Work day lunch - February 18

I am working at my readers desk in the SPRI  archives from 9.30 in the morning to 5 at night with an hour for lunch between one and two. Lucky its only a five minute walk to Regent Street and a whole range of eating places.

I started off Monday having Chinese followed by Turkish on Tuesday. On Wednesday I wasn't that hungry so just went for a walk and grabbed a takeaway sandwich. To day I had Italian., Spaghetti Bolegnaise and risked having a glass of red wine. Something I been avoiding as I didn't want to go to sleep at my readers desk in the afternoon. But good news I stayed awake all afternoon and better still I didn't spill anything down my from while eating the spaghetti

To day I was going through one of Priestley's field note books and found his sketch map of the Boomerang Glacier climb. I compared it to my plot of the route using Google Earth and was please to see they were the same including the final two peak they climbed. Although I had picked out the peaks I  only marked the area of the climb with a circle as I had no direct proof. But there in his sketch were the two peaks and the third that still obscured his view and they were the same as mine.

Tomorrow I may should have some photos to include.

Footpaths - February 17

I am sure you don't want to hear about sledging, hoosh, and digging ice caves back in 1912 so I talk about footpaths. The footpaths I mostly used in London where wide and in good repair while the ones here in Cambridge are narrow uneven and slope every which way. However they both a a similar problem--people.

The first question I had was which side of the footpath do you walk on?  In London I thought I had worked it out--every block just change sides. That was OK but where do you start? Forget that it was the least of worries.

Cell phones. It is bad enough someone coming up behind you and appearing to talk to you and in a loud voice too. Funny how people using mobile phones seem to think they need to shout. And while on about people talking on cell phones isn't frustrating when some near you is talking loud and all you hear is one half of the conversation. Talking a frustrating, on the way to Cambridge the bus stopped on the main street in Hamstead and there was a big tall chap talking on his phone. He might have been Italian because he was using his arms as much as his mouth or a least one of his arms as the other was holding the phone to his ear. That must have been frustrating for him and curtailed half his conversation. It was worse for the pedestrians. The road was busy and the passerby had to duck or swerve to mist his expressive arm. It wasn't so bad when he was facing out to the road and his arm was swinging downstream but he kept turning at right angle to the flow and the people had to duck. At one point it lloked like he was going to get on the bus, but he didn't. Although I thinks a worse problem are people texting. They seem oblivious to everyone in front of them. Step out of their way at your peril.

The other danger in London were women with push chairs. Normally no problem but beware as you just finish cross a road controlled by lights. Out of nowhere you can be confronted with a speeding pushchair in the control of someone trying beat the red light. Again step out of their way.

Which side to walk on in Cambridge is a little academic because the footpaths are so narrow you could say there is only one side. The footpath surfaces are so uneven it is hard to keep your balance and with he roads also extremely narrow the cars and buses drive with one wheel in the gutter. There is only one side to walk on and that is the side furthest from the gutter.

That is my two pennies worth and just add that yesterday it was minus two degrees and had been raining so irregularities the footpath to SPRI were as smooth as ice.

First day at SPRI - February 15

Today my holiday was put on hold and my work started. The point of coming to England was to go to the archives at the Scott Polar Research Institute. I need  to study the dairies of Scott's Northern Party for the period of there sledging at Evans Coves Antarctic--January to March 1912. This is my third visit to the archives trying to put together the details of the six week summer sledging trip that ended in the six members of the Northern Party being abandoned and surviving an antarctic winter in a snow cave.

The second visit in 2011 provided me with a lot of the information I needed but I still need to to come back again. However I had problems with the Insurance companies and couldn't travel overseas. This meant putting my research on hold. In reality stuffing all the papers into boxes stowing them on the top shelf in my spare wardrobe.  That was until Probus came up with an insurance that would cover me. So here I am in Cambridge hopefully getting all the material to finish the job. 

