10th April 2016.

Dear All,

I have been packing a consignment for Moldova this week. This is far from an easy process, sorting and ordering a company on line is a tad more complicated than you would expect – the web sites never seem to flow very smoothly and sending seed is not straightforward as strictly each lot should be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate. However we had 1000 packets covering about 200 varieties and the seed has been donated so you cannot expect the donors to provide paperwork and it is not practical anyway. I have tried talking to DEFRA and the Plant Health Seeds Inspectorate but they have not come up with a solution.  I have been advised to label it as “Aid – no cash value”, this worked last time but this time I received a reprimand from TNT saying “you must always list the true value or you could be liable to a fine and returned parcel”. So far it has got as far as Liege – keep hoping for a safe passage!

I have spent a few hours rolling the cricket square and outfield this week, it is still very soft but matches do not start until 7^th May.

Our Thursday walk began at Ugley near Quendon (of Ugley Women’s Institute fame!). We dressed in waterproofs but were only subjected to occasional light drizzle. Philip led the short walk and was frustrated a couple of times by footpaths being closed by the railway and local council. A counsellor responsible for footpaths stopped to enquire whether we needed advice explaining that two girls had been killed crossing the line so they had tightened crossings. Philip disagreed rather forcibly giving his opinion that “people should be trained how to cross lines safely rather than close them for everyone!”

The Beautiful Ugley Chequers

Break in Elsingham Railway Waiting Room

Ugley Green

The other highlight evidently was me getting caught on barbed wire trying to climb over a gate – fortunately I had the only camera!

I did a talk at Soham Allotment Holders on Tuesday, they were a very friendly group who meet in the conservatory of a pub and a certain amount of improvisation was needed to project without screen or blackouts. They were not the most organised because when I arrived one old chap said “I don’t think we have a speaker tonight – I think it’s a plant swap evening!”

We have gardened a little between showers this week and Kate has started redecorating the Playroom.

Next door have completed an impressive fence between our properties, it is good to hide the building activity but strange after 45 years without one.

We were on Street Pastors on Friday night. It was quiet for the first two patrols but lively after 2 am with two serious drunken youths and a couple of altercations and “amusing” taunts of “are you hungry – here come the Street Pastas!”

Love

Mike & Kate