25^th April 2021

 

Dear All,

It was my turn for the “Can you spot the difference?” treatment this week – value for money I think you would agree?

 

 

Before

 

 

 

After

 

The other excitement was trading in our old heavy bikes that we have had for over 20 years for new lighter models. The trade in value was not great and the price of the new ones was! – but not as great as some, how can a bike be worth £7,000?

 

 

Easy Riders?

 

I have set up the camera I mentioned last week for 3 nights in the garden and one at the allotments. The results were quite surprising as it captured 3 badgers, 2 foxes, a muntjac and a very large cat here and a pregnant deer at the allotments. Consequently, I have reinforced protection in the garden! I have put the videos on Dropbox should you wish to see them.

 

 

Fox (the videos are better!)

 

Our walk on Thursday started at Dillington near Grafham Water. We were going to meet at Perry next to Grafham but the car park was £5 for 3 hours! The walk took in Perry, the edge of Grafham Water then back via Little Paxton Wood to Dillington. The bluebells were out in the wood but not fully and the elm trees were in full bloom. We had our first pub lunch in the garden of the Wheatsheaf at Perry and it was heaving so took a long time to be served. Fortunately, it was sunny and the novelty kept us going!

 

Setting Out

 

 

Perry West Wood

 

 

Bluebells in Little Paxton Wood

 

 

Elm Flowers

 

We had a Zoom session with one of the guys from Moldova last night which was tricky as his English was modest and our Moldovan non-existent, but we did manage to gather some information. Getting money to Moldova is a challenge as there are so many precautions against money laundering so it either involves drawing out 1000s in cash and going to a Western Union office or dribbling small amounts via card being careful not to exceed the daily and monthly limits. So far in Moldova only medical staff have had Covid vaccinations. Samuel who we were talking to, has had Covid as well as his brother, while his father has a chronic bad back. Igor who handles transport for us has also had Covid as well as his wife and both parents!

The theme of the photos in the Cambridge News this week was “Grand” and I had a photo of the Grand canal in Venice published. Can you remember a romantic couple getting married there and her father’s face when he received the bill for the gondola transport?

 

 

The Grand Canal, Venice

 

With love

Mike & Kate