Dear All,
We had two days in Derbyshire this week. On Monday we drove up to
Duffield to meet up with Kate’s mother’s cousin Michael Severn and his wife
Pauline. He is a retired headmaster and has spent considerable time researching
the Severn (Kate’s mother’s line) family tree. This includes trips to Canada
where cousins were sent as Barnardo’s Boys as well as visits to Flanders to
find the grave of Grandfather’s brother who was killed in the 1st
World War.
Pauline & Michael
.jpg)
.jpg)
Military momentos
After we called in at a log cabin development at Darley Dale and
then on to Bolehill to catch up with developments (or lack of them!). We stayed
the night in a farmhouse B&B at Western Underwood – where wheat harvest was
just beginning!
.jpg)
Bolehill
On Tuesday we visited Calke Abbey near Derby. This was given to the
National Trust in need of repair but they decided to preserve the house as it
was and not completely renovate it. There are many rooms crowed with “stuff”
including a plethora of stuffed birds and animals in glass cases. The grounds
were huge with herds of longhorn cattle, rare breed sheep and deer. There is
also an attractive walled garden – so well worth the visit.
Calke Abbey
Walled Gardens
On Wednesday I was invited back to NIAB to learn about a new project
they are starting called “The Hasse Hub”. They have won a £500K grant and been
given a packhouse at Soham to look into waste in food production. Tesco’s are
on board and several organisations gathered to express interest and support. It
remains to be seen whether I have anything to offer but it was an interesting day.
Kate led the walk on Thursday that we had recced the previous week.
My left foot was swollen so I rested it. The instructions with “Febuxostat”
warn that “it can take 6 months to kick in and can initially make symptoms seem
worse”. I think I can concur!
On Friday we had a briefing - military style! for our Flanders trip
at the end of the month: maps pinned to wall, routes outlined, menus to choose
from, battles explained, deployment of vehicles planned. I don’t think we have
to dress in military uniform for meals but I am not ruling it out!
Love
Mike & Kate
No comments:
Post a Comment