21st October 2018

Dear All,

It has been another fairly busy week as it included two days in Hove and so far four Powerpoint outings with three to come in the next two days.

On Monday we managed fit in a swim before teaching “Just Vegetating” this week it was “Aliums” and Kate’s recipes were: Chestnut & Shallot Tarte tatin, Stuffed onions, Leek, Saffron & Haricot Beans and Caramalised onion marmalade. Recipes can be negotiated for a fee!

On Tuesday I did a report for Riverford on the previous week’s Brassica open days then we drove down to Hove, happily an uneventful journey. Mary-Ann had a parent/teacher meet up on Wednesday so we were minding Amélie and Albert. Amélie has settled back into school very well and the teachers seem pleased with her, but she has a lot of catching up to do. On Wednesday we walked into Brighton or rather Kate, Mary-Ann and I walked, Albert has a “motor bike” that he is keen to ride everywhere. The streets were decorated with 50 brightly coloured snails to raise money for a hospice so this made the journey more interesting.

Simon Says

Easy Rider

Snail Trail

Our Thursday walk started at Arkesden and took in Wicken Bonhunt, Rickling and Clavering. We started in quite thick mist which did not clear until nearly midday but it is an attractive area. In the evening I had to nearly retrace my steps to speak at Ashdon garden club which was quite lively with over 40 present.

Arkesden

Familiar to David?

Atmospheric Mist

“Biographies” on Friday featured “Eamon De Valera” of Irish presidential fame. He had a tough upbringing and spent his life being in the right place at the right time and was the 2^nd longest European ruler in the 20^th century (after Franco). In the evening we ran a fund raising quiz at the Day Centre. Kate thinks up most of the questions and seemed to go well.

The Quiz

Saturday I was speaking at Willingham Men’s breakfast mainly on Moldova then the Parish Council had ordered 10 tons of soil to fill in the drainage cracks on the Green. Fortunately several volunteers turned up so we managed to finish in 3 hours or so.

Fun on the Green

Then Mary, Graham and Rosie arrived and we were pleased to see them and share lunch. Jonny, Charlie and Danny were attending a “Living History Fair” at Wood Green. I managed the first half of Bar Hill v Cambridge City Res. Then it was a surprise party for Richard Fenwick for his 70^th birthday.

Love

Mike & Kate