especially if you are going for a walk. 


Don’t forget your eyes need protection from the sun’s rays too so always take your shades and WEAR them! They won’t do much good stuck on top of your head !  

But!  Before you buy a pair check that the label says that they will protect your eyes from UV rays. 

Lastly keep out of the midday and afternoon sun. This doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors. Just make sure you are in a place where there’s  lots of shade.  If you want to go on the beach then go in the morning or evening when the sun isn’t as strong BUT! You still need protection! 


So. Enjoy the summer! 

STAY COOL! 

                                                                         STAY SAFE IN THE SUN!