16th April 2017

Dear All,

Ben cycled up yesterday taking five and a half hours and plans to return this morning. We have just come in from a 6 am Sunrise Service in the orchard. As usual, the sun was shy about rising in public and had to be photoshopped into the pictures.

Albert has survived the first session of his two stage operation. I guess it was a little traumatic for him - and his parents. Mary-Ann sent a photo of him in recovery!

Kate and I had a rare shopping expedition to Cambridge on Monday after swimming. I needed a few more things for Moldova and Kate purchased a shelf ladder from the Futon sale.

Shelf Ladder

I did a Moldova presentation to our home groups on Tuesday and a “Modern Vegetable Varieties” talk to the NIAB Retired Association on Wednesday. In the evening we went to the theatre to see “Abigail’s Party” which was very good.

Our Thursday walk began at Chevington south of Bury St Edmunds and took in Hargrave and Chedburgh. The weather veered from hot in the sun to distinctly chilly when it went in and the ground had set like rock around wheelings and horses hoof marks.

Chevington Church

We marked up the cricket square on Thursday afternoon and began serious grass trimming ready for the new season. I have been replacing wooden slats in the front of the bike shed. The wood was shaped so I ordered it from our local wood yard and it was not cheap!

Our Wisteria at the front has come out this week and looking magnificent.

Love

Mike & Kate

9th April 2017
19 Willingham Road,

Over,

Cambridge.

CB24 5PD

Dear All,

Kate had a consultation at Addenbrooke’s on Wednesday. It went well after an initial scare when they asked for a scan on her right breast as there were some lumps that they were not happy about. The outcome was however favourable and they have agreed that she need not take any tablets at present having studied the possible side effects and balanced this against the possible gains. She has to go back again in July.

We had an “Esther Day” on Tuesday tackling her garden which she has not had time to master due to the Respite Care she is undertaking. After cutting the grass, weeding the front garden and raised beds, clearing out the greenhouse, harvesting last year’s potatoes, Planting tomatoes and sowing 2 of the raised beds – you could see where we had been!

 

A few before & afters

I fetched the cricket roller from its winter quarters on Wednesday and have rolled the square a few times so I guess summer is just round the corner? Kate has cleaned the glasshouse panes this week and I have renovated the “George Day memorial” garden furniture. Dad helped me make these about 25 years ago and like “Trigger’s Broom” there is very little of the original wood left but they have great sentimental value.

Our Thursday walk was fairly local starting at Great Wilbraham and taking in Little Wilbraham and skirting Fulbourn. It was warm and sunny throughout and firm and dry underfoot. Philip our ex military leader joined us for lunch but 10 weeks on a cruise round South America has left him far from fit.

 

We were on Street Pastors on Friday night. It started fairly quietly but as usual got busier after midnight. The worst incidents both occurred in night clubs: a head butting with copious blood and a case of very serious projectile vomiting. In both cases the bouncers eject those involved and leave them to fend as best they can. The sick guy needed considerable attention but fortunately his mates eventually claimed him at 3 am chucking out time.

Albert had a pre op session this week and has to have a small op. next Tuesday. He cannot eat or drink beforehand and this will exercise him very greatly!

Love

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Mike & Kate

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2^nd April 2017

Dear All,

We were down at Hove again this week, fortunately without breaking down but we were very aware of the spot when we drove past! The weather was not great but we managed to walk to the beach as well as carry out some shopping for the next Maldova trip. Amélie is showing signs of artistic talent – especially on any available wall! and Albert seems to pick things up very quickly and is not what you would call a fussy eater!

 

Before travelling down on Tuesday we attended the funeral of Phil Doggett an ex deacon and fruit grower in the village. He was a classic case of being stuck in the wrong job as he was a sensitive soul who loved reading and writing but ended up doing a practical job that he was not cut out for. In later life he took to going round dustbins collecting items that could be cleaned up and reused – but he did not reuse them but stored them in his house and sheds which gradually overflowed.

We had an excellent walk on Thursday starting at Clophill in Bedfordshire. Philip Shaw was meant to be leading the short walk but has returned from a 10 week cruise round South America somewhat worse for wear with a persistent chest infection. His wife described the cruise boat as “a bed of infection” with 13 people being invalided home. It did not make me want to go on a cruise but I guess it was just a poor example? The walk took in the “Greensand Ridge” and several woods. The first bluebells were just showing in flower and there were copious celandines, primroses and anemones. We saw three buzzards – one very close and a roe deer.

Maulden Mauseleum

Greensand Ridge, Clophill

Another good week in the garden planting late potatoes, celeriac, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflowers and tomatoes and sowing parsnips, salsify and carrots.

Merv and Pat returned from St Lucia having underestimated the power of the sun on the first day with red and peeling flesh!

Love

Mike & Kate