daytime

Sunday, 19 July 2026

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

Sunday, 12 July 2026

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

Sunday, 5 July 2026

5^th July 2026

Dear All,

I feel as though I should issue a Medical Bulletin like they used to do for the Queen when she was poorly! I have enjoyed 3 hospital visits this week with a 4^th lined up for Monday. Monday I was summoned to the Vascular Studies Unit at Addenbrookes and after a wait of 1.5 hours a scan revealed a TIA. Tuesday I had a puncture in my bike and this necessitated a trip to St Ives to purchase a new inner tube.

On Wednesday I was back at the Spire for a consultation about the numbness in my arm which showed as degenerative disc narrowing on a MRI scan. The doctor decided that it was not serious and recommended Pilates.

On Thursday I was summoned back to Addenbrookes for a CT scan - I could sell postcards of various views of my body! Monday’s appointment is at the Vascular Surgery clinic so hopefully there will be some sensible action.

Adrian came for lunch on Thursday and on Friday I started cutting the hedge on Shaw’s side .I had time to finish a quiz for Over Carnival which is next Saturday.

Friday evening Kate cooked a meal for the Moldova Matters committee. We are currently a little short of money as one of supporting churches has stopped its funding.

Derek has supplied several bags of rabbit manure this year so we invited him and Joyce for afternoon drinks yesterday and donated a few vegetables as payment.

We have carted a boot full of water up to the allotment every day for the last month.

Ben has been cycling in the French Alps this week testing out part of the Tour de France course to see if it is suitable for the race and sent back some spectacular photos.

Best Wishes

Mike & Kate

Sunday, 28 June 2026

28th June 2026

Dear All,

On Sunday the week began with the celebration of Carol’s mother Etty’s 105^th birthday. There was a buffet after the morning service which we briefly attended before joining Esther and Emma who had come up to celebrate Father’s Day.

Sadly there was no swimming on Monday as the pool was being cleaned but we were entertained by 3 Irish gentlemen who knocked on the door offering to initially clean our solar panels and then extended the offer to pressure washing the roof tiles. We accepted their offer after negotiation and were pleased with the result although watching dancing around on the roof was nerve wracking.

At lunchtime I met up with 3 walking mates for a meal at Over Community Centre.

Tuesday I was back at the Spire for results of my MRI scan which showed some degenerative changes to the vertebral column and impingement of the nerves accounting for the numbness I often experience. I have another consultation next week to decide what next.

I mentioned a couple of times when my leg had also gone numb during the consultation so as an added bonus I have a possible TIA scan on Monday!

Otherwise it has mainly been watering and gardening. Harvesting garlic and onions and planting late squash. We also removed the electric fence which has been successful again.

Thursday there was another Over Show committee and Friday a Chapel Events committee.

On Saturday I was Judging Stapleford Produce Show where the standard is not high but gradually improving.

Ben arrived Friday evening with his curtains for Kate to line.

Best Wishes

Mike & Kate

Sunday, 21 June 2026

21st June 2026

Dear All,

We had another enjoyable week in Derbyshire after attending the penultimate service at Sutton Bonington where we were both interviewed.

En route we called in to open gardens at Middleton.

Middleton Old Vicarage

Middleton Village

Monday is traditionally Bakewell market day studying the cattle a sales and the street market. After we drove to Castleton planning to visit the Blue John caves but discovered the last tour was 3pm.

Bakewell Cattle Market

Castleton

On Tuesday Kate and I called in at Bolehill to visit Phil, Mandy and Natasha catch up on family news then moved 500 yards down the road to visit Kate’s old school friend Elisabeth who has been battling cancer for many years. In the afternoon we visited Ashbourne and Tissington.

Ashbourne Football museum

Tissington

On Wednesday we did join the tour of the Blue John tour which was quite an experience involving 260 steps down and up with little in the way of safety measures.