UK September 2015 (Cambridge)

We landed in Heathrow on Thursday 17 September and took the express to Paddington, then taxi through London's heavily trafficked streets to our beloved Penn Club, the Quaker hostel where we frequently stayed in the 1980s.We remember fondly our good friend Martin Vincent who was Warden then. Not much has changed; however, they do lock the front door these days.

After a nap, we headed over to a favorite pub, the Salisbury, and enjoyed dinner. Here is a selfie from there. We are both happy to be in London.

We headed over to the Duke of York Theatre where we saw the excellent production of "Farinelli and the King." The theatre was almost entirely lit by candles and the music, performed by Baroque instruments and opera tenors, gorgeous. Mark Rylance played the sleepless but often witty and anachronistic king of Spain who was cured by the singing of the famous Castrato, Farinelli.

Colorful collages of programs decorate the loo.

We enjoyed the delicious cooked breakfast at the Penn, traveled over to King's Cross, and, then, train to Cambridge, enjoying that familiar countryside and English newspapers!

We had rooms in the lovely New Court of St. Johns for two nights in order to attend Kevin's 50 year since Matriculation Dinner.

We enjoyed watching punters from John's Bridge of Sighs.

And a nice lunch with Johnston (Kevin's mate from his years at Cambridge)and his wife Evelyn, at The Orchard in Grantchester.


Kevin and Becky smarted up for Matriculation  dinner in New Court, built in the lovely Pre Raphaelite style in the 19th Century.


Evelyn and Johnston in their well-appointed rooms (much grander than ours)!

 Champagne was served in the beautiful old Combination Room--it has no electricity and is lit by candles in lovely silver sconces.  Kevin has never been able to take me into Johns for formal dinner but for many years, Mr. Crook, a classics don and renaissance man who lived in Johns all his life, often escorted me in as his guest. He was an extremely knowledgable and charming date and entertained me with stories of this room and Johns. I miss him.

I had an interesting and sad conversation with the Chief Wrangler of the class--his life had not met the promise of his youth and he was having difficulty getting by.

The anniversary dinner in the dining hall was luxurious and delicious and a memorable evening! The Chief Wrangler sat at the High Table.