2^nd February 2014.

Dear All,

Esther stayed over until Monday and we went shopping in Cambridge for her birthday/Christmas/ this year/next year? present of a smart TV. This was successfully purchased at John Lewis and she was able to pick it up from the “Park & Ride” distribution point on her way home. My car suspension has been clunking for a bit so I had that fixed on Monday as well.

The “Be Healthy” talk this week was mainly on liquids – we drink 45 tons of water in a lifetime, and fats: saturated, unsaturated, trans and cholesterol. The U3A film was “Before Sunrise” which was a bit too romantic for several of the aged audience who left before the end! In the evening it was the chapel events planning meeting suggesting activities for the year which the “Events Committee” have to now sort out.

It was serious painting on Wednesday as we are redecorating Esther’s old room. Kate has done the preparation and gloss work, I have been trusted to apply the finishing touches to the ceiling and walls: one blue and three cream.

Don’t photograh me!

On Thursday I led the Abbots Ripton walk that we had recced the previous week. Unfortunately the weather was far worse as it rained most of the way and visibility for the splendid views was rather poor.

 Damp Walkers

Abbots Ripton Hall

I arrived home from this at tad damp and weary and was delighted to receive an email from our esteemed leader requesting a swap for next week as the scheduled walk is flooded and bringing forward our next leading duty from March to next week. Consequently we were out at Horseheath yesterday scouting the route for next Thursday. Kate decided to try a “gentle” walk and managed the 8 miles of mud! But her foot swelled a bit afterwards. It was quite eventful with mud and swollen streams, I slipped over and made a big impression then we met the local pheasant shoot. There were about 25 guns who were doubtless delighted to see a couple of hikers strolling through their patch!

 

Horseheath Walk

The “Biography” this week was “Mary Queen of Scots” whose life was fairly eventfully crowned at 6 days old, married at 15, widowed at 17, remarried at 23, husband murdered 2 years later, remarried same year. Imprisoned, executed 20 years later.

Love

Mike & Kate