On the face of it flipping a pan full of eggs and milk and semi-naked woman in preposterous costumes dancing in Brazil have little in common.
But Pancake Day and Mardi Gras, along with Ash Wednesday and Lent, are all inextricably intertwined.
The world famous Rio Carnival, which attracts millions of revellers to dance and cavort on the streets, is one of many across the globe leading into the Lenten season.
