11^th August 2019

Dear All,

Kate and I spent most of last week in Hove helping mind Amélie and Albert now that school holidays have arrived and Mary-Ann is back at work. We drove down on Monday evening when it was relatively quiet and made record time. Albert was at nursery on Tuesday so we took Amélie for a picnic near Devil’s Dyke and explored the South Downs. The weather was fine and with plenty of flowers and butterflies to chase Amélie was very happy. After we drove down to Shoreham-on-Sea where there is a wonderful array of houseboats of all shapes and designs.

Butterfly Hunter

South Downs

Shoreham-on-Sea

Sussex v Glamorgan

In the evening Mary-Ann and I watched Sussex v Glamorgan in a floodlight T20 cricket match which Sussex won very easily.

On Wednesday we took both children to Newhaven, Paradise Park. This has an excellent mixture of Museum, scientific exhibits, Dinosaurs,  Plantarium, Sussex heritage trail, train ride, crazy golf and play-ground so it was not too difficult to keep them amused.

Paradise Park, Newhaven

Plantarium

Sussex Heritage Trail

Albert was at nursery again Thursday so we took Amélie to the South Downs Heritage Centre at Hassocks which has Farm exhibits, a food hall, garden centre and art gallery. After we took another picnic up Wolstonbury Hill which had great views and even more flowers and butterflies. We left for home at 8pm and had another good run.

Farm Machinery, Hassocks

Walking towards Wolstonbury Hill

Summit of Wolstonbury Hill

John Lane and I prepared a cricket pitch in damp conditions on Friday morning but both teams managed to lose yesterday in rather trying windy conditions. Later on Friday we picked the first Sweet Corn and plenty of Tomatoes, Runner and French Beans.

We were on the streets Friday night but the combination of wind and rain resulted in a rather quiet night with few incidents – which also makes for a long night and plenty of walking.

With love

Mike & Kate