18th December 2011

18th December 2011.

Dear All,

Highlight for Kate this week has been presentations to mark her retirement – even though she has a week to go. Takeda were very generous donating an I-pad, a copy of “Rosetta Stone” for Spanish, some tokens and a smart flower arrangement. Those far eastern folk have a great respect for old age!



Presentation

Highlight of my week was having a load of manure delivered which amounted to 38 barrow loads and warmed me up on a cold day. We had our first snow on Friday which did not settle here but it was “white over” at Little Chesterford.


Manure delivery

Our Thursday walk was a relaxed circuit of Cambridge, STOPPING at places of interest and a mince pie and mulled wine halt at one of our member’s houses. We saw several historic buildings that I had not seen before.

Remains of Barnwell Priory

Chesterton Towers

I popped into NIAB on Tuesday to see how they are coping without me. The site is unrecognisable with houses springing up like mushrooms.
The Tuesday film was “The French Can Can” and Art Appreciation covered Van Eyck, Raphael and Cranach.
I fetched a Christmas tree yesterday from Fenwick’s plantation – still the best value for money at £1 per foot and this year complete with cones. Football watching was rather cool but 3 v 3 result helped keep the spectators interest.
Christmas plans seem to be firming up in that Kate, Ben and I have been invited to Esther’s for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Mary-Ann, Andy and Amélie hope to join us for Boxing Day and then Esther and Andy have to return to work so those who are able will come to Over with Esther joining for the weekend – at least I think that is what is planned!

love


Mike & Kate

11th December 2011

11th December 2011.

Dear All,

Well it cannot be delayed – Christmas draws on. This week we have shopped, posted parcels to far flung nieces and nephews, delivered the church cards and finalised (?) plans as to who will be where and when.
Kate and I travelled to Hutton yesterday to meet up with Esther, Mary-Ann and Amélie. Amélie was very bouncy and Esther had purchased a storage unit, table and filing cabinet from IKEA which needed assembling. Actually the construction was easier than expected, I guess they are improving all the time?







U3A film was “12 Angry Men” – reminiscent of my jury experiences!
U3A Art Appreciation was Leonardo, Venice and Florence
U3A walking was fairly local starting at Eltisley and visiting Caxton, Cambourne, Bourn and Great Gransden. 10.3 miles, firm underfoot but very windy.

love


Mike & Kate

4th December 2011

4th December 2011.

Dear All,

On Saturday Kate and I went to the Fitzwilliam Museum to see the two current exhibitions: “Vermeer’s Women – Secrets and Silence” and “Treasures of Vienna”. Not bad and good value as they were both free!



Vermeer, The Lacemaker

Fitzwilliam Museum

Our solar panels are producing electricity but registering them with the power company has proved far from straightforward and needed daily progress chasing phone calls.
We had a meal at Ely in the “Old Fire Engine House” with some of the walkers on Monday – it was very good. Kate had already been out at lunchtime to celebrate a success at work – a project she has been working on for 2 years has been upgraded to “drug discovery”.
The U3A film was “Of Gods and Men” 2010 based on a true story about some French monks in Algeria peacefully co existing with the local Muslims until a gang of militants became active and abducted them. It was well done but 30 mins longer than it needed to be.
Art Appreciation was on Michelangelo and after Kate joined me and we started Christmas shopping.
Walking started in Arkesden and visited Brent Pelham and Clavering, a mere 11 miles.

Clavering
I had lunch with some old NIAB colleagues on Friday and then finished digging in the mustard for green manure.


Digging complete

The Over match was abandoned after 20 mins yesterday as one of their players suffered a very bad broken leg and the ambulance took about 45 mins to arrive.
We have been out to lunch with the Whitfields, opposite today – first time in 40 years!


love


Mike & Kate