daytime

Sunday, 30 October 2022

30th October 2022

Dear All,

Dave and Ana Garlick were here Sunday afternoon from Ecuador to take the evening service so we did not get away until after 7.15 pm to drive down to Hove. It was a steep learning curve to undertake the first meaningful journey in the new car in the dark, pouring with rain with the rotovator in the back blocking the rear view. However it is nice car to drive and we made it in one piece. We were in Hove on grandparent duty as M-A was working and Andy in Stockholm. The rotovator was on board because Mary-Ann and Andy wanted a tatty unlevel area of grass levelled and reseeded. That was the first task Monday morning this was followed by a trip to the swimming pool. Amḗlie has just passed grade 5 and can swim well and Albert managed to do a width recently so was very keen to demonstrate his skill.

On Tuesday it was pumpkin carving followed by a trip to Brighton Marina. After lunch in Weatherspoon’s, we went rock pooling under the chalk cliffs, as the tide retreats it uncovers a large stretch of chalk with many pools.

Pumpkin Carving

Lawn Improvement

Rock Pooling

Back home on Thursday our walk started at Wyton and Houghton in rain so it was into waterproof clothing but by 11 am the sun was out so much sweating and stripping! Kate and I were leading one of the walks which went by Houghton Mill, via the water meadows to Hemingford Abbots, Hemingford Grey and St Ives.

Autumn Leaves in Wyton churchyard

Reflections

Hemingford Abbots

Houghton Mill

The Biography subject on Friday was Pamela Churchill Harriman who left school at 14, eventually married waster Randolph Churchill, got on well with Winston and was hostess for many visiting dignitaries. After divorcing Randolph, she had countless affairs including with Avril Harriman the US Ambassador to the UK, married again to an American Impresario for a few years until he died then married Harriman after his wife died. Through him she became heavily involved with Democratic Party politics and was made US Ambassador to France – not bad for leaving school at 14.

Pamela Churchill Harriman

In the evening we ran a quiz to raise funds at the Day Centre. It was heavily booked with 70 attending and several being turned away. Kate thinks up all the questions and I was Quiz Master. It seemed to go very well despite being very crowded and rather warm.

Quiz Night

Meanwhile the Chapel School rooms were being painted during half term, apart from the walls the drab brown ceiling was painted white for the first time and this has made a significant difference.

Decorated School Room

Kate has been struggling nights and mornings with the Polymyalgia as she has determinedly reduced the daily intake of steroids – possibly too quickly and the doctors has advised a slight increase.

The Cambridge News feature this week was “Falling” and I managed two entries – one of which might be familiar with my daughters!