Botanical Gardens, Cambridge

Catherine, who is now offering reflexology sessions, was free by the afternoon, so had invited me over to join her for a walk, and had settled on a visit to the Botanical Gardens in Cambridge. The journey over to Babraham was uneventful with generally light traffic, and as I had run slightly late because there were last minute tidyings necessary for a midday house viewing whilst I was away, I gratefully accepted a cup of tea before setting off.

Parking close by the Gardens was easy and we entered by the new gatehouse and it was interesting to note the snowdrops were already out here, and later I even spotted crocuses. As I had three cameras Catherine was able to use one or other and so lessen my burden of carrying all three! And she alternated these with her iPhone. After paying for our tickets, there was a strong scent which apparently was from some form of box, but try as we might we never found the actual bush, but it was certainly a wonderful way to start the visit.

 We took in the glasshouses, where for a while the sun shone milkily and earlier Catherine had found her iPhone battery was low and switched it off, which meant we had lost the alarm to remind us when to return to the car, and we panicked as we had completely lost track of time! Fortunately we found we still had a few minutes to spare, so we headed off to take a look at the new Sainsbury's building before wending our way back to the entry gates to return to Babraham.

Catherine then made toast and we had a late snack lunch before she had to head for home, and I stayed a short while longer with Jonah, before making my way back, but the weather which had till then at least been dry now began tipping it down with lightning and rumbles of thunder, and I set off with hailstones rattling on the windscreen. The roads were now awash with standing water, many times spanning the entire road width, and it continued like this till I cleared Duxford, when although it was still raining it was of a lesser strength, and by the time I entered Luton, it was just a light drizzle.

Christmas Family Dinner

This year has seen a new man in Catherine’s life – Jonah; and he generously invited me to join Catherine and the family to join him for Christmas Day. I was made to feel very much at home and it was far from a last minute thought, as his daughter Carly and husband Paul, and her mother and her husband must have known I was joining them as they both gave me presents when greeting me with Christmas wishes, making me feel extremely humble, as I had been aware that Carly and Paul would be there, and guilty that I had not thought to bring them anything.

We were all in the lounge barring Jonah who had his red Santa pinny on and was busy putting the finishing touches to the banquet that was to follow, away in the kitchen, but he did break off to welcome me. My entrance seemed to be the catalyst that started much activity on the present distribution and unwrapping front, followed by much oohing and ahing, and wows from twin grandchildren Holly and Poppy, followed by hugs and kisses.

The lighting was as warm as the atmosphere, as we all began chatting, and I learned Barry was guitar-playing Folk Singer, and Carol was a teacher, Paul was in Banking and Carly helped disadvantaged families within a London Borough. Much of the conversation revolved around memories of travel across Africa and the Far East, and this continued when we all were summoned to the Dining room and the sumptuous meal of beef, turkey, pigs in blankets and all the trimmings.

Two sets of crackers were pulled, one hand-crafted and one bought, the latter with the obligatory riddles, accompanied by the customary groans, Jonah was the last to join the table and was praised and thanked for the delicious spread before us. Whilst still in the Dining Room after eating our fill, we did attempt a new Trivia Game, but soon decided it was better played in the lounge, but to begin with, our ability to fathom the rules was no better in the new venue! There was much hilarity and good-humoured frustration, but we then decided on a change, and it seemed as if more time was spent trying to understand the rules than was actually involved in playing the game. Setting time limits was not universally accepted as being fair, and was a source of much banter and recrimination, and after both games, I think I was on the losing side, but it was marginally less hostile than playing  Monopoly!

Teas and coffee followed on and peace and relaxation took over; all too soon Carol and Barry were saying their goodbyes, and later I made the opening gambits towards leaving, and after more hugs and kisses, I thanked everyone and with Catherine acting as lookout I drove out of the gate, taking her directions to reach the A505 and set off for home. Most shots in the gallery were taken at 5000 ISO with very slow shutter speeds at almost full aperture; often at no more than 1/15th of a second!