Cambridge

Pedometer: 17, 992.

We took our first day trip to Cambridge after a fun and confusing start to the trip - getting around the station confused and bewildered me at least and we actually got on the wrong train, it was too early, but thank God we did because we were in the Visitor's Center right on time once we got into the 800 year old University Center.

We got off the train, about an hour trip - very pleasant since we had our own carriage, no one else shared it with us. We arrived at 11:15 and our tour started at 11:30 perfect timing.
We began the tour 3 feet below street level on the old St. Denis church ground because that is where the original level to the city was situated. The city is just like a college town, young students everywhere disobeying all sorts of rules and regulations, such as which way to cross the street, where they can park their bikes (students are not allowed cars, so bikes are everywhere piled up on one another.) etc.
The weather turned brisk so jackets were worn and thanks to god I wore my jeans and kirsten wore long pants as well. It did remind me of my college days - the sights, sounds, smells, it was very cool.
We went to the Eagle pub for lunch which is haunted by two ghosts who make a ruckus when a window is closed, so there is a rule in the charter of the place that states that this window must remain open at all times. This pub was also a hangout for the RAF pilots in WWII because the airforce had a base close to Cambridge.
We saw King's College Chaple with all the stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings in English Lace vaults. We visited Clare college and saw how students lived in close quarters to their classrooms, their meal halls and chaples. Very much like Harry Potter.
After coming home we ate at the Hoop and Grape, delicious sausages and cheese and steak and ale pie. Not too many vegetables I might add, what is with that, mostly leeks and onions and of course potatoes.
Then we made our way to the Guildhall, which started as the Medieval place for all the guilds in London and is now part of the financial district. We walked by Lloyds of London (Brett would be proud) which looks like a giant money making factory or a casino slot machine inside out. The Guildhall is all cleaned up on the outside from pictures I've seen, I guess this city is getting ready for the Olympics - so much is covered in scaffolding and you can hear the sandblasting going on behind it.