When a cake is not simply a cake…part 3.

Jo Bryant
The finished cake...with a big thanks to Wendy for the great job doing the chocolate piping.

The Son was thrilled with the cake…as each guest arrived they were dragged off to a screening…so Mother is a happy camper. A lovely day was had. And The Son appeared to be enjoying himself…though I don’t think that is the case today…hehehe !!

He did after all drink ALL of this…

In one minute…yes I did say one minute.

Does anyone know where the custom of drinking a yard glass of alcohol on your 21st came from ?

We were discussing it and no-one had any real answers…

If you know please DO TELL !!

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Published by Jo Bryant

I was born in the land of Banjo Paterson, gum trees, and weather extremes. I am a freelance photographer. I love to make images that make people happy. To capture forever a precious moment. I am also a freelance writer/editor. I live in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, but still like to claim my Australian heritage. I graduated with a Bachelor of Communications in 2008. I am writing my first novel. I love to write poetry, short stories, and also write for the web. And there is nothing that is on a par with a sunny summer's day spent at Waihi Beach.

34 Comments

  1. I heard of ” A Yard Of Ale” ,,, you can read up on that in google’s Wikipedia as well … Be well, my friend. Love, cat.

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  2. What a mama!! The cake cracks me up!! Unbelievable job!! And Jo..is that your home?? If so..we have the same color bouganvillea in our back yards!!! YAYY! Love that:)! And…you.

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    1. Hey Brynne – the cake cracked a few people up on the day. His Navy mates were all in awe of it !!! No – that is where The Son lives with his partner in Auckland. It is a cute semi-detached little house that is actually just perfect for them. Though I did laugh because there is only a path seperating their lawn from the neighbours and the difference was sort of cute from one side of the path to the other…

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    1. Not sure I’d call it skill – just bloody mindedness. No cake was going to beat me…hehe. And yes it was a nice party, a lovely afternoon spent with The Son and his partner, The Daughter, and friends.

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    1. Thanks Harry – yes I read that it came from England. I just wondered why and when it transferred in to being a 21st birthday tradition to down the yard of ale…

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  13. My goodness, that’s quite the cake, Jo! I’m so glad it turned out and that your son (and his mates) had such a great time. Regarding the yard glass (from Wikipedia, you may have read this already):

    “Yard of ale
    Main article: Yard (beer)

    A yard (or yard glass) is a one yard long glass holding approximately 3 pints of beer. Drinking a yard glass full of beer is effectively a traditional pub game. The object is to drink the entire glassful without pausing for breath, and/or to drink it as quickly as possible.

    **The glass most probably originated in 17th-century England. The diarist and Fellow of the Royal Society John Evelyn records the formal yet festive drinking of a yard of ale toast to James II at Bromley in Kent, 1683.**

    It is a popular tradition to receive a yard glass as a gift for coming of age celebrations on one’s 21st birthday in Australia and New Zealand, and consume the full glass during one’s birthday party. This is usually timed for fun and comparison. (my guess is that it transitioned because of being a way to celebrate special occasions, and of course, when one turns 21, the celebrating is done with alcohol.)

    Similarly, in the United Kingdom some of the older Student’s Union pubs will present yards of ale to those who graduating each year. The Glasgow University Union pub displays the names of the man who consumed his yard of ale in the fastest time of each year’s graduates (though since Glasgow University has two Student’s Unions not every graduate takes part, or is even invited).

    Yard glasses can still be found hanging on the walls of some English pubs, though they are rarely used nowadays. If used, they are used on special occasions, Like a century in cricket.”

    I dug a little further and found this:

    “United Kingdom

    The glass most likely originated in 17th-century England where the glass was known also as a “Long Glass”, a “Cambridge Yard (Glass)” and an “Ell Glass”.[1] Such a glass was a testament to the glassblower’s skill as much as the drinker’s. The diarist and Fellow of the Royal Society John Evelyn records the formal yet festive drinking of a yard of ale toast to James II at Bromley in Kent, 1683.

    Another reference to this type of glass was recorded in the diary of a John Evelyn in 1685. He referred to the Sheriff and the Commander of the Kentish Troop in Bromley drinking to the health of King James II from a “glasse of a yard long.”

    The story goes that the glass was specifically designed to meet the needs of stagecoach drivers who were always in hurry to get to their destinations. The glass had to be long enough to hand to the driver without his having to leave the stagecoach. The design of the glass meant that the stagecoach driver could drive without losing control and drink at the same time. He could also have his glass refilled without letting go of the reins.” (from http://dictionary.sensagent.com/yard+%28beer%29/en-en/)

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    1. Thank you for that…it was great reading all the history. It seems such an odd thing to do really. Throw a yard of beer down your gullet as fast as possible.

      The World Record Holder for many years was Australia’s old Prime Minister Sir Bob Hawke who downed it in 11 seconds while at Oxford – now isn’t that a claim to fame !!!

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