daytime

Sunday, 2 August 2020

2^nd August 2020

Dear All,

Lockdown took on a different look this week as we met up with Beaumont folk on Monday, Ben biked up from Streatham on Friday, Mary and Graham called in on the way back from Scotland also on Friday, Mary-Ann, Andy, Amélie and Albert are due to arrive tonight and Esther and Emma plan to visit tomorrow!

We travelled down to Beaumont on the occasion of Bob Cole’s funeral. Numbers were restricted to mainly family despite the service being outdoors in gazebos in the cemetery. It was good to meet with his daughters Elizabeth and Jane who I had not seen for about 50 years and had trouble recognising behind face masks! We had lunch with David who displayed his culinary skills while Jackie took Jen to Colchester hospital. I had a tour of the farms with David – the crops have really struggled in that neck of the woods and also visited Beaumont Quay to yet again wonder how we enjoyed swimming there so much. We met Colin, Amanda, Megan, Sue, Ian and saw Gavin busy on the phone. After we met up with Dave Garlick in Frinton who has been unable to return to Ecuador since visiting his mother in Kirby in early March.

A good Onion crop

The latest Tractor

Beaumont Quay

I carried out my COVID 19 in-home antibody test this week involving a massive blood sample (one drop!) and a kit resembling a pregnancy test. Fortunately, I was negative for both virus and pregnancy!

Bloody Test Kit

Our Thursday walk was along the river to Earith and back on the other bank. It was a good temperature but Lawrie fell lame half way round and we ended up fetching him in the car.

Earith Gun Placement

Earith Lock gates

It took Ben about 5.5 hours to bike up on Friday and he originally intended to bike back the same day but was persuaded to stay overnight.

Ben Departing

Mary and Graham had spent a week with Helen and family at North Berwick and we were pleased to see them and act as a depot for goods that Jackie had order and for some reason been delivered to Helen. We are currently working on the storage rates!