Cambridge, 21 and 22 June

Tuesday 21st was a full on driving day - about 400 miles down the M6, A14 and various other motorways from Stirling to Cambridge. A pretty forgettable drive really, on roads that were efficient but dull. At Birmingham we discovered that there is now an M6 toll road that bypasses the city for a 3.50 toll. We were too mean to pay the toll so chanced a journey on the old M6 free road through the city. This road can get terribly congested but we were lucky with very few delays.

The big thrill once we reached Cambridge was of course catching up with Hamish and Ele who we hadn't seen for 9 months or so. Great to see them! We were treated to home coooked dinner plus (making the most of the warm, dry evening) a personal guided walking tour of the old city.

The court at Gonville and Caius College. Lawn showing evidence of wear and tear from the Ball. 

In the senior common room at G&C.

Did some more nosing around the old colleges on Wednesday. The town is packed with graduating students and proud hangers on. Due to graduation quite a few of the colleges are temporarily closed to visitors. We looked mostly at Gonville & Caius and Queens, and hope to see some others later in the week. We lunched in hall today. Hearty servings of institutional grub at very keen prices - ideal for impoverished students. Roast duck, mash and corn for us today.

Lunch in hall. That's us on the left at the plain table. The setting was for a formal dinner that night.

The Old Court at Queens.

After lunch we went punting on the Cam. We hired a self drive punt as Hamish was a master punter. I had a go too - seems it must be a learned skill, not an heriditary one.

Hamish, puntmaster.

The puntmater's apprentice having a go.

Lets everybody go punting!