26^th April 2014.

Dear All,

Early bulletin this week as we (John Law and I) are off to Moldova this afternoon.

It was our turn to mind Amélie this week so we travelled down Tuesday afternoon returning Wednesday evening. We spent most of Wednesday in Newhaven, initially on the beach under the fort then walking round town. It has clearly seen better days and much of the port seems to have been given over to recycling.

There is an impressive sandy beach, which apparently belongs to the fort and has been sealed off to the public for “Health & Safety” reasons. This is a great pity as the rest of the coast is huge pebbles.

Sandy beach

Not so Sandy beach

Newhaven Cliffs

Newhaven Docks

Easter comes but once a year!

The rest of the week has been spent packing, gardening and cricket square preparations.

On Thursday we were invited to Churchill College for a Red Cross fund raising lecture by Sir Gregory Winter on the role of Antibodies in medicine. He was very erudite and reasonably clear but I guess a good percentage of his audience struggled to keep up! It was quite interesting to hear not only the science but the way discoveries are commercialised by the major drug companies.

love

Mike & Kate

20th April 2014

20^th April 2014.

Dear All,

Well we survived our first experience of “Spring Harvest” and it was quite enjoyable. The teaching was good, I knew I would struggle with the singing – I am not keen on endless repetition, the accommodation was adequate and the company good. We were with Bob and Carol Kitson and the Addison family. We attended the main morning session each day led by Malcolm Duncan in a marquee holding 3000. In the afternoon we went to a seminar then got off site for a few hours and in the evening watched the main session on TV (thus avoiding serious singing!) before sitting in on a later film/comedy slot. One of the most impressive speakers was Barnabus Mam a Cambodian who had survived Pol Pot reducing 10,000 Christians to 200.

Accommodation

Main Marquee

Inside

Kate was keen to explore Skegness as it was her earliest seaside experience. It is actually in quite reasonable condition, but must boast the biggest collection of unhealthy eating offers anywhere in the country.

Welcome to Skegness

Healthy Eating

Boating Pool

We also drove out to Gibralter Point, a nature reserve that was severely flooded in December and walked up to Ingoldmells Market a huge outdoor market in a sea of caravans and fairground rides – cultural experience!

Gibralter Point

Ingoldmells market

Yesterday was spent trying to send a parcel to Moldova by courier (2 hours on computer), Messy Church (over 50 attending), watching the first half of Over 5 v 1 Soham Town Res. and catching up in the garden.

love

Mike & Kate

13^th April 2014.

Dear All,

It was good to see most of you yesterday as we enjoyed a well planned day for Jen’s 70^th. It is interesting to log the changes in both old and young when you do not see them too often. “Faith Farm” made an excellent venue for the activities as besides eating we attempted to hit clay pigeons, archery, golf and football targets and show skill on a mini digger. We also undertook a couple of walks in between serious chin wagging.

Rosie’s new career

Maid Marion?

Faith Farm

Still dextrous at 70!

On Monday night we had the annual chapel outing to the 10 pin bowling rink at Pidley, preceded by a meal. About 30 came for the meal and 24 bowled. I got a prize for “Most improved player” advancing from 82 in the first game to 144 in the second.

On Tuesday I went to Fenners to watch Cambs University take on Essex at cricket. Neither side found batting very easy but one Essex batsman (Bopara) scored 90 exactly the same as the whole Cambs team.

Fenners

Alistair Cook

I missed the walk on Thursday as my knee is still playing up but Kate led the short walk from Burwell round Wicken Fen on a pleasant sunny day.

We were invited out for lunch on Friday with some fellow walkers who both taught English at Anglia Ruskin University. We were joined by John and Carol Pook, the lady will be known to my children as a teacher from Swavesey. As they live close to the Botanic Gardens I had my second visit in 2 weeks.

I have been gradually accumulating things for Moldova and John came over on Friday night to make final plans as we are scheduled to leave in 2 weeks.

love

Mike & Kate

6^th April  2014.

Dear All,

Tom Webster has been down from Scotland this week. A few of the NIAB “Wrinklies” met up for lunch in his honour on Tuesday after I took him to the Botanic Gardens. He is understandably getting a bit frailer but currently has his right arm in plaster as he typically was determined to see whether he could ski on one good leg! The answer is evidently “no” as he kept falling over until he eventually cracked a bone in his wrist.

Tom and Prunus x yedoensis

He and his Cambridge hosts, Jock and Molly came for lunch on Friday and he back up north on Tuesday.

Last Sunday afternoon Kate and I visited the Hyacinth open day at Waterbeach. A local farmer, Alan Shipp holds the national collection and opens the site once a year to show 189 varieties and 10,000 bulbs. As you might imagine the scent is quite powerful.

Waterbeach Hyacinth display

I have been struggling with a swollen knee this week but it was tolerable on Thursday so I did the usual walk this week at Guilden and Steeple Morden. I don’t think it has improved the knee!

Steeple Morden church

Esther came up yesterday and Kate has been helping her make a wee dress – I can’t guess for whom!

I have spent non active time sorting vegetable seed packets for Moldova. We have been given more than 2000 packets from Suttons and Mr Fothergills but not all are suitable.

Over won 3 v 0 against Cottenham yesterday – a somewhat nervous performance as they approach the final furlong of the season 4 points clear at the top of the Premier League!

love

Mike & Kate