the paula/jeff/paul visit: cambridge edition

We had an AWESOME time with my parents Paula and Jeff and my youngest brother Paul when they spent 8(ish) days with us at the beginning of January! They certainly quenched my homesickness (and made it worse when they left) and made our English winter warmer! We did so much that it's hard to know where to begin telling about it. I think I will use less words and more images (since they're worth thousands, of course).

Here are some of the highlights of our time in Cambridge:




- We wasted no time ringing in the New Year English-style by going to a pub the first night and having a pint with fish and chips! My mom loved them so much she ordered them at nearly every meal thereafter and regretted it whenever she did not.




- Mom's favorite Cambridge event was punting on the River Cam! We had a tour guide named Leaf who imparted on us much Cambridge wisdom as we floated along. They wouldn't let us take our own punt out because of liability issues with the COLD water. Here we are in front of the Bridge of Sighs at St. John's College.



- We explored around Cambridge visiting many of the historic colleges, churches and sites:


- Mom and Dad at Trinity College in front of a Sir Isaac Newton's dorm window and a descendant of his apple tree.




- On the Bridge of Sighs at St. John's College.





- We visited King's College Chapel, where even my Dad and Paul felt short. Why it's called a "chapel" I do not understand.




- Actually even at 6' 5" my dad felt short quite often over here.




- Paul made friends with a grey swan and named him Peter, Peter Swanson (hehe ya know because he's a swan?!) not remembering that Peter Swanson is the name of one of the few friends who live here with us in Cambridge. :)





- After passing the exquisite men's clothing store, Ede and Ravenscroft, many times and seeing a dapper jacket in the window, my dad decided to try it on. After about 3 minutes, and because it was on sale, he decided to buy it! Owning a jacket from one of the oldest shops (London's oldest tailor and robe maker, est. 1689) and robe maker to the Queen was really the perfect Dad-souvenir! Now isn't that a smart jacket?




- Paul attempted to get back to our Scottish "Fordice" roots by becoming the owner of a kilt and bagpipes. They didn't have the Fordyce tartan in Cambridge, however, and we could only locate one set of of bagpipes which were rather obnoxious looking, even for Paul. We decided he will just have to come back and we will trek to Scotland to fulfill his dream in the homeland. We might as well buy the Fordyce Castle while we're at it, it's a real steal at £800,000, and well worth it as I just discovered that the castle comes with a barony title, entitling the owner to call himself the Baron of Fordyce! (photo: flickr)




- We practiced our bravery by trying BLOOD PUDDING! I promised myself I would try all the food once, and this has been looming. My dad was the brave soul who ordered it. We all partook in unison and no one went back for seconds. The flavor wasn't as disgusting as I thought it would be but just knowing that it was a curdled blood cake made it almost impossible to swallow. (My mom observed the insanity at a safe distance).




- We split up for guys/girls fun day. My mom and I went shopping, out for pastys, and to 4 o'clock tea, Brandon studied (really, he does think that is fun but he also had to), and my Dad and Paul hopped a bus to Duxford to visit the Imperial War Museum (the largest collection of historic aircraft in Europe).

- While we were at the market my mom had to stop walking suddenly to avoid kicking a pigeon. I found it quite humorous.

- We attended Sunday High Mass at our church Little St. Mary's, one of the oldest churches in Cambridge and chapel to the first college Peterhouse. Everyone loved the liturgy, bells and whistles.

- We got to have our own little FAMILY Christmas celebration, the perfect way to finish off the holiday season.

- My Mom and Dad brought over TONS of AMERICAN goodies for us from Brandon's mom, Caryn, and from them. It is wonderful to have some of the treats we missed like mac 'n cheese, cornbread, oreos, sour patch kids, CHOCOLATE CHIPS and RANCH DRESSING! THANK YOU!!! It may or may not almost be gone already.

Is there a limit to how long posts can be? If there is I must be nearing it, so I will end this Cambridge edition and start preparing a post about our adventures in London! Don't worry that one should be shorter, but no promises.