The Laboratory

Who remembers vol-au-vents? I don't think I've seen one in the wild for about 10 years. It used to be you couldn't move for vol-au-vents and quiche at self-catered Christian weddings. This thought was prompted by a display screen at Joe La Frite, a Belgian chip shop on the outskirts of Brussels. £12 for a vol-au-vent. Even Iceland do 2 for a fiver: Sarah claims that I'm using the incorrect plural form of vol-au-vent. She says it's "vols-au-vent" like courts martial and attorneys general. Peversely I'm going to claim it's "vol-aux-vents" with a pluralised conjunction. Some websites say the plural form is the same as the singular, like sheep. What do you think? PS a review of this website by a 94-year-old claimed that it was "thought-provoking". I hope today's entry continues to live up to this reputation.

I can't believe we haven't told you all about Iceland's 13 Santas before now. It's not too late to put a shoe in your window! The Jólasveinar or "Yule Lads" come every night from December 12, and put a present in the shoe, as well as commit some kind of rural mischief. The family actually consists of the 13 Yule Lads (who are all brothers), their mom Grýla, their dad, Leppalúði, and the Christmas Cat (which eats any children who don't receive new clothes for Christmas). and not forgetting their parents...