13th September 2015.

Dear All,

It has been a big week in Hove this week as Mary-Ann and Andy produced a son yesterday at 10.20 am and Amélie started school on Tuesday.

I understand that the labour was not especially long but not without some difficulties as after triage the baby was showing some distress and had to be helped out with some suction. He (as yet unnamed) was 8lb 10oz which might explain the above. Both were thankfully OK last night even if one of them was rather sore!

Amélie started school at the age of 4 years and 2 months which seems a little premature but they manage these things very gently these days and I believe she has only put in two mornings so far and the school is just across the road. It is a bit different from being put on a bus to Thorpe!

Kate had spent the week in Hove again but had returned on Friday.

Our Thursday walk started at Offord D’Arcy this week on followed the River Ouse to Little Paxton Nature Reserve. It was sunny all trip and an excellent walk.

Offord Mill

Offord Church & River Ouse

I was judging at Shelford yesterday. It is a good show but with fairly fussy organisers who fiddle with the rules. The controversy this year was “Apples should not be polished” which is fine but some varieties are naturally shiny and it is very difficult to tell whether they have been polished or not – and of course it is always the best exhibits that you have to disqualify! It is good to get away before the exhibitors arrive!

I have planted Spring Cabbage this week both here and on the allotment and prepared an area for a new strawberry bed.

Love

Mike & Kate