15^th November 2020

 

Dear All,

Not too much to report this week, perhaps reflecting that the 2^nd lockdown is going to be harder to fill than the first when there was more to do outside? I have finished up various bits of digging and cut the grass maybe for the last time this year? Otherwise I have harvested vegetables in the Elsom’s garden, helped Adrian dig some of his, chopped up logs from a bush we cut down at Norman Fosters and distributed veg to the Ingles and Robert Smart in exchange for some rhubarb plants. Adrian is a professional gardener but gets so tired working in other people’s gardens that he runs out of energy when it comes to his own. He always used to resist help but I managed to do a bit earlier this year and on Tuesday we sorted most of his plot – he just needs a little encouragement! The Ingles had the allotment plot that Kate now shares, Norman gave it up last year and wife Brenda has been battling cancer for about 5 years.

 

Adrian’s Before

 

 

Adrian’s After

 

Kate made a Christmas cake this week as preparations for the season begins but we can’t keep up with our daughters who have both installed Christmas trees and hoisted decorations – their excuse is entertaining younger family members!

 

Emma & Esther – Christmas comes early

I had a ZOOM session with Terry and Phil regarding Moldova. Phil is a German chap from St Neots who is keen to help so we have been sorting responsibilities. We hope to produce another Newsletter before Christmas so have been contacting folks over there for updates. Igor, who drives and translates for us was running a transport business, but the Covid situation has run this down so incredibly he is now working for an American company doing logistics on-line arranging pick-ups and transport in the US from Moldova, working from 3pm to 3am! The big news in Moldova currently is another Presidential election and there are high hopes of a victory for Maia Sandu an anti-corruption candidate. Elections are rather unpredictable these days but maybe they have turned the corner?

We have walked most days but our longer walk on Thursday started in Fen Drayton then Fenstanton, the RSPB Lakes, the river, then back through the lakes to Fen Drayton. It was fantastic weather for November but very muddy by the river. We also encountered a closed footpath outside Fenstanton which involved a deal of backtracking and the new route came up to a 6ft dyke – which I thought I could jump – but Kate (wisely) thought otherwise – so that meant another longish detour

.

 

Eleny Lake, Fen Drayton

 

 

Jumpable Dyke?

 

 

Holywell Ferry Boat In across the River Ouse

 

 

A little sticky underfoot

 

 

Reflections in Over Sandpit Pond (from an earlier walk)

 

 

U3A classes have continued on ZOOM. The Origins of Christianity is interesting to see how much of the Biblical account is corroborated or not by other historical sources. “Biographies” this week was a little different taking “The history of Aborigines from 1788 to today” led by an Australian history teacher. There were an estimated 300,000 when the first penal colony was established in 1788 this had shrunk to 25,000 by 1950s due to killing, disease and alcohol. Some of the massacres were appalling and, in some states, they were exterminated completely. However, things are now improving and they have been granted land rights and government of their own areas and PM Rudd even apologised for their treatment.

Kate has been filling any spare time by rubbing down and oiling our old dining room chairs.

Well as I said – not much to report this week!

 

With love

Mike & Kate