June

Summery wishes from Moley, the Emmaus team and myself! Monsieur Moley is pleased that Ipswich is getting a few more sunny days, so he can enjoy sunbathing once more. (In his opinion, it's about time, too!)

Did anyone see the Northern Lights over Suffolk in May? Although I didn't, I've heard that many others did. To follow that, there was apparently a free “Solar Party” outside Christchurch Mansion to give the chance to look safely at the sun through specialist telescopes. Moley wishes he could use one of those telescopes in the Dales shop's office, then he could make sure it's not going to rain when owner Mandy takes him out for a stroll round the car park. (As he likes to be warm and to look his best at all times.) Other Christchurch Park news is that a Tawny Owl has been seen back in the hole in “Mabel's tree” and that she has 3 owlets. Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to walk past at just the right time of day when the owl is there, peering down on all her fans. (Moley wishes he could take the owl's place, even just for once – he does so love to be adored and photographed. Since he doesn't think his little legs could manage to climb the tree, he wonders if a crane could lift him up there? And back down again later, when it's time for his tea...) There was also apparently a ceremony at the park's war memorial to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Appropriately, the Dales shop's little community garden (next to the allotment) is full of poppies once again.

Moley's got some updates for you that he's recently seen on the Emmaus Suffolk Facebook page. Apparently, there's a new Suffolk campaign called “Move More to Feel Better”, which is “a physical activity and movement strategy for Suffolk.” In line with Mental Health Awareness Week, the aim is “to build a healthier and more resilient Suffolk” by “supporting people to lead healthy active lives”. (Whatever your circumstances, e.g. it recommends walking as this is an activity people can do for free. Moley plans to take part by walking an extra circuit round the Dales office!) Additionally, Carr Street hub attendees made fantastic positive quote magnets to celebrate #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, plus a new hub space is being created in Felixstowe so that an Emmaus hub can be started up there again. A group of volunteers is kindly cleaning it up and painting it - very fitting for Volunteer's Week. Moley can't wait to see photos of their finished efforts! The Woodbridge 10k race is also featured, with the news that Woodbridge Shufflers running club ran it to raise money in support of Emmaus Suffolk. Moley is very impressed with the total raised: £3,273 - and that they managed all those steep hills! (Just the thought of trying that himself is making him feel sleepy...)

I saw an anonymous positivity quote online, which is: “When you can't find the sunshine, be the sunshine.” This is something I'm not personally good at as I'm very quiet and serious in person – I find writing helps me to express myself and my sense of humour. (Because I can redraft what I want to say.) Spontaneous Moley, on the other hand, brings sunshine wherever he goes!

After the productive planting at the Dales allotment, sadly it turned out that the snails ate a lot of the shoots in the greenhouse this last month. (Including most of the broccoli and sweetcorn shoots.) So gardening expert David removed all the plants from the greenhouse and hosed inside it. The snails also hide on the broad bean stems' leaves but you can also spot ladybirds there. The bees really like the stems' flowers as well. David also told me that the middles of the tops of the tallest broad bean stems needed removing and showed me how so I could have a go. He explained that these shoots mustn't get too tall, otherwise they'll end up with fewer beans (which are growing well). David also replanted the runner bean shoots into the ground with some tall sticks. I helped untangle some string and he tied several lines of it round the sticks. At the first June session, it was nice to see the stems growing up along the sticks and curling round the string, like last year. I pulled up last year's spring onions and David replanted the cabbage shoots into the ground, then he taught me to water around them. Many thanks to whoever kindly left some little tomato plants out for the allotment.

Moley's latest picks at the Dales are: sandals for hot days and comfy slippers for when winter suddenly reappears without warning! Party animal Moley would also like you to know that there's a great choice of summer clothes on sale, with plenty of colourful accessories – including handbags, purses, sunglasses, trainers, high heels, wedding hats and fascinators. One mannequin's modelling a long summer dress, while the other's displaying a bright summer top. On the clothing rails, there's also a top with a bird design on it and a jacket with a poppy design. Equipment for days out has recently included a crabbing net, rucksacks and umbrellas. There's a range of memorabilia for Cliff Richard fans, whilst Moley's spotted a little tree-shaped stand with mini photo frames hanging from its branches. (If he had his way, it would be filled with photos of him.) Look out also for a robin-themed mug, decorative plate and ornament, as well as a poppy table-mat set. During volunteering sessions on the till, customers have recently bought books, plates and jewellery. Garden ornaments have been donated, along with plant pots, a large poppy-themed bread bin and a set of wedding cake tins. The DVD section has featured “Cheaper By The Dozen”, “Michael McIntyre,” and “Gangs of New York”. Moley's spotted books such as “Queen Victoria” by Lucy Worsley, “Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey”, an Oasis biography and for sci-fi fans, “The Lost World”.

There's also quite a few cat-themed items, such as a black cat ornament, a “Cats & Dogs” DVD and a cat food mat, with cat food + water bowls, one of which is Garfield-themed! These fit well with my latest Dales shop read – a travel book by Dean Nicholson. He's a young Scotsman who decided to travel the world by bike in 2018 – at first with a friend and then alone, until he spotted a kitten on the road in Bosnia. After he fed her, the kitten seemed keen to stay with him and he found he couldn't say no. From the photo of her on the cover, it's easy to see why he lost his heart to her. Dean named her Nala after the “Lion King” character. (Especially since he saw online that “Nala” apparently means “gift” in Swahili. He felt this was appropriate, as having Nala in his life already felt such a gift.) As well as describing Nala's antics and the amazing landscapes, the author also reflects on adopting Nala and detailing their adventures on social media, which has led to fame. Also, the things which prompted him to use his and Nala's social media following to do some good in the world. (E.g. raising awareness of mistreated animals and environmental issues.) For instance, Nala certainly hasn't been the only abandoned animal Dean's found – she's become the first of many. Since he can't keep every animal he rescues, his website 1bike1world and social media accounts (all called the same) are useful ways of finding kind new owners for them and raising money for their veterinary treatments. Moley is especially chuffed that these rescue animals include dogs! (Moley's not sure if he could share attention with a kitten, but he wouldn't mind being taken round in a pouch on the front of a bike like Nala – so long as he could have it padded with his special fluffy blanket...) Just be aware, the author does mention drinking, casual drug use and a nearly fatal car accident (all from his earlier days). The book also contains upsetting descriptions of how animals and refugees have been badly treated and of situations where Nala's accidentally injured herself or gone missing. Plus, one section explains how the journey was affected by the events of 2020. This is all balanced with Nala's sweetness/sassiness, Dean's sense of humour and the adorable cartoons and photos of them. Plus, the way Nala, and the people he meets, inspire him to have a positive attitude, be kind, live in the moment and feel grateful for what he has. Checking back on the occasional cartoon maps of their journey helped me to keep track of all the places on the route. The cultures and scenery they encounter are fascinating – you'll feel like you're there every step of the way. (You can also watch their videos on Youtube of their travels mentioned in the book, and in the years since its publication.) And it's amazing to think how differently Dean's life has turned out from how it might have done – all from travelling and choosing to be kind to a kitten who needed help. (The cartoons show how becoming a cat owner and getting extra gear means that his bike amusingly ends up with a lot more belongings attached than he'd started with!)

I hope that wherever you are this summer, whether it's Suffolk or further afield, you get to enjoy the sunshine like Nala. (If you're travelling somewhere, a certain French Bulldog might be planning to hide in your luggage, so double-check before you go, to avoid any surprises at border security...) Take care, Heather.