It took ages to find the house on stilts where Nonny Dreever lives. It seemed to have moved a couple of times and is now on the other side of the hill where Withern Caves are. But when we got there we were treated to some fresh ginger cake and mugs of tea and we asked our questions sitting on the step looking over to the Blue Hills.

Nonny, when is your birthday ?
Do you know, I haven`t the faintest idea.

How funny. So how do you know how old you are then ?
I don`t.

Do you have a Mrs Dreever ?
Of course I do.

We`re enjoying this cake. Did you make it ?
Yes. I do all the cooking. I`m glad you enjoy it. I`ve just invented a  recipe for Greenberry cake.

Oh. What are Greenberries ?
Like Blueberries and Blackberries. Only green.

What`s your favourite season ?
Christmas. It`s always Christmas here.

We heard you have a Christmas tree up all year round, is that true?
No. I take it down in December.

Er. .. right. Do you ever go away on holiday ?
Yes. The house just rolls along behind the horse. I usually go to Scotland. Or Ireland. Or Cornwall. I don`t travel far.

What is your cat called ?
Depends which one you mean.

How many cats do you have ?
Seventeen usually. And seventeen mice.

Why ?
One each.

You`ve made a new friend, Olly. Do you make many new friends ?
Olky ?   Oh, you mean Oliver Mackenzie Brown ! He`s a good fellow. I have a job keeping up with all my friends. I make thousands every year, always have done.

Since when ?
Since I was seven years old. I started out making new friends then. It`s about the right age. That would be around 8,202 years ago.

You`re winding us up !
No, you want the clock winders for that and they`re all underwater.

Whatever do you mean ?
The Clockwinders of Withern. You`ll meet them in the next book. Now, if you`ll excuse me, it`s time I went to bed.

But it`s only eleven o`clock in the morning !
Exactly.