6th September 2009

6th September 2009.

Dear All,

We had our annual chapel trip to the seaside yesterday, this time to Walton-on-the-Naze. David had arranged for us to hire a church hall as a base and the day went very well, with the weather pretty good for September. We have normally gone to Hunstanton but last year people voted for a change. Unfortunately the first attempted visit to Walton in 2008 had to be cancelled due to rain but this year there were no such problems. In a party of 28 it was surprising how many had not visited Walton before.

Sand at last (it was high tide)


The Naze Tower

We arrived at 11 am for coffee, most then explored the pier, a few then held our annual putting tournament followed by fish and chips and a visit to the Naze. Some walked the Naze and explored the beach, most climbed the Tower and studied the art exhibits and the view from the top. The rest entertained toddlers on the beach. We then returned to Over for a BBQ. Everyone seemed to enjoy the day.
At the risk of provoking your sympathy I have been to work 3 days this week as several crops are ready at the same time: lettuce, sweet corn, courgettes, oriental greens as well as onion grading. On Tuesday we cut 180 lettuce plots which is not good for the back. I will probably need to go in three days this week as well as we have two open days.
Kate has been to a croquet party with some of the U3A ladies that she met in Yorkshire and followed that with an evening entertaining Japanese colleagues.
We had to postpone the Moldova lorry this week as due to the political uncertainties there no one is prepared to sign the necessary papers. A CEEM BBQ an auction of promises on Saturday has so far raised £1380 – far more than anticipated. We have received a steady trickle of photographs from Moldova this year so we have a much better idea of what is going on. The maize harvest has apparently been carried out by hand with the help of willing volunteers and a donkey!

Moldovan Maize harvest

Satisfied customer


We had Cliff Keeys at chapel this morning for a taster session for the “Walk Through the Bible” training – he was very good so should have enthused a few people.
Thursdays walk was along Fleam Dyke near Six Mile Bottom. The going was fairly tough 12 miles with strong winds and hardened hoof prints, but the dyke was well worth the effort.


Fleam Dyke