1^st December 2024

 

Dear All,

We managed a swim on Monday and dropped off a present for Nathan Burrell’s 2^nd birthday at Rachel’s workplace in Histon. “Balkans” this week started Albania. Our lecturer worked there as a volunteer teacher and had led tour parties so knows the country quite well. It has had a very checkered history including 42 years under Enver Hoxha who fell out with Tito, Stalin and Mao in turn and supressed all religions.

 

 

Albania

 

“Eat Well – Live Longer” continues to be depressing as we studied the effects of diet on Blood Cancers, Parkinson’s disease, Liver & Kidney disorders.

On Tuesday I drove to Kentford to pick up two boxes of seed from Fothergill’s which they have donated for Moldova – the small job of sorting 2000 packets awaits! After the family Zoom session we did a twilight walk round Over Fen.

Kate broke a tooth 3 weeks ago and the first appointment she could get was Tuesday this week. The dentist took so long explaining the options and struggling with a camera which was playing up, she did not have time to carry out any treatment. Fortunately Kate was able to get another session on Wednesday to patch it up.

In the spirit of Black Friday I ordered a new computer this week as guided by “Stan the Computerman”. He spent several hours swapping and saving files but when I came to check most of the recent ones were missing, so he came back again on Saturday to sort this out.

 

 

One of 13 colour options!

 

Our Thursday walk started at Guilden Morden and took in Litlington and Steeple Morden. It was frosty but sunny so ideal walking conditions. Our efficient leader had brought J cloths to cover a very slippery icy style – Health & Safety!

 

 

Leaving Guilden Morden

 

 

Between Litlington & Steeple Morden

 

 

Health & Safety

 

 

Steeple Morden Church

 

It was my turn to present at “Biographies” this week and my topic was William Cobbett of “Rural Rides” fame. He started as a Ploughboy but had a remarkable career visiting America twice and France after the Revolution. He was fearless in upsetting all authority and eventually was elected to Parliament. His Rural Rides took him to virtually every county in Southern England and recorded a very accurate picture of the suffering of Agricultural workers. (More on this subject available on request!)

 

 

William Cobbett

Kate came in with me to listen and after we began a little Christmas shopping.

Mary-Ann and family have inherited a chicken run from Esther & Emma and are now the proud owners of 3 fowls.

 

 

Pollo, Daisy & Grey (at present!)

 

It was the Grand switching on of the Christmas lights on Over Green on Saturday evening together with carol singing and numerous food and gift stall, - it does seem as though Christmas is on the way!

 

 

Merry Singers!

Regards

Mike & Kate

 

24th November 2024

 

Dear All,

We did not manage our usual swim on Monday as one road from Willingham was closed and another had a huge queue for traffic lights so we turned round and abandoned watery exercise. I used the time to transplant autumn raspberries. I then had the usual two U3A Zoom sessions, “Balkans” finished Bosnia then covered Montenegro which only has a population of 636,000 and is very mountainous with one road from Mt Lovcen descending to Kotor via 58 hairpin bends!

 

 

Montenegro

 

“Eat Well & Live Longer” was a bit depressing covering Pancreatic, Oesophical, & Prostate cancers.

On Tuesday I helped Geoff Pake clear the tomatoes out of his greenhouse then we did a short recce at Papworth St Agnes for a walk we have led previously but never found the correct path. In the evening, I went to Swavesey History Society for a talk on Agricultural Workers in the 19^th Century – how people survived on 11s per week for a 60-hour working week.

I managed some digging on Wednesday clearing up where we had a bonfire while Kate lifted Dahlias for the winter.

We were leading the walk on Thursday starting at Graveley and taking in Papworth St Agnes and Yelling. We started in rather chilly frosty conditions but the sun came out to make very pleasant walking.

 

 

Graveley

 

 

Early Frost

 

 

Approaching Papworth St Agnes

 

 

Graveley Wind Farm

 

 

Graveley Shelter

 

The Biographies subject this week was Elizabeth Garrett Anderson who was an English physician and suffragist. She is known for being the first woman to qualify in Britain as a physician and surgeon and as a co-founder and dean of the London School of Medicine for Women, which was the first medical school in Britain to train women as doctors. She had a real battle to get accepted for training and was the only woman doctor for 19 years. She was also the first lady mayor in England in Aldeburgh.

