Conference Dinner.....

After busing back to campus (from the Imperial War  Museum) we  put on  our nicest clothes which weren't all that fancy and set off for the famous Trinity College for the conference dinner. The place was unbelievably beautiful and we were even able to break the rules and step on the grass because we were guests of a "fellow" from Trinity. I forgot to mention it before but Cambridge it famous for it's rules about not walking on the grass. There are signs everywhere to make sure that you don't get any ideas and set foot on the green stuff.

So this was a fun aside and we were encouraged to walk on the grass and take photos while enjoying pre dinner drinks and appetizers.

Then we were escorted into the main hall which confirmed to me that we were indeed having dinner at Hogwarts (Harry Potter's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry). The table was elaborately laid with enough glasses and cutlery to confuse the most consummate dinner guest. :) As we waited for the courses to begin we took in the unbelievable interior architecture, elaborate stained glass and paintings of people like Sir Isaac Newton.

We started with light white wine to accompany a selection of smoked fish. Delish! This was followed by the main course of Beef Wellington (how apropos!) with steamed new potatoes, sauteed garlic green beans and boiled baby carrots with the requisite heavy red wine. This was followed by creme brulee served with raspberries and dessert wine. From across the table we watched as a  server managed to drop some dessert into  another  guest's lap and couldn't help but giggle. Then,  as  karma  would have it, my  server slopped a good sized blob onto my Desigual skirt! It has intricate embroidery all over it so it's challenging to clean.  Needless to say I wasn't happy but I'll just have to hand wash it. On a brighter note the  dessert was delicious! Lastly, we finished with a cheese selection from the Cambridge Cheese Company served with  French bread, biscuits (cookies) and grapes. This last course was accompanied by that was served with port special to Trinity College! I was  beyond stuffed by the end but as you can imagine it was all so good!  Between several of the courses there were interludes where a group of Trinity students would sing, opera style, from one of the balconies. Incredibly beautiful!

Imperial War Museum.....

Yesterday Tim gave his talk and did an amazing job!! And it wasn't only me that thought so - since then there have been no end of people coming up to him to compliment him on his talk and ask questions or want to discuss ideas for additional research. That's my hubby!!

After the morning session we boarded a  bus and set off for the Imperial War Museum which was one of the tours they offered for conference attendees. We started off with a short tour given by a gentleman who was a total character - he gave us the information, sure, but he kept us laughing with his dry wit. Following the tour we had the rest of the afternoon to explore the place. It was amazing and reminded us very much of the Canadian War Plane Heritage Museum that we visited a few years back when visiting Tim's  family in Hamilton, Ontario.

Punting and The Backs.....

Later that day (from the previous post) I was consulting my list of 'things to do in Cambridge' and I really wanted to continue exploring but let's face it my feet were killing me. Two items on the list were to visit The Backs which are the grounds of several campuses that you can walk through near the River Cam and to go "punting". So punting is classically Cambridge where you steer yourself with a long pole while standing on the back of the punt. They will let you try this if you want  or you can let someone else, with punting experience, taking the reins and do the driving. There were several places offering 'punting tours' on the River Cam through The Backs to I figured it would be a perfect way to experience punting, see The Backs and spare my feet for a little while.

I set off, found the group running the tours, bought my ticket and waited a few minutes to board a punt and set off down the River Cam. After ten of us clambered ungracefully into the boat we were situated and ready to start the tour. As soon as we were in the thick of it with other punts on all sides we came along a punt selling drinks because you should have a beverage when someone else is steering you down the River Cam. My first thought was, "Why not?". So I ordered a Pim's cup. Pim's is a traditional English cocktail mix that you find absolutely everywhere here. Pim's is a fruit liqueur that you mix with Sprite and top with pieces of strawberries, lemons, limes, oranges and  cucumbers. Needless to say it's a refreshing bevy to offset the warm weather. After intercepting my drink and pocketing my change we started our tour. I had had a few sips when, out of nowhere, a non experienced punter, crashed his punt into ours. Since this happened behind me I wasn't prepared and soon found half of my Pim's cup sloshed onto my t-shirt. Awesome. I was annoyed but found myself laughing instead of fuming. I mean I was punting down the River Cam on a beautiful day drinking (well trying to) a Pim's cup - you can't really complain about that!

The tour was interesting and wouldn't you know it - we  sailed right underneath the Bridge of Sighs that I had trekked so far to see earlier in the day. :) Again I had to laugh. I will reiterate that the trek was totally worth it to see the grounds of St. John's in all their glory.

Exploring.....

The conference ran with sessions in the mornings and afternoons with a lunch break and of course the requisite tea breaks that people cannot  live without. I don't understand it but these people love their tea! So while Tim was listening to and participating in the talks I spent my days wandering around taking photos. But I have to say that I had a rough start to this portion of our journey. As you know we walk everywhere in Wellington because things are relatively close and we don't have a car. So what  do you know? I had to come to Cambridge to get the worst blisters of my life! I'll spare you the details but they were awful and I spent the first couple days not venturing out too far for the pain that radiated through my feet with every step. Something happened when we  walked from the bus to our accommodation and that had me incapacitated for a couple days. More than anything this was frustrating because all I wanted to do was walk around!! With this in mind I did spend some time in town (when I should've been resting) because I just had to get out there and explore Cambridge! Thankfully, I was  able to rest enough and my feet started to heal up. I had figured that I would invest in some new Pumas when we're in London but this has become a  'must do' so I can survive the remainder of the trip. :)

Walking around Cambridge was like nothing I've ever experience before. The buildings are incredibly beautiful and as you would expect, old. Throughout the city you can wander down meandering streets that follow no discernible pattern. The colleges, of which there are many, are spread throughout the area and it can be challenging to see where one ends and the next begins. Even after a few days of walking on the same streets I find it difficult to identify the buildings that I encounter. With that in mind I won't have labels for every photo because I actually don't know which building is part of which college!

One afternoon when I thought my feet might be able to amble into town I decided to go for it. I took some pictures along the way. After making a pit stop at  Starbucks - I know I'm a fiend for their chai tea, it never gets old - I looked at my list of 'things to do in Cambridge' and remembered that I had wanted to go find what is called the Bridge of Sighs. So I set out thankful for a recently purchased UK sim card for my phone I could use the navigation to get me there. It's good that I had it because otherwise I would've never found it! After a long walk outside the city center I came  upon huge imposing gates that were closed. But the GPS said I should turn left so I tried the gate and finding it open stepped onto what I later realized was St. John's College. The path, big enough to accommodate two cars driving abreast (but made for walking), leading to the grounds was lined with manicured hedges that contained little side paths to take it you were so inclined. At this point I figured I was in the wrong place and didn't realize that after I walked a bit more that I would step away from the tree-canopy covered path and see St. John's. What followed was me traipsing along, mouth agape, trying to take in the beautiful buildings. Looking back I've spent most of my time wandering in Cambridge with my mouth hanging open because there is no end to beautiful buildings.

Walking on the St. John's grounds I was making my way past the main buildings and my phone was saying that I getting awfully close to the Bridge of Sighs. Around a  corner it said I "had arrived at my destination" and to be honest I was little disappointed. Before me was a small, nondescript bridge. What? I consulted my phone and sure enough I was in the right place. Feeling a little disconcerted I wandered around and looking down the River Cam and then I saw it. The bridge I was standing on wasn't what I was after but rather the perfect place  to take in the Bridge of Sighs in all its intricate beauty. In the end the very long walk on tender feet was worth it as I discovered the grounds of St. John's and saw the Bridge of Sighs.