I've had an interesting couple of days recently. Thursday the Husband and I went to London for the day. We started by going to St Thomas' Hospital for my eye clinic. This time they used a new piece of equipment on my eyes which scanned the back of my eye - wonderful because they didn't have to use eye drops to dilate my pupils which make it difficult to see for the rest of the day. From the hospital we popped up to Oxford Street where we braved the crowds Christmas shopping and just generally shopping. That road is always incredibly busy with people no matter what time of year or day. We soon tired of the crowds so after some lunch we walked the few years to Manchester Square to the Wallace Collection. The Husband had never visited it, despite being born a Londoner and I hadn't visited it for at least 20 years but the magic of the place remans. It's fascinating to realise that the building, which is crammed from floor to ceiling with paintings and art treasures of all kinds, was owned by one family which was responsible for putting the collection together. The only problem was that there was so much there you just couldn't take in everything. But then the idea of such a collection is that you go back to it time and again, each time discovering something you missed before. (It's a good thing admission there is free.)
Saturday we made another visit, this time to Cambridge to visit the Stepson, and we took the Husband's sister, brother-in-law and niece. The day was a really good one. They drove up from Whitstable to our place and then we all drove up together. As the city was built before cars were invented parking there is always totally impossible so we used the park and ride which was as efficient as ever. We met up with the Stepson who showed us his room and gave us a guided tour of his College (Pembroke College) including the College chapel, which was built by Wren before he started on St Pauls Cathedral in London. Then we went to Browns, the restaurant parents always take their undergraduate offspring to, to fill; them up. The meal was really good, serving a range of English dishes including their traditional and very famous Steak, Guiness and Mushroom pie. Then we took around the university areas of Cambridge, especially King's College and Trinity Colleges.
After we had said our goodbyes to the Stepson we returned to our home and we had a scratch meal together (fortunately I had made a pot of soup the day before so there was plenty for us all to eat). Then after a good chat John's sister and her family set off back to Whitstable.
5 comments:
Good grief, Val--that sounds like a 4-day weekend that you spent, rather than one day. What a lot you squeezed in. The college lawns are green and lush, and they have a Wren chapel? Wow! Wichita State University is blessed with a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building; but, a Wren?!!!!
Cop Car
Oh yes. The College's website (http://www.pem.cam.ac.uk/about/) says that the college was founded after its license was awarded in 1347, so it's not the oldest college in Cambridge. Its Chapel wasn't built until the 17th Century and was the first work of Sir Christopher Wren (if you follow the links you can find a good description of the history of the College from the time it was first founded, through the Reformation and up to today).
If you take the "virtual tour" of the college, following the links and look at the picture at http://www.pem.cam.ac.uk/virtual/old_court/hall.html then the Stepson's "set" is one of the windows on the very top floor under the eves (he gets a set of two rooms because his was awarded a First in his second year exams and so is classified as a Scholar and eligible for slightly larger accommodation). It's quite a climb up steep steps worn by feet through the years.
Your Stepson must be a scholar. Good for him! I can imagine that the steps are steep and not too wide. I'll have to take a look, some night when I cannot sleep. During the day, dial-up downloading is much too slow to go on virtual tours. Thank you.
Cop Car
You are justifiably proud of your step-son's achievements. Given the very limited space, and the large number of people competing for that space, he's is a very rarified group. I'd say the extra space, and the designation "Scholar," make all those stairs worthwhile! *G*
Buffy
Buffy,
Yes we are very proud of him. And we are proud of his sister who is studying for very difficult professional examinations while holding down a full-time job.
He has no problems with those stairs at all. He doesn't think of them at all. I'm just glad I don't have to navigate them on a regular basis (grin).
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