21st April 2019

Dear All,

We began Monday with a trip to Cambridge to return the SP keys then proceeded to the dump as Kate has been clearing the loft, then off to Waterbeach to fill 6 bags with recycled green waste. In the afternoon I sorted Ken Elsom’s garden as he is recovering from a stroke: earthing up spuds, rotovating the remainder of the garden and planting lettuce and sowing carrots and parsnips. Back home I sowed leeks, Runner and French beans. The blossom in the garden is fantastic – but we could surely do with a good rain.

I gave a report on the recent Moldova visit at the Tuesday home group and several extra folk appeared.

Wednesday was a full day beginning with one of Philip’s famous briefings for the U3A Dartmoor walking holiday in May, followed by a NIAB Wrinklies meeting covering 100 years of soil science. In the evening we had a chapel visit to Bakers farm in Swavesey where David Baker has started from scratch and built up a business with 130 ewes, 30 beef cattle 200 hens and 20 pigs. He has them slaughtered then does the butchery and retail himself. We then just had time to get to Over Garden Club for a talk by Richard Ayers the ex-head gardener of Anglesey Abbey.

Baker’s sheep

Wessex x Duroc pig with golden sheen

On Thursday our walk started at Arrington and took in Croydon and Wimpole Hall with yellow flowers everywhere: cowslips, celandines, dandelions and of course oilseed rape – with an odd bluebell thrown in.

Wimpole Folly

Break in the Woods

Friday morning was another session on the cricket square followed by sowing sweet corn sprouting broccoli and lettuce.

I had a long chat with John Bell yesterday while trying to arrange the next cousin’s reunion. He has lost his driving licence at present due to a series of blackouts.

This morning we had a 6am sunrise Easter Service in the orchard – and for only the second time in 10 year the sun actually made an appearance!

Love

Mike & Kate