Written by Dear Pineapple,
Do you ever notice how a town feels different in summer? The streets seem slower, quieter. People drift away on holidays, shutters stay closed a little longer, and even the air feels drowsy. But here’s the thing about Brida—when the surface looks still, that’s when the most interesting things start happening.
While the cafés may be quiet, the Japanese Tea House silent except for a few Haikus fluttering in the breeze, the Mayor is plotting, Fruitloop is scheming, and—quietly, subtly—new paths are being laid for Residents to discover when they return.
From the Mayor’s Office
Early in the week, the Mayor listened to the Podcast recording of Lunch with Janita & Frank—one of those easy, flowing Brida events where conversations meander. Fruitloop and he had spoken about movies, but also some of fond memories associated with family “movie nights” and a curious incident involving the Mayor, the British Police and Dirty Dancing.
Recording “Peeling Potatoes” was unexpectedly rich. Studio 1 of the Voice Pavilion was alive with sound. First, choir practice for the Brida Jingle (because a town like Brida needs its own soundtrack, doesn’t it?). Then Fruitloop launched into the story about her mountain biking days. The Mayor’s carefully crafted “serious” questions were immediately tossed aside as she began: “Let me tell you how it all started…”
All he had to do was listen. Let the story unfold. That, he thought, was the Brida magic—sometimes you overthink, sometimes you just let it happen.
Life in Brida slows down in summer.
Public events dwindle as Residents slip away on holidays. The Mayor is left holding a list of VIP preparations for August—a mix of community upgrades, event schedules, and, frustratingly, yet another software hiccup. “Plug and play?” he muttered. If only. AI coding, it seems, was no match for Brida’s whimsical infrastructure.
Still, there were moments of lightness. Nathalie and Cléa dropped by for tea and scones—a welcome break from screen-bound meetings. The Mayor hinted that Fruitloop and he were planning a new programme designed especially for Cléa to accompany her for her upcoming Edinburgh adventure. And that another programme for a VIP was in the pipeline.
Because that’s what Brida is at its heart: a safe space. A place where people can express themselves, share stories, ask questions, without judgement. It’s less about perfect English and more about building trust, having real conversations. Rare these days, but in Brida, perfectly normal.
Mystery Boxes & Fortune Cookies
Meanwhile, Fruitloop had quietly started moving her Mystery Boxes from her studio into different corners of town. Each box, like a street sign, carried a little message, a subtle nudge. These were the Fortune Cookies the Mayor was creating, to accompany them, tiny prompts for Residents to reflect on, discuss, and share.
It feels like invisible hands guiding you through Brida—down cobbled streets, past the Fork & Bean Café, toward a quiet bench at the Japanese Tea House, where Haikus flutter gently in the breeze.
Speaking of Haikus—137 had now been pinned to the Tea House walls by Residents from all over the world. It was time, the Mayor decided, to honour that dedication. Perhaps a small Brida book of Haikus was in order?
Brida’s New Showroom.
August event planning is underway, with a shiny new showroom on Eventbrite being set up for drop-in visitors. But in Brida, events are more than just “meetings.” They’re living rooms, cafés, art studios, and quiet park benches rolled into one.
Strategic Lunch & Sweet Endings
Mayor and Fruitloop met at the Fork & Bean for lunch—a modest place that happily adjusted to Fruitloop’s dietary quirks. Over plates of something fresh and colourful, they discussed the heavier topics: strategic planning, future-proofing Brida, finances.
They agreed: the Town Hall had solid foundations. But it was time to build walls, raise the roof, and create rooms for all the new things Brida was becoming. Serious stuff, yes.
Which is why the Mayor chose a bittersweet Gooseberry & Elderflower ice cream for dessert. A little sharpness, a little sweetness—just like Brida itself.
From Fruitloop’s Office.
Fruitloop has been strolling along the streets of Brida, silently, but her head a whirlwind of ideas. Many questions have been running through her head, one being the Fruitloop question of the week – based on the summer vibes in Brida:
If you were a flavour of ice cream, what would you be and why? How do you turn yourself into an ice cream? How would you select the flavour? And then came the even more difficult question? Does the Mayor have a recipe for sugar-free ice cream?
After her son had almost forced her to drive to the corner shop for a soft serve vanilla ice cream, she was still stuck with this question in mind. How is it possible for ice cream to bring so much happiness in a small bite? Maybe we should eat ice cream more often, even though life is hard and sometimes full of challenges. Perhaps ice cream can fix that, even when the Mayor is overthinking back in his office, he could feel better after a scoop of ice cream.
Brida’s Global Spirit
With the first Mystery Boxes appearing in Brida the discussion is about summer drinks and summer music. Fruitloop had compiled the “Fruitloop playlist” – almost like Eurovision for South Africa for the Mayor. His positive reaction surprised Fruitloop so much that she decided to share some more playlists with the Mayor. Hopefully he will enjoy them just as much. It could be another Brida Community activity, community members adding to the Brida Playlist.
It also reminded her of her first Eurovision Final experience – suggested by the Mayor – and she realized that she never heard any of these songs on South African radio. Maybe she wasn’t paying attention, or maybe just missed it. Usually they are full of British and American artists, even some Australian music fills the air sometime, and then also South African Music. Fruitloop, inhaling the Brida Spirit, has a new quest – keep an ear out for European music. One song already found its way to her current playlist. Nemo’s “The Code”. Why does she like it? Well, it is simply different, and the song grew on her after she saw a video about it on Instagram.
From Nuggets’ Chicken Coop.
Nuggets has been going to endless therapy sessions after the Spoon party incident, but it is safe to say that Nuggets has grown up since her previous encounter. She has adapted to her new diet flawlessly, and is clucking and cackling, just like a hen should. It has also turned it into a game between her and “her” pet dogs. She would cluck at them while they bark at her, and then she would try to peck them through her coop for fun and the dogs would carry on barking.
But the biggest mystery of all is the love hate relationship between Nuggets and Fruitloop. You see, Nuggets, doesn’t like Fruitloop very much, and she has tried to kick Fruitloop and pecked her three times while being fed and given fresh water. To the Mayor’s surprise, Fruitloop shared this small detail while chatting away about traditions during the Crème Brûlée meeting.
Fruitloop had a theory. Nuggets doesn’t like other females in or near her coop, afraid her eggs would be stolen. Nuggets definitely love the males in her life a bit more, since she doesn’t harm any of them. When she hears them, she gets excited and runs towards them, but keeps an evil eye on Fruitloop at all times.
We will just have to wait and see what happens next… Will Nuggets learn to love Fruitloop or will she continue to dislike her? Only time will tell.
“What if your pet started its own tradition – what would it involve?”
Little Miss Muffet – a pet tarantula basks in the sun all day long and eat when necessary while Nuggets will eat the spider and probably Fruitloop too – if she had a chance and large enough appetite.
It could be the start of a global movement. It had been mentioned somewhere before, chickens are just as smart as cats and when chickens and cats are given the opportunity, they will rule the world to their liking and humans will be turned into food slaves. Cats were once ancient gods once. Maybe chickens want to be included in this category. All taken with a pinch of salt – what do you think?
