So, as I said in the last blog, we’re up in Cambridge now - once again at the Cherry Hinton club site and we’re here now until new year. There have been arrangements to be made, appointments and so on, but all that is progressing well - and we have already had a fair bit of free time on our hands.
I mentioned too in the last blog that we’d been having a go at vlogging - daily in fact - and we’ve been delighted with the response - and had some great feedback, so we’ve decided to continue now things are getting sorted. It’s also proving to be a welcome distraction from current events.
It’s also given us the opportunity to have a trip or two down memory lane. On Saturday we had an amble around Cherry Hinton while Trev recalled his childhood - from where he was brought up, his first school, where he played and where he got his first job. It was a lovely morning and I even learnt some stuff about him too. Check out our video HERE
In the evening we were delighted to welcome fellow caravanners and now very dear friends Amanda & Allison for an evening of reminiscing, gossip - and yes an ale or two. We had a cracking time and wish them the very best as they’re follow their dream and prepare to start a new life in Scotland.
Sunday saw us on a day trip - to, er Brighton - and I must say it felt very odd going home for the day. We needed to pick up some paperwork regarding Trev’s Mum and it gave us the chance too to sling some stuff in the washing machine and pick some clean clothes up. It was foggy and icy on the way down - at least for the first half of the trip, but the majority were behaving sensibly behind the wheel. Coming back it was extremely wet and good sense seemed have deserted many in the quest to get where they wanted to be.
On Monday we spent the day in Cambridge getting the bus in from just around the corner from the site. The roads surrounding were as usual heaving but the city centre itself - away from the shopping centre, was quieter - helped considerably by the fact that the colleges are largely empty - most of the students having gone home for Christmas. The Market Square was our first pause followed by a climb up the tower of Great St Mary’s Church. An amble along Kings Parade and Trumpington Street was next before heading for the back and taking in that most iconic view of Cambridge; Kings College Chapel across the meadow. Just beautiful.
The was of course a brief pause at a pub for a spot of lunch at what is reputed to be Cambridge’s oldest pub, the Pickerell Inn in Bridge Street.
Legs were starting to tire as we made our way across Jesus Green and Christ’s Pieces before jumping on the bus back to the site. The day was a great reminder of what a beautiful city Cambridge is. There are two videos to accompany - HERE and HERE
Much of Tuesday was taken up with those necessary appointments following a death - first the Registrar then the young lady who will be conducting the service on Friday. We did however make it to a pub. Obviously.
The Cambridge American Cemetery at Madingley received the attentions of the Blogger in Black and Portly Partner on Wednesday morning. We’ve been here a few times over the years and it may seem an odd thing to do but it is very beautiful, very calming and a great place for a few moments of reflection too.
Newnham was next and gave us the opportunity for a bit of reminiscing - we both came here as kids to play in the pool - although some years apart! Yes, there’s a video which you can find HERE
I think I went to Anglesey Abbey as a kid - and was probably bored shi, er witless. However it was a different story this time around. The Winter Garden was particularly stunning with the range of colours on show just astonishing accompanied by all the different aromas.
The water mill was open but sadly not in action - not that much of a disappointment as we’d seen the one in action near Welwyn.
We loved the house too. Laid out as it would have been in 1964 when owner Lord Fairhaven would be getting ready for Christmas and for one of his regular shooting parties. The video is HERE
I must apologise for the photo’s - some numpty who shall remain nameless - okay then, me - failed to retrieve the memory card for the camera from the laptop before we left, so everything from today is with cheap and cheerful Galaxy cut downs. Talking of phones, I’m now back up and running with a replacement. I got one delivered to site and picked up a SIM when in town. I’m now back with ‘3’ since BT Mobile found it beyond them to put one in the post to me.
Another first on Friday was the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens, sandwiched between Hills Road & Trumpington Road. Astonishingly in all the years we lived in Cambridgeshire, neither of us had been.
We spent a couple of hours here easily but keener horticulturalists would have no trouble in making a day of it. Well worth a visit but understandably lacking a little colour given the time of year. Video to follow.
Friday night was in a pub - quelle surprise - with our old pals from Histon & Impington - where I grew up and where Trev & I met. It was a great, slightly drunken night but I’m glad to report that the phone made it back to the ‘van intact.
And lastly - Saturday saw a rather sluggish meander around Ely before catching up with more friends for a restorative cuppa and mince pies.
Okay, you’re up to date. More or less. Today - Christmas Eve, we have three things planned - a couple of bits and bobs from the shop and a visit to Teversham to lay a wreath and say hello to Mum. A pub lunch will follow then that will be us until Boxing Day when we’ve been invited out for lunch.
So, as always, thanks for reading and I hope you all have a great Christmas.
Cheers & Beers from Rich & Trev.