A weekend of exploration

So, my second week begins. I spent the weekend exploring Cambridge with Hon, and it was a lot of fun. My student card worked wonders when attempting to enter colleges, as the '2.50 fee is waived for Cambridge students, and queues may also be avoided. The colleges are amazing in their scale and their intricacy, and their age is evident in every stain of lamp-oil, in the paths worn smooth by centuries of feet, and in the ancient stems of the ivy growing up the yellow limestone facades. Each college is immaculate; enormous lawns stretch out, perfectly clipped and as flat as the mirror-like Cam which bisects them. They are often surrounded by pleas to avoid walking on the turf, or noting the exclusivity of the location to Fellows or members of the college, which may contribute to their maintenance in this state.

Photos will unfortunately not yet be forthcoming, as my computer is in at the Apple store (so nice to live within walking distance of one) for repairs. I am hoping to have it with me again my Wednesday, but we shall see.

We explored not only the colleges, but also the many laneways and sidestreets of Cambridge, and walked up and down the banks of the Cam. Punters were out in force, and it was amusing to note the difference between the graceful, effortless control exhibited by the professionals, and the directionless meandering of the first time punters. Particularly chuckle-worthy was an incident in which someone had planted the pole and been unable to twist it free, and had therefore been forced to watch as their pole remained fixed in the river bottom while their punt sailed blindly forward. I unfortunately didn't have the chance to see (and photograph for posterity's sake) an upset punt or a punter left in the river after trying too hard to free their pole. This had apparently happened not long before we arrived on the Backs of John's, as there were a number of males dressed in nothing but underpants and looking rather wet. It appeared that one had fallen in and the rest had followed, deciding to swim if that were the present fashion.

We ate at a number of interesting places. The Lettuce and Slug was an interesting modern pub, serving some kind of Mexican/Italian fusion food, while The Mitre was very much a traditional pub, complete with drunkards. A group of young men, and one old man, were enjoying rather too much of the local ale, and much hilarity ensued upon their attempts to walk, talk, or drink from a glass. Also in that pub, Hon struck up a conversation with our neighbouring table, and perhaps only in Cambridge would you discover that a table of four similarly-aged, multinational people are conducting research into carbon nanotubes and molecular genetics. Their nationalities would have suggested a Contiki tour; two Turks, a Pole, and a Frenchman.

Food here, at least in restaurants, is proving a deal more exciting than expected. It seems that even staid old England is coming to realise that not everyone eats meat, and is thus beginning to provide vegetarian options. Even food in the supermarket is labelled "vegetarian" when it satisfies the criteria. Even cheeses note whether they are suitable for vegetarians or not (whether their rennent is made from processed calf). I had a delicious baked potato with garlic mushrooms at "Tatties", a potato specialist restaurant.

I'll post this now and write more later. I'm getting frustrated with how long it's taking the bank to send me my pin, as well as the fact that my computer is not back yet!