13^th May 2018

Dear All,

As forecast last week this has been a family week meeting up with cousins on Wednesday and children and grandchildren yesterday. As it happened Brentwood/Hutton featured on both occasions as on Wednesday we met and ate at the Brentwood Harvester before walking in South Weald Park ending at John & Muriel’s in Upminster for reminiscences and tea.

Cousins at South Weald Park

At Upminster

South Weald Roe Deer

Yesterday we mostly met at Esther’s in Hutton before picking up Ben from Billericay station and enjoying a meal at The White Horse at Ramsden Heath. Andy was not able to join us as he had been sick through the night. He successfully completed the circuit of the Isle of Wight 2 hours ahead of schedule, but understandably exhausted.

Post lunch at Esther’s

Albert with Chocolate Ice cream

Amélie decorating William

On Tuesday I had a lunch with former NIAB colleagues at Girton Golf Club and one gave me a cheque for £400 for Moldova. After I had to address Girton Baptist Tuesday Afternoon Friendship Group on the Wildlife of Costa Rica – a fairly elderly gathering! And called on Brian Tyrell afterwards. In the evening I updated our house group on Moldova.

Thursday’s walk started at Wicken and went as far as Upware returning through Wicken Fen. It was sunny and even the fens came alive especially the herd of Konik ponies which were introduced to environmentally control the vegetation.

Konik Ponies

Break at Upware

In the evening we had a Street Pastor’s training session with the Police as they explained their latest policy of controlling the county with 100 extra recruits.

Still plenty of gardening and crops are beginning to motor

Love

Mike & Kate