18th April 2010

18th April 2010.

Dear All,

It has been a busy weekend or end to the week. On Thursday our walk started at Cavendish and went to Clare, both villages are chocolate boxy or contain several very picturesque buildings. The weather was bright, sunny and cold and just right for walking – only 10.1 miles this week, hardly worth getting out of bed for!


Cavendish Cottages


It was a 35 mile journey from Over and I had to return to the next village, Hundon, in the evening for a garden club talk.
On Friday I hired an industrial sander to attack the chapel school room floor, which was quite a job as the floorboards were full of nails and none of them was level. The chapel itself is being repainted by Ray Asplin so goodbye pink panels, hello tasteful magnolia and mushroom with gold trimmings.


Chapel Refurbishment

Esther and Eirwen came to collect our 25 year old rabbit hutch at lunchtime. In the evening Kate and I drove down to visit Ben and inspect his new flat. The M25 was closed anticlockwise so we had to use the Blackwell tunnel – a bit daunting for simple country folk! – but not too bad thanks to exemplary map reading by Kate and the Sat Nav. We ate at the local Vietnamese restaurant and slept on the new sofa bed.
The flat is quite smart and quiet but only 100 yards from Streatham High Street. We helped hang a few pictures and purchased a rug but did not have long to finish jobs as Ben was involved in a vital relegation battle at 2 pm at Sydenham. We went to support in baking sunshine, but due to the absence of numerous key players the task proved too much for the plucky Hampstead Heathens who eventually succumbed by 4 goals to 1.


39 Gleneldon Road (right of semi) 1st floor back


Watchful defender sees off Chertsey’s 13th corner

This afternoon I have been to Grantham for a CEEM meeting about Moldova. We are due to fly out next Friday but at present that looks to be in some doubt!
Kate has spoken to Gwen re the cousin’s reunion offering accommodation. At present they plan to hire a car to take John and Muriel out and about and bring them up to Cambridge but plans are not set in concrete.
The garden has started to move with potatoes well up and several other crops emerging. We had a slight frost earlier in the week but it did not seem to hurt much except the frog spawn.
I have put some Ecuador photos on Facebook for those interested in that sort of thing.
Love

Mike & Kate

11th April 2010

11th April 2010.

Dear All,

Kate and I spent most of yesterday at a wedding – Jo Colquhoun for those that know her, daughter of friends from Cottenham for those that don’t. It was a very grand affair with the reception for 140 in a marquee in the parent’s garden. It went very well but as often is the case it seemed to go on for ever so that we did not finish the meal until 9 pm – then there was the evening rave up. The weather was brilliant and the food and flowers probably cost a fortune.

Duncan, Sue, Mike, Jo & Mr & Mrs Newman Snr.


Cottenham Church

This week’s garden club talk was at Henham near Stanstead with added excitement of the beamer cutting out half way through!.
I decided to do the shorter walk on Thursday as I had an evening meeting; however it turned out to be 10.2 miles as opposed to 10.6 miles for the longer walk! We started at Sturmer near Haverhill and again the weather added to the enjoyment of the day.

Kedington Church

I collected the heavy roller from its winter quarters on a farm and started the cricket wicket preparation on Friday. It does not seem too bad at this stage.
Otherwise it has been digging, planting, sowing, hoeing and grass cutting – things are really starting to move.

Love

Mike & Kate

4th April 2010

4th April 2010.

Dear All,

Happy Easter to all readers! We started with a sunrise service at 6.30 am and the sun did rise after an initial delay at about 6.50 am. The temperature was 3°C so not a morning for hanging around. This was followed by an 11.00 am Family service and with Communion and evening service to come it is reminiscent of the never ending Good Fridays at Upminster!

Sunrise 6.50 am

I have given two talks on "Hand in Hand" and Ecuador this week, one to the after church gathering last Sunday and another to the Women’s meeting where only one person fell asleep – practically a record!
Monday evening Kate and I joined some of the U3A walkers for a Thai meal at the Barley Mow in Histon and on Thursday Kate was not working, and joined the walk starting at Preston near Hitchin. It was one of the more scenic routes and will look even better in a month when the bluebells are out.

Preston Almshouses

Approaching Preston

Mary-Ann has been offered a permanent job at Millers, one of the places she has temped. They are architech/designers/engineers and have been trying for Olympic projects.
Otherwise it has mostly been gardening and mending a rabbit’s hutch for Esther to collect.

Love

Mike & Kate