The smiths' week-end

On Friday night, after a long week at school, John Smith is very tired. But his work is not over. He must mark his pupils' homework and prepare new tasks for the following week. First, however, he goes with his wife, Helen, to a sports club. There they playa game of badminton and have a swim. Helen and John are members of this club and can go there whenever they like. Sometimes they will take a friend as a guest. After their exercise they feel tired but refreshed. They are also hungry. They usually stop off at a Chinese takeaway on their way home. Then they will put their feet up with their meal in front of the late night film. Helen likes detective films and thrillers, but John prefers comedies and romances. If nothing good is on they hire a video. In this case, John will cycle to the video shop the next day to return the film.

Saturdays mean a lie-in. Helen will often have work to do, however. Being a freelance translator means that either she is inundated with work or she has nothing to do. If the former is the case, there is no such thing as a day of rest for her. She reads the newspaper and then gets down to work. After a late morning jog, John joins her with his work for school. If they get bored with their own tasks, they swap to help each other out. After a light lunch they take a break from work by doing something in the house or garden. Johnmay watch a football match on television if a good match is on. Then they continue their work until it is finished. They cook dinner, or even go to friends for a meal. Sometimes, when Helen has little work, they have guests to supper on Saturday evening.

On Sunday they do not get up early. After their Sunday lunch they go for a walk. As on Saturday nights, they will sometimes spend this time with friends. Sunday afternoons are spent relaxing with the papers, a good film or a good book.

Let's have a picnic

Picnics are popular with women and children and some men who know how to make afire.

Children are fond of picnics chiefly because, as a rule, there are no tables at picnics and conse­quently no table manners and because they have an excellent opportunity to eat things that do not agree with them. Since picnic lunches are always just about the same and therefore require little imagination, women do not have to trouble thinking up a meal.

Picnic grounds are usually situated on a body of water at some high altitude. One of these features is essential, for no picnic can be a success unless the children have something to fall into, or fall off. Also, a body of water naturally suggests taking fishing tackle along. No fish was ever known to have been caught on a picnic, but fishing serves as an excellent excuse for getting out of the way while the heavy work is being done.

Quite the most important feature of the picnic is the lunch. Fried chicken is always popular ...

Then there should be hard-boiled eggs. Almost everything else that comes in a can or a paper bag is good for a picnic lunch. These containers are very important as, after the contents have been eaten, they are strewn about and identify the picnic ground. After the lunch has been eaten a picnic is mostly anticlimax. But there is always the possi­bility of someone nearly getting drowned or running irito a hornets' nest or twisting an ankle. However, you must remain until well into afternoon, or you may not appear to have had a good time. To make matters worse, someone will suggest singing.

Picnics, whatever may be said against them, have their advantages. At least they reawaken