dubai tick - copenhagen tick - london tick
part 4 of this overseas excursion is the next adventure
and the reason for the whole trip - cambridge graduation ceremony
but first - london has been quite full on so some english gardens beckon
a wander around the grounds of chiswick house with our host jan
she mentions she could walk around this place blindfolded
so the perfect tour guide as we marvel at it's serenity
the historical context of the place well appreciated
breakfast taken at the modern but symbiotic cafe
then farewells and into the pug to head north
a 2 hour journey on the busy but efficient motorway system
check-in to our hotel on the outskirts of cambridge
and a 10 minute bus journey to the heart of town
find an approriate looking cafe and settle in
we're here - excitement is quietly building
time taken to appreciate the trip so far
all very smooth and incident-free
some expert (lucy) planning paying off
then it's an initial wander around cambridge
we are in the company of a student/guide (holly)
into the grounds of trinity college and jaws drop
just stunning - 800 year old buildings the background
perfectly manicured green-striped lawns in the foreground
we are lucky and privileged guests in the beautiful chapel
statues of famous past students to behold e.g. isaac newton
back onto the cobble-stone streets to view other colleges
kings college in all it's glory and some familiarity
we see a sign inviting attendance at a choral service
that is locked in for a must-do on the coming sunday
we cannot dither too much today - we need to accessorise
there's a formal dinner booked in for tonight - need a tie
so a visit to the t-k-maxx store and mission accomplished
bus home, on with the glad rags and taxi back to queens college
meet up with the other 4 in our group and we are ready for dinner
across a moat and into the main hall of this most famous place
easy to go into timeless mode and imagine what has gone before
we are part of a centuries old tradition of meals in this great hall
the lighting is subtle so the darkish atmosphere adding to the ambience
the food itself of simple english fare - meat, gravy and 3 veg etc
but superbly cooked and presented and with ample wine to wash
it's also a jovial atmosphere as students re-engage
the mba course concluded 6 months ago so lots to talk about
for us in the audience it's a privelige to just observe
me - pinch, pinch, pinch - look where i am
soak it up and appreciate - easily done
taxi home - cambridge - woo-hoo
goodnight...
