The time change has occurred, the leaves have begun to change color, and the temperature has started to drop... fall has arrived at Cambridge. Much like Oregon, the weather has been fairly cloudy and overcast, with spots of rain here or there. Although, it seems to rain half as much as Oregon does so far, but I don't want to get ahead of myself before I get through the winter. With the time change, it now gets dark around 4:30pm, and in the dead of winter that will be as early as 3:30pm, definitely the farthest north I have lived.
Work in my research laboratory towards my MPhil degree in Biology has gone well thus far. Everyone in my lab is absolutely fantastic, they are upbeat, happy, and friendly... just like my lab at the UO was. Things at King's College have slowed down a little, but I find myself still having more King's-related events to go to a week than I have time for, which has been great. On a typical week my outside the laboratory (9-6pm) activities involve playing poker with friends, going to King's grad-drinks, going to Salsa dancing, going to Zoology grad-drinks, a movie night here or there, a few nights out at the pubs, and many, many cups of tea. Of course there are several other activities that slip in and no week has been typical, especially since I have been out of town.
On the subject of being out of town, I just spent my first weekend in nearly a month at Cambridge (see Oxford, Bath, and Madrid trips). This past weekend Katherine came to visit me for a second time at Cambridge, and when she arrived Thursday night we visited The Eagle. The Eagle is a famous pub known for being the meeting place of Watson and Crick, who discovered that DNA was the molecule of inheritance, having the eureka moment over beers at The Eagle.
On Friday Katherine and I walked to Grantchester, where a light rain kept many tourists away, but not two Oregonians! Our walk to Grantchester was down a beautiful old hedge road on the way there and along the river Cam on the way back.
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| Hedge road to Grantchester |
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| Katherine in front of the famous old Church at Grantchester |
We enjoyed a night at a very typical old-English pub, complete with a wood fire, low ceilings, and luke-cold beer. The name of the pub, The Green Man, reminded me too much of a character's name on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, so I had to take a photo.
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| Typical English pub in Grantchester |
On our walk back we ran into a beautiful swan. Swans are everywhere on the Cam, but I am told you should avoid swans when you are punting or kayaking, as they can be pretty vicious.
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| Swan on the Cam outside Grantchester. |
On Saturday Katherine and I went to the Fitzwilliam Museum at Cambridge and walked around the campus to enjoy the beautiful fall scenery.
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| Fall at Cambridge with Katherine |
On Saturday evening Katherine and I went to Bonfire night (5th of November), featuring tons of fireworks and a large fire. This is akin to 4th of July in the United States, with a great fireworks show. The 5th of November is celebrated for the stopping of Guy Fawkes and his plan to blow-up members of parliament on the 5th of November.
"Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot..."
Katherine left early Sunday morning and I relaxed and enjoyed a much needed day off from traveling or laboratory work, catching up on my U.S. news and TV shows. Until next time, best wishes to my friends and family!
