Cambridge

Fortuitously there was a bus stop right outside the rental office which travelled directly to the railway station where we wanted to leave our luggage in the storage facility until our train departed at 4.30 in the afternoon. So off we went.

Arrived at the railway station only to discover that there was significant rebuilding works going on and the luggage storage facility had been moved into the town. Bugger!!!

Back into the town where a very helpful council worker walked us to the storage place and we finally managed to abandon our suitcases for

the afternoon.

After a cheese and pickle sandwich which had Johnny in raptures we strode off for a walk around the colleges. Had to pace ourselves because our 4.30 train wouldn't wait for us so it was a bit of whirlwind race around the immediate inner town.

Bicycles everywhere by the hundred. Chained up all over the place. We passed a gate that had a sign on it asking cyclists not to anchor their bikes to it because it was constant use. Reminded me of the way the folks in Ireland parked their cars. Cousin John kept saying that they would park on your head if they could. A bit like that in Cambridge with the bikes.

Wandered passed a shop door and glimpsed inside to see a display of

cups and saucers glued to the wall. Looked fabulous.

My favourite sites were Corpus Christi College and the "Grasshopper Clock".

This fabulously clock on the corner of Corpus' Taylor Library was unveiled in September 2008 by Stephen Hawking. The extraordinary feat of new technology now stands proudly facing onto King's Parade; its shining, 24-carat gold dial and gruesome time-keeper, and tells the time with absolute exactness and breathtaking unpredictability.

Corpus Christi College is notable as the only college founded by Cambridge townspeople. It was established in 1352 making it the sixth-oldest college in Cambridge. With around 500 students and fellows, it is also the second smallest of the traditional colleges of the University. The entrance to the college is stunning.

Collected our luggage and made our way back to the railway station. Anxious to allow ourselves plenty of time so as not to miss our train to London, we had to sit around the station for about 45 minutes in the drizzle.

Fast ride down to London and then the fun began (not)!!!

Pulled into Liverpool Street Station and transferred to the Underground to take us to Tottenham Court Road, the closest station to our hotel. A voice over the loud speaker advised us that Tottenham Court Road station is closed due to building works. Had to go one stop further to Oxford Circus. Our arrived coincided with the afternoon rush and we were being swept along in the heaving mass. Struggling with our luggage wiped the happy expression off our faces. Several people were exceptionally kind in offering to help when we encountered stairs rather than escalators. I don't remember the stairs!

Eventually emerged out into the rain in Oxford Street with quite a trek ahead of us to the hotel. Finding it difficult by then to keep Johnny's spirits up. Flopped into our room completely exhausted and soggy. Got out of our damp clothes and lay on the beds until our tummies began to remind us that it had been a little while since a decent meal. Thank goodness I had insisted that Johnny bought himself another one of those amazing cheese and pickle sandwiches to keep him going on the train.

Out into the night to find a bite to eat and finally back to bed.

Sidney Sussex College below.

Boudica, Queen of the Iceni tribe who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire.

This statue was my favourite statue in all of London in the 70's. Seeing it again 40 odd years later I still felt the same sense of awe.

Stone dog at the Art & Antique Fair in Berkeley Square,

Liberty ,

Eros in Piccadilly Circus, and

the lovely Maggie and Nigel.