17th July 2011

17th July 2011.

Dear All,

Nothing like starting the week at the dentists for a little drilling therapy. I had that joy on Monday and Kate has broken a tooth and started treatment this week as well. Kate and Esther enjoyed their singing at the Albert Hall, it was “Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff.
I travelled out to the fens to look at a NIAB lettuce trial on Tuesday. I took Jim Burr for the ride – he has had a stroke and is struggling a bit. After the lettuce we called in on Prickwillow Pump Engine museum where volunteers have collected and restored several of the huge engines that were used to pump water into fen dykes.

Shippea Hill Lettuce

Prickwillow museum

In the evening a group of us went to see a modern version of “Pilgrims Progress” performed by the Saltmine Theatre Company in Cambridge. The acting was brilliant with 5 performers taking all the parts.
I have been asked to do some more consultancy for the Riverford Box Scheme so I met up with them at Peterborough on Wednesday to discuss what they want me to do. This was followed by swimming at Impington and cricket at Yelling.
Our Thursday walk was in the Wimpole area again starting at Croydon.
On Friday I had to mend the cricket club mower as we had broken a belt and then tend pitches and garden. Runner and French beans, peas and courgettes are all cropping well and spring planted onions, garlic and shallots needed lifting.
Saturday morning was rather damp but it cleared up in the afternoon. We visited a local wildlife photographer called Jeff Harrison. He had an open day as part of the Cambridge Artists “Open Studios” month when over 200 artists hold open weekends throughout July. Jeff is based in Longstanton and specialises in kingfisher
photography but also has some fantastic shots of other wildlife.


Jeff Harrison photo

Afterwards Kate and I walked round Swavesey Pits – it was good dragonfly spotting weather.

Teasel at Swavesey

River by Pits

Esther visited Amélie Maya on Monday and we hope to go down this evening for 3 days. They seem to be coping OK apart from lack of sleep and multiple nappy changing!

Latest shots

love


Mike & Kate