21st July 2019

Dear All,

For some reason the swimming pool was very quiet on Monday and Kate and I had it nearly to ourselves for the first 30 minutes – and it is much more enjoyable if you are not weaving in and out and avoiding bow waves. It was the last week of mid-week cricket matches this week as the youth leagues finish with the school term. I prepared three wickets on Monday and from now on it should only be one for Saturday games, however they are expecting excitement from the World Cup victory (?) and arranging another Kwik Cricket tournament next Tuesday.

We were down at Hove on Tuesday/Wednesday as Mary-Ann has started work again at the Archaeology Dept. and we looked after Albert and collected Amélie from school. Wednesday was warm enough to visit the paddling pool and have lunch at Fat Boy Slim’s café on the sea front. The kittens are still the centre of Amélie’s life although they have to share the limelight with the tropical fish she had for her birthday. Andy has been in the US all week.

Mud Cocktails

Tarzan of the Paddling Pool

Kitten Therapy

Our Thursday walk started at Wicken and bordered Soham and Burwell. It was a new route which did not include much of Wicken Fen. One of our number developed a balance problem after 5 miles or so and had to be helped along a narrow rough stretch between a dyke and fence. We met a large herd of Konik ponies with foals and both Kate and I got bitten by horseflies.

Near Soham

Konik Ponies

The lady next to the cemetery allotments died earlier this year and the hedge between us became very overgrown so we purchased a cordless hedge trimmer yesterday to remedy the problem.

Over beat Cambourne yesterday chasing 196 and racing to finish before the rain.

We are planning to sort Esther’s garden on Monday and I am meeting up with Ben to attend the Test match v Ireland on Wednesday, sadly he has had yet another bike stolen this week.

Love

 Mike & Kate