8th October 2023

 

Dear All,

It has been a fairly busy week which I started with a swim plus Merv but not Kate who was nursing a cold.  I then cut the cricket square in preparation for winter maintenance, followed by beginning to dig in mustard as green manure. In the evening we had a CEEM meeting in Willingham but I had to fetch Philip from St Neots as his usual lift was not free. We had a decent meeting deciding how to spend £5,600 Gift Aid money which Gordon our new treasurer has efficiently reclaimed. Fortunately, Gordon volunteered for the return journey to St Neots.

On Tuesday I wrote up the minutes of the CEEM meeting before the serious pitch winter work: scarifying, aerating, reseeding, fertilising and adding loam top dressing. We managed a good gang of five this year which made it much easier. In the afternoon I planted the over-wintered alliums: garlic, onions and shallots and erected barricades against neighbourhood cats who want to use the land for toilet purposes!

 

 

Pitch Maintenance

 

I had been phoning and emailing the Moldovan Embassy to try and sort out ways of getting seed into the country and I actually managed to speak to a lady who was very helpful.

I spent most of Wednesday helping Adrian with his garden as he has a bad back. Kate and I dug his potatoes in the morning then in the afternoon after church groups I dug enough land to plant his onions and garlic.

Thursday’s walk this week started at Nuthampstead and took in Barkway and Reed. There was a decent turnout of 32 in the two groups and reasonably easy walking. Nuthampstead was the site of an American airbase in the war and there are memorials inside and outside the pub. We also came across a fine set of Charolais cattle.

 

 

American War Memorial

 

 

Near Nuthampstead

 

 

Papa Charolais

 

 

His Family

 

 

In the evening we had an Over Produce Show committee meeting with the usual 20 item agenda from our very efficient secretary!

Friday went: Tesco’s, Haircut, digging here, digging the allotment so did not need rocking to sleep! Followed by the family Zoom, Albert advised me not to have any more haircuts as I have so little to spare!

On Saturday I accompanied a couple of our walking colleagues to the Cottenham Ploughing match. It is one of the oldest Ploughing Societies in the country and very well supported with 55 entries and a high standard of ploughing.

 

 

Popular Grey Fergie

 

 

David Brown

 

 

Straight Furrows

 

 

Nearly Finished

In the afternoon I watched Over 5 v 2 March Res then in the evening it was the Cricket end of season dinner and awards. John and I got a package of beer for our work on the wicket.

Kate has been busy with a paint brush this week touching up the garage door and Patio door surround. She has also been tidying up flower beds here and at the allotment as well as entertaining the usual suspects: Arthur, Grace, Rachel, Nathan, Lorna, Janet and Norman Ingle as well as a visit from Sue Whitfield to tell us about Tony Bridgeman’s demise.

 

Mike & Kate