Sunday, 15 August 2021

 

15th August 2021

 

Dear All,

Mary-Ann, Andy, Amḗlie and Albert arrived on Friday after a long and traffic filled journey of more than 6 hours. First task was to fill the new paddling pool which took quite a long time but was completed just before our water supply was cut off because of a burst pipe in the village. The pool seems to have been a success.

 



 

Yesterday we had an outing to Wimpole Hall where they have spent a good deal of money constructing new extensive car parks some distance from the hall and even further from the farm, we concentrated on the farm and gardens. The farm was a little disappointing maybe because of lockdown but the gardens were good.

 

 


Wimpole Barn

 


 


Oxford Sandy & Black Pigs

 


Wimpole walled Garden

 

We expect Esther and Emma to join us for lunch today. Ben meanwhile has returned from Ireland where he suffered several punctures and was at the Test Match yesterday.

We had a second trip to St Ives on Monday to collect the framed photo of Edward the retiring Over Show man. It was market day and moderately busy. In the evening I had my first babysitting session for some time for Grace 6 and Arthur 4. Arthur cried for about 15 minutes – but it seemed longer – “He always does that when Mum does out” according to Grace.

Over began their football season on Tuesday night with an exciting 4 v 3 victory at Witchford and continued with a last gasp 1 v 0 result against March Res yesterday so are temporarily top of the league!

We had a surprise visit from Steve and Jane Bridgeman on Wednesday afternoon. Jane used to live opposite and both of our daughters were bridesmaids at their wedding. They now live in Littlehampton but are planning to pack everything up and volunteering in Zambia for a year. They have five children who are scattered round the globe, one in South Africa, one in Japan and another in the USA.

Our walk on Thursday began at Hardwick and took in Caldecote, Bourn and Toft. It was pleasant without being spectacular, A few combines were beginning to rumble and it stayed dry,


 

The Blue Lion, Hardwick

 

 


 

 

Bourn

 

 


Near Toft

I picked a 424gram tomato this week and the first aubergine. Most outdoor tomatoes as well as potatoes locally have been hit by blight.

 

 


Country Taste (424g) & Sungold (13g)

 


Aubergine, Bonica

 

The Cambridge News theme this week was “Water” and my contribution was the Niagara Falls.

 

 


Niagara falls

With love

Mike & Kate

 

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