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

 

 

19th July 2026

 

           Dear All,

It was my turn to lead the evening service last Sunday and I chose “What have the Tech Billionares Ever Done For Us?” based on the Monty Python sketch.

We were back swimming on Monday after a maintenance break. Later I went with Richard Cox to get the Over Show boards redone for this years event. A local draftsman with an A3 printer does the job for us.

Wednesday it was the Over Garden Club Summer party at Carolyn Redmayne’s there was food, a quiz and the results of the growing competitons and I was 1^st for number and weight of potatoes and number of carrots.

 

 

Carrot entry

The quiz had a round matching national flowers wirh World Cup countries which was very tricky.

We have been harvesting onions and shallots this week and Kate has strung them, we have also dug early potatoes here and at the allotment  varieties: Lady Chrystl. Jazzy, Caledonian Pearl and Charlotte – yield is not great but the quality is good.

I was the speaker at the Willimgham Men’s Breakfast on Saturday and I presented “Capability Brown”.

Lookimg round the garden this week I was pleased to see the first ever hazel nuts, also the new grape vine looks promising and there should be a decent crop of figs.

 

 

Hazel Nuts

 

 

 

Grapes

 

Figs

 

 

 

Best Wishes

 

Mike & Kate

 

12t^h July 2026

 

           Dear All,

 

It was carnival time again this week – they have switched to every other year which is more manageable. The chapel book a double slot featuring goodie bags for children, a tossing game, a quiz and a heap of lego. It was of course very hot but seemed to go well but the accompanying fun fare gets larger and more expensive each time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earlier in the week we met up with some former NIAB colleagues for lunch at Girton golf course and erected the electric fence round the Sweet Corn at the allotment. Rabbits have also been nibbling squash which is unusual but I guess it is a source of water for them.

I have planted lettuce this week and resown them and salad onions.

On Monday we were back at Addenbrookes Vascular clinic for more tests following which I have a date for an operation for the removal of plaque from my left side carotid artery on 22^nd July.

Best Wishes

 

 

Mike & Kate