30th November 2025

 

           Dear All,

10 Turning Points in European History this week covered the conflict between Prussia and France in 1807. Prussia had been powerful under Frederick the Great who built up the army and expanded their empire, but by the time Napoleon came along they had got stuck, the generals were old and the army outdated and unhappy due to excessive discipline. Napoleon humiliated them under their new king Frederick William III but he had a remarkable Queen Louise who Napoleon referred to as “the only man in Prussia”. She inspired a complete reform of the country sacking all the old generals, replacing the cabinet, creating a Ministry of War, training the army, promoting on merit, abolishing serfdom etc. The new army was able to help defeat Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. We also covered the abolition of the slave trade in Britain in 1807.

We have had Jenny Miles for dinner most nights this week as her husband Tony is in hospital very ill and she is rather confused.

In the garden this week I have harvested the last of the peppers and also Sweet Potatoes and cleared the bottom glasshouse. Kate is doing battle with the weeds on her allotment.

On Wednesday Derek Medlock and Joyce came for coffee, Norman Ingle for lunch, Adrian for afternoon coffee and Jenney for dinner!

I have been trying to supplement the free seed donated for Moldova with some targeted varieties and have been able to source bulks of Water Melon seed and Tomato Gardeners Delight this week.

On Thursday we walked from Graveley via Yelling and Papworth St Agnes. It was our first real taste of mud in recent times so it was a bit of a challenge.

 

Graveley Coronation Shelter

 

 

Duck House

 

 

Papworth St Agnes old Bake house

 

 

Papworth St Agnes cottage

 

 

Yelling Moss covered cottage

It was my turn to present the Biography on Friday and my choice this time was “Capability Brown”, Every time we have visited a stately home or castle it seems the grounds have been laid out by Capability Brown so I wondered just how extensive his efforts were and what he was like. He came from a humble background but learnt both gardening and architecture on the job and ended up working on over 100 projects many of which are still viewable today. He numbered 5 Prime Ministers, 15 Dukes and King George III as clients and ended up as Lord of the Manor at nearby Fenstanton. I could go on but will save it until I can bore you in person!

 

 

Capability Brown

 

In the evening we held a Games Evening at the chapel featuring Beetle, Snooker, Putting, Darts, Linkee, Dominoes, Wii and Jenga amongst other things. Esther, Emma and Ruth (Emma’s mother) came up and joined in.

 

 

Adrian, Emma & Esther at Beetle

 

 

Jenga Tension

 

 

Hurricane Grange and Cool Hand Dean!

 

Ben is on his travels again this time to Italy where he has not been impressed by the punctuality of the trains. Evidently Mussolini making them run on time is a bit of a myth!

 

The Coliseum

 

Over lost a hard fought cup game 2 v 1 to West Wratting yesterday. We are joining the Anglicans for an Advent service tonight – so the build up to Christmas is beginning!

Best wishes

 

Mike & Kate