How I love Cambridge.

 I have been there twice now since coming to the UK this year.  The first time was on Mother’s Day weekend (3^rd April in the UK). A day or 2 before, Pete asked me what I wanted to do for Mother’s Day.  Hmmm.   A little time on my own sounded perfect actually and I had an old friend whom I really wanted to visit so when Pete suggested getting away overnight somewhere then, it was Clare I visited. 

Clare lives on a houseboat on the Cambridge River with her beau, Neil and their dog, Paco.

We went on a massive 5 mile walk then retired to the deck and drank wine, wine, wine, punctuated with lots of chatting.  Took myself home the next day to be happily greeted by my 3 boys and was treated to a relaxing day.

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The 2^nd time in Cambridge was 2 weekends ago.  Kind of losing track of dates as time is being sucked down a vortex called ‘constant holiday mode’, but it was 2 weeks ago, I know that much.  We were put up by Rob and Annalise and their 2 kids Ina and Alexia.  It was warm & welcoming from the start and even though their kids were several years older than ours, they still got on famously, as you can see in the photo below.  And the 'warm' kept getting warmer later on with a kick-arse chilli-con-carne to gobble up for dinner and 3 or 5 bottles of wine to see us through the night! 

*Pete here. I guess now would be a good time to reitirate why we're over here in the first place - to reconnect with friends and family, especially at an age when our boys can really appreciate it. Rob and Annalise are a good case in point as I haven't seen them for more than 17 years. I used to be in the Royal Air Force with Rob based in a place near Doncaster, North Yorkshire and I remember badgering Rob about putting his application in to get himself to Cyprus because I had such an awesome time there.  Eventually - I know, can you believe it? He took months to persuade - .... he caved.
A year after he got posted there, I went over on holiday - 1993-  and he wasn't just dating this beautiful woman from Finland, he was bloody well living with her! In sin!! Shameful!!  After bringing up the fact that I just wouldn't stop until he put in his application, Annalise burst out "So, it was YOU I have to blame for being here!"
She did laugh after though...honest!

Over and out. Pete*

The weather was really kind and so we spent the next day enjoying the expanses of parkland including a rope swing that was like our own little Secret Garden treasure, wandering Cambridge checking out some amazing architecture, Pete discovering the delights of shopping in a Superdry store (new boots and jacket!) and devouring Italian pizza in the marketplace.  You can't help bus soak up the character & the history.  The boys scooted everywhere as usual.  Scooting has almost replaced walking as a gross motor skill necessary for survival, but at least we don't have to drag the boys along! 

Another wonderful weekend.