Today I completed my first day at a readers desk in the archives. Nine thirty to one , and hour off for lunch  then two to five--six and half hours reading and writing. And I did it. I was bit worried if I could hack the pace of full days work. Something I haven't really done since I retired in 2000.

Now all I have to do is another nine days and I can fly to Hong Kong for a holiday.

First day in Cambridge - February 14

Woke this morning to a bright sunny day. After my shower, an experience in itself, I went down and had breakfast--a marvelous spread. By ten I was outside heading for the centre of Cambridge. Yes it still was sunny, but the temperature was four degrees.

Back to the shower, quite small, fully tiled with a modern set of controls and shower head and flexible lead. The controls were easy to use but lifting the shower rose above your head the water stopped flowing. So to rinse my hair I had to crouch. Before going out I asked at the desk it they do something about it and also to turn the heat down in my room turned to full strength.

Before going on with the Blog and stop you wondering when I returned the low chair had been replaced, so I am not typing like a rider on motor bike with ape-hanger handle bars.  Also the room was cooler, but as yet I haven't checked the shower.

I walked down to markets and on the way took a photo of the old gates to Christ's College.

Had a good look around the markets and headed off to Davids bookshop. Unfortunately it was closed--at least it hasn't cost me anything yet.

The market of several rows of very interesting stalls. Open every day

The close book shop that cost me nothing.

I walked back through a few of the larger stores, not to shop but rather to warm up. On the way I saw a sand sculpture and a couple of armed policemen

A sand sculpture and yes I paid to take the photo.

Two armed police with their pistol slung lowjust like in the old wild west.

On the way back I stopped Zizzis, an Italian restaurant for lunch--carbonara and a glass of Pino Grego. After which I picked a pork pie and some orange juice for tea,

Tomorrow I am of to, SPRI,  the Scott Polar Research Institute.

Off to Cambridge - February 13

To day I checked out of the Amba in London and took the bus Cambridge and are now checked in at  the Lensfield Hotel. A cold day, worse than yesterday, and with rain. Luckily the bus stop M in Portland Street where I picked up the bus was just around the corner less than 100 metres away.

As my ticket instructed me I got tot he bus stop 10 mins before the bus was due. I checked the National Express Android App and saw the bus was on time. Ten minutes later and no bus. Then five minutes later when the bus still hadn't arrive I checked the App again--the expected time was in red and  the bus was running fifteen minutes late.

Eventually it arrive, the driver put my case on, I climbed in, and we were of the Stanstead Airport where I was to pick up a connecting bus to Cambridge. The trip to Stanstead took one and three quarter hours. For the fist hour and half from London we were travelling through built up residential area. Hampstead Heath, Golders Green and then non stop to Stanstead.  Still raining I change buses I was off to Cambridge.

The first bus had WiFi but I had problems connecting my mobile. When I got on the second bus and having about ten minutes to wait I had another go and eventually got it working. The bus pulled out and a little way down the road I got my mobile out and found out this bus didn't have WiFi. I had set up the mobile with the WiFi from the airport where the bus was parked.

By three I was in Cambridge and it had stopped raining. I walk the kilometre to my hotel and checked in. The hotel, a B&B, is in an old listed building and my room on the first floor (for those North Americans, the first floor above the ground floor) is up a very steep and narrow set of stairs. I got someone to carry my case for me. The room is small but has everything except a decent chair for the writing desk. I am currently typing this blog sitting in an antique style low chair such that when my fingers are on the keyboard my hands are  at shoulder high.  House keeping going to replace it for me tomorrow.

Before starting this Blog I waled down to the corner and had a Chinese meal. A real Chinese restraint. I sat opposite the front of house cook and was impressed at the way he could cut up on of those hanging ducks-- you know those cooked ones you see with their heads under their wing. a few deft strokes with his cleaver and the duck was in pieces and crisp skin for Peking Duck was ready to serve.   

No pictures this time but tomorrow I may show you the bus's on board TV screens.

