23rd December 2018

Dear All,

Well it’s pretty close now, I hope you are all ready and will have an enjoyable time. We have partaken of a couple of Christmas lunches this week. On Monday it was with the ex NIAB “Wrinklies” at The Moat House at Bar Hill, there were 30 of us and the meal was good, much better than the previous year – you can never be sure with mass catering!

On Thursday it was the turn of the Rambling Group at the Orchard at Grantchester, this was more variable as my Turkey was fine but Kate’s beef was rather chewy and she had a long wait for cheese and biscuits.

Lunch at the Orchard, Grantchester

Swimming on Monday was bracing as the pool was rather chilly, but OK once you had gone numb!

NIAB celebrates 100 years next year and they sent out a request for photos to augment their collections so I took some in on Tuesday and met up with a few survivors. I dropped Kate off in Cambridge for a few last minute purchases then we travelled to Coton to supplement our fish tank. We had another Christmas “Bring and Share” meal at the Kitson’s as our home group celebration, followed by a “Sing, Say or Do” session on a Christmas theme.

We had a shortish walk on Thursday before the meal starting at Grantchester and looping locally via Coton and Newnham. We were entertained to mulled wine and mince pies in a member’s very grand and old house in Newnham. The man of the house is East German by birth and escaped from there by swimming across a river by night with a bicycle strapped to his back.

Grantchester

Newnham house for refreshments

River Cam at Grantchester

I collected Brussels sprouts on Friday with David Cook. My usual supply in Bedfordshire has dried up and as last year I had to go to Hilgay in Norfolk to collect stems which I think originated in Kent. The price was higher than last year but still cheaper than Christmas cards and the quality was better than expected after the dry summer. The distribution list now stands at 60 so that occupied the rest of Friday and Saturday morning.

Sprouts 2018

We rose early on Saturday and were in Tesco’s by 7am to beat the crowds – but we were far from being alone!

Ben should arrive Sunday, Mary-Ann, Andy, Amélie and Albert on Monday and Esther and Emma on Christmas Day. Andy fortunately flew home via Gatwick before the drone saga.

Best wishes to you all.

Love

Mike & Kate