26^th September 2021

 

Dear All,

It seems to have been a fairly busy week catching up after a few days away. On Monday we resumed swimming at Impington with Jenny and Mervyn. The pool was a couple of degrees below optimum, but it felt like more! It was good to get back and quite hard work after a break of about 18 months. In the evening I had a Garden Club talk at Gransden, so life is edging back to normal.

On Tuesday we were minding Arthur for the morning and we took him to Doddington as I needed some plants from one nursery and we had coffee at a nearby Garden Centre. He is quite keen on tractor spotting and that area of the fens is exciting territory! In the evening there was a church meeting – completed in record time after which the Gregory’s and Adrian Hart came for coffee and a viewing of our Scottish photos.

Wednesday we were in Cambridge for a briefing on our next trip with the U3A walking group to the Cotswolds. As usual our ex-Lieutenant Colonel outlined plans like Montgomery at Alamein, but you cannot fault his enthusiasm and efforts. As it was a sunny day, we had a picnic in the Princess Di memorial garden.

Our Thursday walk started at Quendon between Saffron Walden and Stanstead and took in Rickling Green, Manuden and Little London. It was fresh territory for us with some attractive villages and another herd of deer.

 

 

Manuden Churchyard terrace

 

 

Little London Face

 

As assistant leader of the U3A Biography group I get the PowerPoints to assemble for those who cannot cope with modern technology. Our ex-Theology lecturer George Rowlands is an excellent chap but his visual aids and talk delivery are somewhat lacking. This week he sent 20 poorly photocopied pictures to be sorted from the life of Lise Meitner, who escaped the Nazis to become a leading physicist.

We were at Tesco’s early on Friday and fortunately managed to fill the car with diesel then by chance met Merv shopping – so another cup of coffee!

Saturday was Gransden Show. It is a small agricultural show which manages to keep a good display of animals, machinery, produce and craft stands. There was an especially good entry of sheep of many breeds and you can guarantee meeting people you haven’t seen lately.

 

 

Champion Sheep

 

 

Sheep x mammoths?

 

 

Shire horse

 

 Pigmy goats

 

 

Fruit Champion

 

I got back in time to watch Over 2 v 1 Linton.

Digging has started in earnest this week beginning with the Sweet Corn land both here and at the allotment ready for planting overwintered alliums next week. We also have to carry out the winter maintenance on the cricket square which is complicated this time as the chap who normally arranges things is off sick and we could not find out whether he had ordered the trailer, seed or fertilizer! All will be revealed – hopefully!

 

With love

Mike & Kate