Last day in London or I've been Kindled - February 12

I have just finished breakfasts and already starting to write today's Blog. Strange, but after walking down to breakfast and back to my room, 660 steps, I found my key car would not work. Back to reception to get a new one then back to my room, another 660 steps. I am now in my room writing to you after walking more than kilometre. Good for my health you might say, but more importantly what happened to my key card--it was Kindled. As I approached my room, the first time, I took out my key card with my right hand then moved it to my left holding both the card and my Kindle together. Kindles can be dangerous and have no consideration for an old chaps legs.

Amba Hotel. My room is this end and lifts are one block away at the other end.

Looking back to Marble Arch through which I entered Hyde Park

One of two army groups doing their morning PT.

I am back from a walk in Hyde Park--another 4 km added to my exercise. When I entered the park through the Marble Arch it was 3 degrees and when I returned it had warmed up to 4 degrees. My new hat worked wonders for my head but did nothing for my ears. The things I have to do to bring you this Blog.

Passing through the Marble Arch and negotiating two extremely busy roads you are in Hyde Park. Not only the park but right at Speakers Corner, although not much speaking was happening--must be a warm weather sport.

The park is a large open grassy space with many trees and pathways running in all directions.In the distance I saw the first group of soldiers having their morning PT. I actually heard them before I saw them. I assume, it was their sergeant who was shouting 'gentle' instructions. Later I saw a second group following orders of run, drop, press ups, and then run again. I am certainly glad I am a civilian!

The bed of daffodils, the horsr track and the Serpentine.

Continuing on I came to the Serpentine, the lake in the centre of the park. I crossed through a bed of daffodils, across a dirt horse track and a roadway to stand on the edge of the Serpentine.  Using my telephoto I recorded the first signs of spring in this park.

The first daffodil of spring!

Walking around to the end of the lake I found Serpentine Tea Rooms and took the opportunity to move into the warm--sat down and had a coffee and rather nice pastry. From my table I looked up the lake and watched the people and horses walking past. Not that there were very many. I think it might have been something to do with the temperature.  Although in the time it took to drink my coffee I did see three policemen, one walking and two horse back.

It is interesting to note that here in London you see the police everywhere. Not just the occasional one but two at time and on every second block as you walk down the road.

Walking back I passed through an area that looked very much like farmer's ploughed fields. A large area known as the Parade Ground was being re-turfed with rolls a turf the size of our circular hay bales. A sign informed me that after a series of successful events this area was being returned to its original state (large treeless grass area) for future events. The funding coming from the event organisers themselves.

Two policemen riding past the tea rooms.

Re-turfing the Parade Ground

Pork pie, eccles cake and Spanish wine - February 11

Today I had a Milton Mulberry pork pie, an eccles cake, and bakewell tart. This was to be my lunch along with a bottle of nice sounding Spanish wine.The food was great but the wine was corked. I wasn't going to return it as I had been out all morning, my legs were tired, and it was long way back to the shop. So I poured the wine down the basin. What a mess, red wind everywhere. It looked liked someone had be murdered in my bathroom.

This morning I took the tube back to St. Pauls and this time the cathedral it was open for visitors.

The Tube at St. Pauls station.

The Cathedral was impressive and well worth the visit, but unfortunately no cameras were allowed. You could opt for waiting for a group and have a conducted tour or have self tour using a recorder and head set. I opted for the latter and it proved excellent. I found the two large raised stone coffins in the crypt interesting-- on the Duke of Wellington and the Lord Nelson.

The dome.

After a long time on my feet and up and down a lot stairs I left the Cathedral and got the tube back to Marble Arch and bought myself some lunch.  Afte lunch went for a walk around Portland Square and then decided to buy myself a hat.

I could have used Emma's selfie stick instead had to rely using the mirror above the desk in my room. If  I look funny it is because everything is reversed!

Finally, the hotel covers a complete city block and my room is down one end lifts are at the other. Each time I leave my room I have to walk one complete city block to get to the lifts.

For those interest today I walked 9190 steps or about six and a half kilometres.