Cambridge

June 16th set off for Cambridge in the morning. Arrived at Premier inn just on the outskirts of the town. Although it looked in the middle of a new housing estate, which it was, but ideally located to a Bus stop straight into town. - Love my Bus Pass! 

We went into town for a wander and evening meal, after watching the football in the hotel bar. England scored in the last few mins.  Found a nice pub in town and had our evening meal.

Friday 17th decided to have breakie in town,lovely French cafe for a Danish and coffee. Onto the Tourist info centre.

Punting on the Cam in the morning, lucky with the tickets, brought a bargain from a nice lady who had a voucher!

 

After punting, went for Lunch at The Eagle one the oldest Pubs and supported by many airman in the 2nd World War who would keep tally of flying conquests burnt in the rafters.

After lunch had a wander and afternoon tea before going to  The Cambridge Graduate Orchestre in the Concert Hall. This was just fantastic. Playing Mussorgsky, Stravinsky and Brahms ,conducted by a brilliant young conductor Alan Bowman and a Piano soloist Emiko Edwards.

Something I had never experienced and truly wonderful. Bit of FUN getting back to hotel,just missed bus (another story) got a Taxi! 

Sat 18th had a walking tour booked for 11am so again went into town for breaki. The tour was great our guide was very knowledgable and funny. We saw and learnt so much about this wonderful old town. Kings was possibly the highlight,although there was work being done on the organ.

We had booked a table for lunch at Jamie Oliver's Italian so busy busy!

The meal was lovely and the waiters made it a great experience.

Decided to walk our lunch off, so went along The Cam, many narrowboats moored up just outside the centre. Did go back to Kings for another visit, it's just so breath taking. Another tea stop before going to the ADC Theatre to see The Footlights International Tour. . Made us laugh but a little silly.

Sunday 19th went to The Imperial War Museum at Duxford. Had breakie at the hotel as out all day. The weather was just perfect and the display of aircraft was wast. Went on The Concord and dressed up in Americam gear - look like something out of Dads Army!. 

Went back to Cambridge for dinner, then onto St Johns College Chapel where we listened to Stanford Chamber Chorale. A touring  Chorale Ensemble  from Pennsylvania. A very emotional  performance the setting was just perfect. A wonderful end to a wonderful  four days. Thanks again Eddie for your company.

Back to normal on Monday. It was pouring with rain, I'd left my car window open, so wet bum to drive back home. 

The alternator on my boat had burnt out so engineer coming Tuesday to fix it. RCR had ordered the wrong size so back on Friday to sort out. All done. Ready now to take boat out.

The girls are enjoying feeding my regular visitors to the boat!

Got my walking boots out this week and did a fab walk in The Peaks.  Also went to see Othello at Stafford Castle. So lucky with the weather it was perfect even had a full moon. Off to Trentham tonight to see Queen Tribute Band, let's hope we have good weather again.

Festivals and Carnavals

Mid May a quieter week, having Connie on Mondays is always fun. I'm encouraging her to be a keen gardener by popping her on top of my boat,watering! Bowling and gardening for me, and an unexpected wonderful concert at Sandown Hall. 

Molly also helping planting and watering all new bedding plants!

Friday 20th an early start to go down to Worthing to my lovely friend, Dizzy, 60 th birthday bash at The Fox. Lunch on the seafront with her family, fab evening. Met friends I hadn't seen in years, how do we get this old!

Then over to Eastbourne to see lovely daughter, Faye, and the family for the weekend. Good walk on the Cuckoo trail then a meal out. Spent Sunday in their garden having fun and helping sort out boarders. Helped out on Monday with the school run. Chayse is a delieght and I love spending time with her. 

Spent Monday with my sister Hilary catching up with gossip. Then stayed at Eddies for the rest of the week. Again gardening and sitting around in his lovely garden. Not sure who did all the work! See front for coffee as weather was glorious. Topping up the tan!

 

 Went over to see Dianne (another sister) on Thursday. Mum and Dad for a meal on Friday. Saturday meet up with all my old friends from Guild care and went to North Star dancing the night away to Big Yellow Taxi. A great day Sunday we went to Sheffield Park then onto Crowbrough to The Wheatsheaf 's beer festival. Meeting up with my brother and family was great too. So bands, beer, brother and boyfriend  (Molly's words) where excellent. Bit hungover Monday meet up with Gill and Brian for coffee. Home for a rest, but did pop over to see Kay as not seen her for a while. Always so much fun meeting up with friends.

So back on boat for June. My first Festival at Uttoxeter Race Course 3/4 and 5th what a fab weekend. Kate and the girls came on Friday,we where all glittered out with wings and wands! Saturday just Kate and I went, I brought the compulsory festival hat! And we danced the night away, headliners - The Blockheads. Sunday went back with the girls beautiful hot day idilic to listen to Beautiful South. Girls just Loved T Rex tribute band. So all in all an exhausting weekend but so enjoyable.

This week I've been to an Induction Eve to become a Volunteer Front of House for Staffords Gatehouse Theatre. Think it's something I will really enjoy so had my interview on Saturday and have been invited to join The Team. Yeah

Saturday also saw Molly become a Princess to the Queen in Stones Festival. And Connie was Tinkerbell on the Peter Pan Float. Both won 2nd prize in their catorgies. Lovely afternoon and the rain stayed well away until 6pm when it fell down.

Looking forward, this week, to visits from friends, Ken and Andrea, Gill and Brian then off to Cambridge for a few days. Why Cambridge? Because I've never been!