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

 

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