daytime

Sunday, 9 August 2020

9th August 2020

Dear All,

Well it has been an action-packed week with Mary-Ann, Andy, Amélie and Albert arriving Sunday and staying until Thursday and Esther and Emma visiting on Monday. On Monday the children helped me pick beans and tomatoes and harvest the maincrop potatoes at the allotment. When E & E arrived, they had bird boxes to construct – which kept the adults amused albeit missing the target audience!

Bean Harvest

Potato Picking

Bird Box assembly

On Tuesday it was fishing at the Manderson lakes at Overcote. John Lane fitted A & A with rods and bread bait and they were very successful in catching several gigantic Rudd (nearly 4” long!). One of the lakes has become infested with American Crayfish so an added bonus was setting traps and catching a couple of these as well. This was followed by trips to the apparatus on Over green and the recent smart set up in Willingham.

Fishermen of England

First catch

Baiting the Crayfish traps

American Crayfish

On Wednesday the remaining birdbox was painted (Esther having taken one home). Lettuce were planted in “cut ‘n come again” pots, then it was back to Overcote for swimming and minnow catching in nets. In the afternoon we tried a Treasure Hunt round Swavesey with limited enthusiasm.

Birdbox painting

Finished article

Thursday morning was again spent at Overcote with more fishing and swimming before they departed in the afternoon. It was good to see them all after so long.

Overcote

Minnow haul!

We did a walk on Friday starting early because of the forecast temperature, parking at Knapwell and circulating via Childerley Hall and Boxworth with Dave Harrower. Despite the early start it was rather warm by the time we finished.