18^th May 2025

 

           Dear All,

I will begin with the missing photo from last week’s cousins gathering taken outside the Norris Museum in St Ives.

 

 

Mary, Mike, Stephen, David & Margaret

 

As the drought continues we have been busy watering every day including carrying water up to the allotments. 1mm so far this month and 3 inches in 3 months!

Our new Bread Maker arrived this week but it is as yet untested. We have booked a holiday in North Italy for September but not without some drama as I accidentally booked it for 2026 instead of 2025 but fortunately it was easily remedied!

Norman Foster eventually decided he would like to grow tomatoes again this year having changed his mind a few times – but being Norman it involved us sorting pots and peat and planting. Church Group on Wednesday was at Norman Ingle’s and Bob Kitson who is increasingly frail managed to fall over and sustained a badly cut knee, a damaged nose and various other injuries. He has fortunately recovered quite well – comes with having a boxer as a father!

After the meeting Kate and I went down to the Manderson Trust fishing lakes as we are looking to hold the annual chapel BBQ there instead of Kitsons.

Our walk this week started at Newport and took in Rickling and Wicken Bonhunt – where there is still no blue plaque to say “David Day studied here!!” It was a much cooler day so good for walking with more hills than normal and a visit to the oldest barn/chapel in the country. As Kate and I were celebrating 54 years of wedded bliss we brought everyone a drink at lunchtime.

 

 

Leaving Newport

 

 

John Bowmer (Esther & Ben’s teacher) looking startled

 

 

May Bush

 

 

St Helen’s chapel, Wicken Bonhunt

 

 

Interior

 

Having reduced the size of all the Moldova photos so that they are suitable for email and letters, Newsletter editor Philip requested the originals which took some sorting. On Friday evening we took Bob and Carol with us to celebrate the wedding anniversary for a meal at the Porterhouse in Willingham.

Saturday morning I gave a talk on the recent Moldova trip at the Willingham Men’s breakfast and they seemed very appreciative.

 

 

Star Billing!

 

Best wishes

Mike & Kate