Narrow range of answers and easier clues.
It was a family tradition at Christmas, to have a tray of unshelled nuts available, with nutcrackers on hand. The challenge was to crack these open without breaking them. Peanuts, being soft shelled were straightforward. The rest required selection by shaking to listen for a rattling noise. It was disappointing to break a hazel nut, but a success to extract a whole Brazil nut. Walnuts never failed to break in half.
French cricket is my favourite bat and ball game. Everyone can join in. The best sportsmen can be tested with rapid passing between the fielders and throws at the legs, only when they are struggling to keep their balance. A mystified three-year-old will break into joyous laughs as the gentle lob hits their bat. Everyone cheers and smiles. The beach is the best place to play. There’s the challenge of trying to hit the ball into the sea where someone will have to go to fetch it and the spectacular diving catches that can be made without pain.
The months of the year have associations with names including the last leader of the Roman Republic, Julius and the first Roman Emperor, Augustus Caesar. There’s April, May, June and an argument for Jan and Mark. Some also have meanings as words, which will be explored to some degree here.