6th January 2013

6^th January 2013.

Dear All,

Happy New Year to you all. Esther, Mary-Ann, Andy and Amélie left at various times on Monday in various states of health. Some of us had visited St Ives in the morning where the floods were still in evidence.

St Ives

Parting was not for long as Kate and I travelled to Godalming on Tuesday afternoon for the Wednesday childminding session.

We used our recently acquired National Trust ticket to visit The Devil’s Punchbowl on Wednesday and although it was misty the views were still spectacular.

Devil’s Punchbowl

Our Thursday walk started at Ashwell near Baldock and took in Hinxworth.

Friday was Rosemary Doggett’s funeral – an old church member who had not been quite with it for sometime. In the afternoon I took Mary Watts new Zimbabwean carer to St Ives to try and sort some bank issues.

Saturday was the U3A Ramblers Party at Newnham College. Preparations are always somewhat fraught as our Lt Colonel leader and the elderly spinster don who is a member of the college have slightly differing methods of preparation. Nevertheless the party was excellent. Members bring food so there is always a slight air of competition resulting in excellent food. Kate made a raised chicken and pork pie and received many compliments.

This year the emphasis was on celebrating our oldest member who reached 80 the week before Christmas and is still rather sprightly. I had to do a PowerPoint presentation of her exploits.

Love

Mike & Kate