28th December 2025

 

           Dear All,

There was a good turnout for the Carol Service last Sunday evening with the “star billing” being the “turn up and sing” men’s choir.

 

 

Ben arrived at lunchtime – on the train for a change!.

Monday and Tuesday were Brussels sprout collection and distribution days. David Cook accompanied me to Wilden in Bedfordshire and we assembled 50 stalks and a net which were all dispensed by Tuesday lunchtime.

We left for Hove by 9am on Wednesday and the roads were thankfully fairly quiet. After lunch we inspected Mary-Ann’s new allotment and a workforce of 6 of us was able to make some impact on clearing it as it had been left for a while.

Kate and I attended Holland Road Baptist church on Christmas morning together with a large congregation of more than 200. After we walked to Hove seafront which was packed with strollers with a few hardy souls in the sea. We met Mary-Ann, Amelie and Albert who had been encouraging friends in the sea.

Andy cooked a fantastic Christmas lunch which was greatly appreciated.

 

 

Hove Seafront

 

 

 

Brighton Old Pier

 

 

Christmas lunch

 

 

Present Time

 

Esther and Emma had acquired a new game called “Outsmarted” a bit like Trivial Pursuits but played on the screen with up to date questions and this proved very popular.

On Boxing Day it was back to the allotment where we again made an impression.

 

 

 

 

We called in at a local Garden Centre on Saturday morning and purchased a few fruit bushes to start the planting cycle.

Amelie and Albert were good company and spent quite a lot of time constructing kits between games and screen gazing.

 

 

Albert with Tank

 

 

Amelie with All Day Pyjamas!

 

Kate and I left at 2pm Saturday and got home safely despite a 60 delay at the Dartford Tunnel. So an enjoyable few days which as ever seemed to pass too quickly.

 

 

Best wishes

 

 

Mike & Kate