The cold that had been brewing eventually came to fruition, and I took two days off work
Margaret and David for lunch
On Sunday we visited Margaret and David for lunch, and the annual Christmas present exchange. It was a very nice lunch of roast wild duck and oodles of cheese.
Managed to trap Oliver the cat, and was able to tickle him under the chin. After he escaped, he remained very aloof and never entered the house again.
Jimi Hendrix
With Rosemary away for the week visiting an old school friend in Devon, I decided to have a day off and visit London. I chose the worst possible day. The day before and the day after were beautiful sunny days. The Thursday was the wettest and most miserable day of the month.
I caught the train down into London, to visit the Jimi Hendrix exhibition at the Marquee Club in Leicester Square. The collection is estimated to be worth around $15 million and features thousands of unseen photos, promotional materials, recordings, videos, clothing, guitars and more. Much of the exhibition was up for sale by auction.
Afterwards I visited China town for a meal, and had duck with a gloop sauce. It was disgusting. Must read the menu more carefully next time.
Fred Giacoma
Travelled down to London to meet up with Fred Giacoma and family, and Christine Buckley. Met them at the Tower of London, had a tour around the tower, saw the Crown Jewels, and the armoury. Afterwards had a drink and some food in the nearby Weatherstones. Rather embarrassing being guided around an iconic London tourist site by an American.
Guernsey
Went for our usual week to the Grande Mare hotel on Guernsey. Again we chose to use the bus for transport around the island.
Some good meals in the hotel and at the Auberge.
Some strong winds and rough seas, but not as bad as those on the South coast of England.
The health spa was open for us at no charge this year. Think its on our maintenance bill though.
Norwich and Welles
Nice weekend in Norwich with my Father and wife. We all visited Welles, and saw the house which Rosemary used to visit as a child.
Electricity power cuts
Power cuts at home all day. Visited the P&A for a few drinks with the regulars. Just before food was going to be served, the electricity men came in and announced the power was going off for 30 minutes.
In the end it was off for 60 minutes as they reconnected our transformer.
Wolves
This Sunday was a day for walking with Wolves and petting Wolves. First it was up early and out for brunch with Peter Worsley and Catherine Side. The brunch was excellent, with cereal, juice, fruit, potatoes and black pudding.
Now it was off the woods where we met up the rest of the Cambridge Society and the Wolves. The UK Wolf Conservation Trust looks after the wolves. They are used to educate people and dispel myths about wolves. Additionally they are used to raise money for wolf conservation in other countries.
We allowed the wolves to identify us first by smelling out hands. We then had a two plus hour walk in the woods, following the wolves. At intervals we were allowed to pet the wolves. We approached cautiously, letting them smell our hands, then went behind them and stroked their underneath. Touching their tops was not recommended, as this is a dominant action.
After the walk we moved on to the actual wolf centre at Beenham. Here we saw the rest of the wolves.
Plough and Anchor fire
Today was the fire lighting day at the Plough and Anchor. Traditionally the fire is lit on the 1st October every year. Jake lit the fire, where upon the bar and restaurant was filled with smoke. It took quite a while before the draft was sufficient to draw all the smoke up the chimney. The fire will now remain continuously alight until spring.
We had a conker knock out competition, and Jake provided us with pies and excellent pickle onions. It was a truly excellent Friday evening.
Cambridge weekend – Sunday
Sunday started off cloudy. Drove to the Botanic Garden and had a 90 minute guided tour. The area around the pond had changed since we had last visited. During the walk, the weather improved.
After the walk, we walked on down to the Cambridge Arts Picture House to see a 1938 Hitchcock film called the “Lady Vanishes” starring Michael Redgrave. The file was introduced by his son Corin. Rosemary and I had not seen the film before and very much enjoyed the humour.
Afterwards she went to Fitzwilliam to see a performance by Corin Redgrave of “De Profundis by Oscar Wilde“. I went to the Cavendish Laboratory for a presentation of the proposed changes to the Physics department, and then a tour of the Physics departments. I saw some high vacuum experiments, high energy impact work, low temperature experiments with super conductors, and an explanation of fundamental particles and an experiment where they neutrino is being weighed.
It was then on home, with a stop at St Neots for a quick meal by the River. On the drive towards Milton Keynes we saw a very spectacular sunset.