30th August 2026

 

           Dear All,

Last Sunday was the annual chapel picnic at the Manderson Trust fishing lakes. There was some initial doubt about it as one of the lakes was being partially drained to allow weed to be removed but it did not interfere with the picnic with a good turnout of 35, sunny weather and free ice creams.

 

 

 

 

   The Burrell family came to the picnic then departed for home in Norwich and we were left to assess the damage and rearrange the furniture!

Emma suffered a serious accident on Sunday while helping her mother sort her loft – she fell and was in considerable pain breaking her tibia and fibia and bruising her hip. Initially she was due to be sent to a London hospital for treatment but this did not materialise and it took until Thursday before a 7 hour operation in Basildon hospital.

 

Highlight of my week was taking delivery of two loads of FYM from Les Cook. It is good quality and well-rotted and I have already dug in a decent area – but gently of course!

Wednesday lunch time we were summoned to Norman and Rosemary’s to help celebrate their 65^th wedding anniversary.

We had our first decent rain for a long time on Thursday and already you can see the difference.

I have harvested 3 good melons this week and several Aubergines.

 

 We had a surprise delivery of flowers from Kate’s brother Philip this week.

 

 

Ben is on his travels again this time to Lichtenstein.

 

 

 

Lichtenstein

 

Over were held to a goalless draw yesterday in a match which ended in an absolute cloudburst

 

Best Wishes

 

Mike & Kate

 

23rd August 2026

 

           Dear All,

On Monday we were invited to Felicia’s 90^th birthday celebration at Kettles Yard Art Gallery in Cambridge. Felicia and Ian were members of our walking group. Felicia’s father was an American diplomat so she spent much of her childhood in Uruguay before returning to live in Arizona. She was at college with James Watson of DNA fame who courted her with the chat up lines” With your looks and my brains we could have wonderful children!” It was an interesting venue as we could look round the gallery for free. One of the guests was their relation Andy Hampsten who finished 4^th in the Tour de France twice.

 

 

Kettles Yard

 

Felicia & Ian

 

I had an appointment with the Spire on Tuesday and was signed off. Dr Andrews did not know I had an operation so was rather surprised. We mentioned Kate’s painful leg/hip and she said “Would you like me to take it on” and Kate was examined and X-Rayed on the spot and is still recovering from the shock. We await the results. In the afternoon I had a tooth cap replaced for the 3^rd time.

I have managed a couple of walks along the Burling concrete road so seem to be improving but my neck and calf muscle ache after a while.

We had a Show committee meeting Thursday evening to review the recent event and agree donations. We make enough to donate to the British Legion, The Day Care centre, Arthur Rank and the Community centre.

We picked the last of the Sweet Corn this week so retrieved the electric fence battery which has done a good job again this year.

The Burrell family arrived Saturday afternoon and are staying overnight minus Matthew who is laying a new floor. I think it is fair to say “we know we have got them”.

 

Over won their third match 1 v 0 Hemingford so are currently top of the league.

 

 

Best Wishes

 

 

Mike & Kate

 

 

16th August 2026

 

           Dear All,

Esther, Emma, Amelie and Albert arrived Monday lunchtime and we ate at the Community Centre. After inspecting the allotment and garden there was time for serious games including their current favourite Monopoly. Albert meanwhile has become a semi- professional Rubik cube solver and is willing to pass on solving tips to anyone interested.

On Tuesday we all went to Wimpole Hall as the children were keen to see the rare breeds but there were far fewer than there used to be just a large pig collection, a couple of heavy horses and a collection of ducks, chickens and goats.

 

 

Rubik King

 

 

 

Gloucester Old Spot family

The visitors departed after Wimpole and the next excitement was the Eclipse on Wednesday evening. Esther had equipped us all with special glasses and it was a memorable experience.

The main excitement of the week came on Friday as Amelie had chosen a “zoo experience” as her birthday treat and we all descended on Colchester zoo. She was able to help feed and clean various animals including Meer cats, elephants, cheetahs, sun bears and her favourites lemurs. The lemurs were especially friendly.

                                                         

 

 

Esther had also organised a giraffe feeding session for the rest of us which was an interesing experience as well.

 

 

Ben came back with us to collect the curtains that Kate has been relining. He is still clocking up the miles – a Marathon in the heat last weekend and yesterday’s run was the 244^th consecutive day!

 

Best Wishes

 

 

Mike & Kate

 

 

9th August 2026

 

           Dear All,

A few photos from the show last week.

 

  

Unfortunately our pond went dry due to the drought and hosepipe ban and it looks as though we have lost the fish.

My wound seems to be healing OK even if it looks a bit gruesome at present.

 

 

 

I had a telephone consultation with Addenbrookes on Wednesday and things seem to be going in the right direction. We have had a fantastic crop of figs this year – they really enjoy the heat.

 

 

We have booked a few days away in September at Mundesley in north Norfolk.

We did a moderate walk round Over Fen on Friday – the longest I have managed so far. Friday night Over football club hosted a pre-season tournament between 4 clubs and won it in less than ideal conditions due to the hard ground.

 

Best Wishes

 

 

Mike & Kate

 

 

2^nd August 2026

 

           Dear All,

It was Over Produce Show yesterday and although entries of Veg and fruit were down it was still a good display. I entered a few less due to the weather but still did OK winning 3 cups and 10 firsts. Kate won a flower arrangement and was 2^nd with bread.

 

 

 

 

 

 Kate’s Flower arrangement

 

The winning Dahlias

 

 

 Few Cakes

Otherwise I have been trying to sit back and not do anything strenuous which means extra work for Kate as the continuing drought still necessitates daily water carting.

On Wednesday we had a rare outing to the cinema to see the Odyssey which was action packed and rather violent. One of my old bosses at NIAB Jan Ingram came to see me on Friday.

Best Wishes

 

 

 

Mike & Kate

 

 

26th July 2026

 

           Dear All,

Well a very different week! My appointment with Addenbrookes was for 7am so a very early start via Trumpington Park & Ride. I was the first operation in the morning so was wheeled in before 8.30 am. I came round by 12.30 am desperate for a pee as the IV line had been hydrating me. I was left outside the operating room for ages as there no spare beds in Recovery. When I did make it to Recovery I was very well looked after by mainly Philipinos one of whom was christened Psalm! Kate was phoned and appeared quickly.

The night in Recovery was not a peaceful experience. First a late patient was wheeled in and the Radiography staff in charge made enough noise to wake the dead. This was followed by a French lady being upset by the treatment she was having and shouting at the staff and a translater was summoned to explain things. Next the man opposite woke evidently in great pain and started to scream the place down. Finally the man next to me had problems with his alarm and it kept going off every 10 minutes. I eventually managed to nod off at about 5 am just in time to be woken up!

 

 

Evidence!

 

My operation was to clear a blocked carotid artery in my left neck and it seems to have gone well. I was discharged by 3 pm Thursday and home by 5 pm. The neck is a bit sore and swollen but not too bad. I slept for 11 hours Thursday night, and went with Kate to Tesco’s Friday morning.

Esther and Emma called in en route to Norfolk for a few days.

There was a men’s breakfast on Saturday morning then Kate joined a conducted tour round the Bishop of Ely’s gardens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best Wishes

 

Mike & Kate