18^th October 2026

 

           Dear All,

Last week’s quiz raised £1040 for the Day Centre, a little less than last year but still worthwhile. I have had three trips to Cambridge this week for U3A classes, Tuesday it was the 2^nd session of World War I: Rivalries, Tensions and Triggers with the rise of Kaiser Wilhelm and the assassination of Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand. He was an avid hunter who kept meticulous records of the 274,889 birds and animals that he slaughtered in his career!

Kate had a covid jab on Tuesday and unfortunately reacted badly and has been feeling poorly ever since.

It was my turn to lead the Bible study on Wednesday so you can ask me anything about Malachi!

My next U3A session was Travel Writers on Thursday discussing “The Road to Oxiana” by Robert Byron. It was published in 1937 and covers his 10 month visit to Iran and Afghanistan mainly studying the architecture. He was an ex Etonian from a privileged background and some people in the class were annoyed by this while others thought it an excellent travel book.

Later I cut the grass, resowed Mizuna and Pak Choi for winter salads and removed all but one tomato plant.

The Biographies topic this week was Sarah Churchill Duchess of Marlborough she was an English courtier and noblewoman who became one of the most influential women of her time through her close relationship with Anne, Queen of Great Britain. She became the Queen’s closest advisor and ended up extremely wealthy due to shrewd investments. She was responsible for Blenhiem Palace being built and was devoted to her soldier husband John Churchill but managed to fall out with all of her surviving 5 children.

 

 

Sarah Churchill

Later Kate helped me at the allotment topping the asparagus and moving a little more muck.

 

 

It was a Men’s Breakfast at chapel Saturday morning with Neil Thompson as speaker, he used to captain St Neots cricket team when we played them in chapel matches. He is now fund raiser for the Romsey Mill Project needing to find 2 million pounds a year

Romsey Mill is a charity committed to overcoming disadvantage, challenging injustice and promoting social inclusion with young people, children and families. Each year, they work with over 2,000 individuals and families, from Cambridge city and across areas of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough,

 

 

Neil Thompson

 

I watched Over Reserves beat Histon Hornets 2 v 0 while the 1^st team held table toppers Shelford to a 0 v 0 draw.

Ben is off to Sierra Leone today running in a charity Marathon and Esther and Mary-Ann are in Glasgow for a depleted cousin’s reunion without Emma and Jacky.

 

Best wishes

 

Mike & Kate

 

11^th October 2026

 

           Dear All,

After swimming on Monday we visited Oakington Garden Centre and I purchased some Spring Cabbage plants to replace my pigeon damaged plants and some Broad Bean seeds which I sowed later. Kate also purchased some perennial plants.

On Tuesday I had a dental check up followed by the first U3A session of the term on the history of World War 1 with an introduction to the Great Powers of Europe particularly looking at the problems facing Asquith in 1914. These included Poverty, Industrial Unrest, Female Suffrage, and Ireland. I followed this with a flu jab

Wednesday was the annual Brassica Open Days in Lincolnshire. I travelled with Vaughan and David who volunteer in the walled garden at Wimpole Hall. We had a damp start but it soon cleared up. We managed to visit 6 sites: Hazera, Clause, Sakata, Syngenta, Elsoms and Tozer. Considering the drought most plots were not bad. Highlights included the Clause Calabrini, Sakata Orientals, Syngenta Salads, Elsom’s Radicchio and Tozer’s Squash.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We met up with the U3A walkers for lunch on Thursday as they were meeting at Over, it was good to see them as we have not been walking recently.

Biographies restarted on Friday where the first subject was Will Adams (1564 -1620) the first European to visit and settle in Japan...

He arrived in Japan as one of the few survivors of the ship Liefde under the leadership of Jacob Quaeckernaeck. It was the only vessel to reach Japan from a five-ship expedition launched by a company of Rotterdam merchants the predecessor, of the Dutch East India Company. Soon after his arrival in Japan, Adams and his second mate Jan Joosten became advisors to shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu. He took a shine to Adams and was loathe let him leave.

 

 

Will Adams

 

Friday night was the annual quiz which we organise to raise funds for the Day Care Centre. As usual Kate thinks up most of the questions (I am allowed to do Sport).It was the 17^th time we have produced the quiz and it went well with Rebecca helping the computing and Adam introducing improved audio equipment. There were 82 present and we await the financial result.

 

 

 

Best wishes

Mike & Kate

 

4^th October 2026

 

           Dear All,

After swimming on Monday I planted Garlic, Shallots and over wintered onions. Kate had a doctor’s appointment and discussed her painful hip and knee and was recommended physio and given a booking for Friday.

 

Here she is practicing:

 

 

I have been tackling the FYM mountain and have dug 3 patches so far.

 

 

 

There is still some colour on Kate’s allotment.

 

 

 

Kate gave Adrian a bread making lesson as he has been given a machine.

Bob Kitson had a trial session at the Day Care Centre as he has regressed quite badly in recent weeks.

I have been working on my Biographies subject this week, this year’s choice is Robert Louis Stevenson. U3A term begin on Monday and my other course is WW1.

Someone posted some interesting photos of Over Green through the seasons on Facebook this week;

 

 

Over thumped Longstanton 5 v 0 in a cup match yesterday.

 

Best wishes

 

 

Mike & Kate

 

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