 

 

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

 

We had a Men’s Breakfast on Saturday with a man called Jonathan Gibson who had initially worked for Lloyds of London then changed to be a cabinet maker, worked in Chuna, trained as a junior school teacher, joined a building firm before setting up on his own offering electrical work, plastering, tiling and plumbing while studying for an MSc!

Kate was part of the catering team for the breakfast and is currently preparing for the Chapel Bring & Share meal. Over beat Ely Res 6 v 1 yesterday in rather wintery conditions to maintain their position at the top of the table. In the evening, we joined Merv and Pat and three others for “Call My Bluff” in the Church Hall. It was preceded by a meal and although very well organised went on rather too long.

 

Finally, a photo from last week as every National event of importance is marked by woolly additions to the village post box!

 

Regards

Mike & Kate

 

17th November 2024

 

Dear All,

There was a big turnout for the Remembrance Day gatherings at the War Memorial and the two churches.

 

 

Memorial Gathering

 

 

Wreaths & Poppies

 

After swimming on Monday, it was U3A Balkans – this week Dubrovnik and Bosnia followed by Eat Well and Live Longer – Blood Pressure and Colon Cancer both on Zoom.

 

 

Dubrovnik

 

 

Mostar, Bosnia

 

On Tuesday we emptied the water butts on the new shed by draining then into the pond via a hosepipe. Later we met up with some ex-NIAB colleagues for lunch at Girton Golf Club and called in a refurbished Oakington Garden Centre.

Wednesday morning, I was fitted with new hearing aids – verdict – wait and see! It was then on to Cambridge Weatherspoon’s for lunch with a couple of walking mates and Rob & Penny who are planning to emigrate to Australia shortly as both their children and families are settled there.

We walked on Thursday this week starting at Therfield and taking in Green End. Sandon and Kelshall. We started in November mist again but it cleared with short flashes of sunshine.

 

 

Misty Start

 

 

Icknield Way

 

 

Autumn Colours near Sandon

 

 

Sandon Hall Gatehouse

 

 

Sandon church & Lych gate

 

The Biographies subject this week was Adelaide of Orleans a very influential French lady in the 18^th century. She was only 12 when the French Revolution took place and had to go into exile. Her father was executed but eventually her brother Louis Phillipe became king. Adelaide did not get married but was the power behind the throne and he discussed every decision with her.

 

 

Adelaide of Orleans

 

Ben arrived Friday night to meet up with old school friends this weekend. He warmed up with a 24 km run Saturday morning as he is running the Battersea Park Marathon next weekend.

Over beat top of the table Shelford 2 v 0 Saturday afternoon to replace them at the top of the Cambs Premier League.

Regards

Mike & Kate

 

10th November 2024

 

Dear All,

 After swimming on Monday I tuned into U3A Balkans, this week it was Croatia which was familiar in parts.

 

 

Dubrovnik

 

 

Plitvice National park

We walked on Tuesday this week starting at a new venue in the village of Abbotsley and taking in Croxton, the deserted Medieval village of Weald and Hail Lane. Abbotsley is a very attractive village and it was a very rural walk with several long green lanes.

 

 

Abbotsley

 

 

Site of Weald

 

 

Abbotsley Green

 

Wednesday reads: collected new glasses, Tesco’s, Church Group, Digging and Trump re-elected!

On Thursday we received a visit from Rachel, Grace, Arthur and Nathan Burrell who moved from Over to Norwich last year. Grace now 8 years old is very bright and good company, Arthur 6 is a middle child and needs a little attention and Nathan nearly 2 seems to be very quick on the uptake.

They stayed until Saturday morning and left leaving behind one pair of trainers, one jumper and one anorak! The house has nearly recovered!

 

 

Arthur & Grace

 

 

Nathan & Arthur

 

 

Nathan & Rachel

 

On Thursday evening I had an Over Show Committee where the earth-shaking decision was taken to include crafts in next year’s show.

 

The Biographies topic this week was Pope Pius IX who was head of the Catholic Church from 1846 to 1878. His reign of nearly 32 years is the longest of any pope in history. He was notable for convoking the First Vatican Council in 1868 and for permanently losing control of the Papal States in 1870 to the Kingdom of Italy. He was elected as a liberal and become very conservative.

 

 

Pius IX

 

Over had another hard-won victory on Saturday beating Foxton 1 v 0 to rise to 2^nd in the league.

Regards

Mike & Kate