Journal Entries
School reunion
Posted May 6, 2012
Yesterday I entertained seven of my former classmates for an afternoon in Cambridge. There were originally going to be 10 of us, but two cried off due to busy schedules and one was ill. We have been meeting periodically since a few of the group organised a very successful reunion for 30 years after we left school (55 of us mustered on that occasion). Then the school itself had an event for the 40th anniversary, much less well-organised and consequently fewer attended. We all hit 60 last year, so now that a few people have retired, they have more time for this sort of thing.
We met at Pizza Express in Jesus Lane (a former Roman Baths, then the Pitt Club - a drinking establishment for young gentlement of the University, now converted into PE, but still a pretty nice historic setting). After stuffing ourselves with pizza, pasta, garlic bread, chocolate cake, and not a little wine, we thought we'd better walk it off.
I took them round the 'historic centre' of town, past St John's, Trinity, King's, Corpus Christi, St Catharine's, then over Silver Street bridge to Queens', Darwin and Newnham. I showed them the gardens and some of the interior of Newnham, and we glimpsed Mary Beard (who hastily rushed in the direction of her office when she saw us!). Then we headed back up the Backs and over Trinity bridge. We took photos in front of Newton's rooms at Trinity, and finished off the afternoon with cups of tea/coffee at Patisserie Valerie. I think they all enjoyed it.
Discuss this Journal entry [1]
Latest reply: May 6, 2012
Holiday coming up - must get organised!
Posted May 2, 2012
I am off to Italy in about 10 days, and it has suddenly occurred to me that I am not at all organised for this trip. Have now made a list, and started to do some of the tasks - printed boarding card this evening, but as the black ink cartridge on my printer has died, will have to do it again at work tomorrow. 
Another item on the list is to download Mary Beard's Pompeii book to my iPad. I'm going to Sorrento, and hoping to do a day trip to Pompeii, so should really do a bit of preparatory reading, even if it's only on the plane on the way.
I see that Samantha Brick is now adding her twopennorth to the Mary vs AA Gill spat. Mary was keeping aloof earlier today. I have enjoyed the Rome programmes very much, and think Gill should keep his objectionable views on her appearance to himself. Deborah Ross did a nice spoof in the Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/deborah-ross-that-jeremy-clarkson-only-gets-on-tv-because-of-his-looks-7679086.html
Discuss this Journal entry [1]
Latest reply: May 2, 2012
Fed up with rain
Posted Apr 27, 2012
At least I didn't get wet on the way to work this morning (nice change), but got absolutely drenched on the way home. 
Now trying to dry out my waterproofs and shoes before tomorrow, as we have an Open Day for prospective Maths applicants, so I will need to be up at the normal going-to-work time. It's now raining again, after a brief respite, so have opened a bottle of wine at home, instead of going to the local, as originally planned.
Think I might be starting a cold, which would be very annoying. Will stay at home in the warm this evening, with soup, toast, wine and Lemsip. And some non-taxing telly.
Discuss this Journal entry [1]
Latest reply: Apr 27, 2012
Cambridge Wordfest and Meet the Romans
Posted Apr 17, 2012
Spent most of last weekend at Cambridge Wordfest, our local literary festival. Great fun, but usually results in spending more £££ than I intended, either on books or on food and drink!
Went to talks by/conversations with: Iain Banks, Ian Rankin, Alain de Botton, William Boyd, Julian Clary, Grace Dent. Also 'City Picks' - readings from an anthology of works set in/about Cambridge, and a session about Irene Nemirovsky, with Angela Kershaw, who has written about her, and Sandra Smith, IN's translator.
On Sunday evening, I had got a team together for the literary quiz. Really good fun, and we didn't do too badly - joint 4th out of 11 teams.
Discuss this Journal entry [2]
Latest reply: Apr 17, 2012
Seaside and birdies
Posted Apr 11, 2012
Had a little trip to the North Norfolk coast on Monday and Tuesday; very glad I hadn't booked Sunday/Monday, as the weather on both those days was rubbish, whereas Tuesday was sunny, if chilly.
Monday: arrived Hunstanton ('sunny Hunny') in grey drizzle around lunchtime. Had lunch at 'family' pub on seafront, surrounded by restless children and dogs, then mooched around town, having cups of tea in various places and reading my book. As this was Irvine Welsh (for book group), it didn't put me in a better mood.
Checked in at B&B, which is lovely - will definitely go there again. Home made bread (choice of lots of different kinds) and preserves at breakfast!
Evening meal at the only proper restaurant in town - a bit overpriced, but pleasant food and atmosphere.
Tuesday: got Coasthopper bus to Titchwell RSPB reserve. Walked out to the beach, then back to the new hide. Spent a while there with a very helpful volunteer, who pointed out ruffs (wading birds, new to me), avocets, oystercatchers, black-tailed godwits, shoveler ducks, and ... fanfare ... marsh harriers! They were doing courting displays - fantastic.
After a couple of hours, back on the bus and on to Wells-next-the-Sea. Lunch in the deli, then walked along the causeway to the beach - about a mile - and back.
Back to Hunstanton, picked up bag from B&B and got the bus and train home. It's so nice to be within easy reach of the seaside and I really felt better after my little trip away.
Discuss this Journal entry [1]
Latest reply: Apr 11, 2012
annie_cambridge
Researcher U1483753
Write an Entry
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a wholly remarkable book. It has been compiled and recompiled many times and under many different editorships. It contains contributions from countless numbers of travellers and researchers."