27th September 2026

 

           Dear All,

After swimming on Monday I revised my harvest report for Sunday’s service – 4” rain March to July, 12.24” so far in 2026.

Geoff Pake called in the evening to carry out PAT tests on my projector and Lap top.

On Tuesday we harvested Gourds, Squash and Pumpkins ready for Harvest Festival. I also started digging in the FYM pile at the allotment while Kate has been battling with a serious weed flush on her patch.

I had another Addenbrookes appointment on Wednesday this time a DVD session on diet.

On Saturday we attended Gransden Agricultural Show, It is one of the proper Shows to survive with a good display of cattle, sheep, pigs and goats and numerous horsey events. There was a large craft tent as well as a produce display with fruit, veg, eggs, flowers and agricultural crops. The veg were not impressive but the rest were good.

 

 

  I got back in time to see Over beat Soham Reserves 2 v 1 then in the evening there was a Harvest Supper at the chapel.

 

 

 

Chapel Harvest Decorations

 

I had my show trophies delivered this week after engraving including a new one donated for the best onions.

 

 

 

Best wishes

 

 

Mike & Kate

 

20th September 2026

 

           Dear All,

We have just returned from a break in north Norfolk staying at Trimingham near Mundesley. We had a slightly quirky B&B in sight of the sea, it was compact with numerous curios and breakfast was served in our room. However breakfasts were excellent and the landlady very friendly.

View from our window

 

We attended Mundesley Free church Sunday morning which was unusual as the congregation were seated in circles of chairs but they were very friendly.

After we had a walk along the beach at Bacton then drove on to East Ruston to visit the excellent Vicarage garden with vistas down to the sea.

 

 

 

East Ruston

 

Finally we called in to Horsey where we saw a multitude of seals last year – this year there were none on the beach and just a few out to sea.

On Monday we visited How Hill which is described as “The Hidden Gem of the Norfolk Broads” and we had an excellent day including a boat trip and walks in very quiet surroundings.

 

 

A Norfolk Wherry

 

 

 

 

After we had a brief walk round Hornig which was much busier.

Tuesday it was Felbrig Hall and gardens which were a surprise as they were carefully looked after and showing no signs of the recent drought. We had a tour of the house then walked to the church and lake.

 

 

 

 

Felbrig Hall

 

 

Kitchen

We had a quick look at Overstrand on the way back.

Wednesday it was Holkham Hall and another huge garden which was not looked after quite so well but still interesting to see which plants had come through the drought best. There was a very good video introduction to the Hall and of course plenty of deer running round.

 

 

Holkham Museum

 

 Holkham Hall

 

Vast Glasshouses

 

 

Deer

Thursday saw us at Sheringham where we walked round both Pretty Corner woods and Sheringham Country Park in good walking temperatures.

 

 

Pretty Corner park

 

 

Sheringham Country Park

 

 

 

Vista to the Coast Sheringham Country Park

 

We had initially intended to stay until Saturday but a funeral of an ex NIAB colleague David White cropped up on Friday so we decided to cut the holiday short and attend. The funeral was at Haddenham and we were invited to lunch with Kate and Gordon beforehand. There were several NIAB folks there including Bob Jarman who was asking after Ben.

I managed to download and sort all the photos on Saturday and cut the grass before picking up Dave Harrower to watch the football. Unfortunately Dave collapsed after the match and banged his head quite badly and after treatment had to depart for Addenbrookes to be checked over. I have just heard that he did not get home until 3.30 am.

 

Best wishes

 

 

Mike & Kate

 

6th September 2026

 

           Dear All,

Sunday evening we collected Adriana from Cambridge Park & Ride station at 9pm. She is the pastor’s daughter from Burlacu, Moldova and this was her first trip abroad. She had spent time with an uncle in Dartford and friends in Bristol and we entertained her for a couple of days at the end of her trip. I have known her since she was a baby on my second trip to Moldova in 2007, she is now at university in Chisinau.

We decided to give her the full Cambridge tour on Monday catching the Open Top bus for an 80 minute tour, followed by lunch in Weatherspoon’s and a visit to the Fitzwilliam museum.

 

 

Adriana

 

 

Punting

 

 

Mathematical Bridge

 

The Round Church

 

On Tuesday we explored Ely with a tour of the Cathedral then a walk to the river. In the afternoon we showed her the delights of Over: the river, church, Hardinge statue, Community Centre and chapel. She had a 6.30 am flight from Luton on Wednesday so we were up at 3 am to send her off in a taxi – not fancying an early morning drive.

 

 

Ely Cathedral

 

 

We met up with Geoff and Janet Pake on Tuesday evening to take Adriana for a meal at the Porterhouse pub in Willingham.

Kate has been busily sorting questions for the Day Centre Quiz and I helped with the sport round and tidying the PowerPoint presentation.

In the garden I have been distributing the composted rabbit manure and digging some in in the top greenhouse while Kate has renewed the Strawberry bed. I have also sown Green Manure crops for digging in later.

 

 

Strawberry Bed

 

 

Peppers have been very productive this year.

 

 

Emma has been pinned back together but is still in hospital – they are hoping she will be able to go home very shortly.

 

 

Emma’s Leg

Kate and I have booked a week in Mundesley, Norfolk from next Saturday after I have had a scan and meeting with my surgeon on Friday.

 

Best wishes

 

Mike & Kate