This was a day for changing cities. Going east or west across the country is often a tricky one as routes tend to go north and south. This being the case, my journey to Cambridge involved two changes; one at Leeds, and one at Peterborough. In fact, my ticket was also split at Doncaster as the automatic booking system did this to save me 27p. I resolved to spend it well when I arrived.
The train left on time from LIV at 09.51. The first change was at LDS arriving 11.18, departing 11.40. The final was at PBO, arriving 12.59, departing 13.19. There was a small delay in the PBO bound train, but not enough such that any connections were missed. I arrived at CBG on schedule at 14.08. O enjoyed “Sounds of the 80s”, and the final episodes of “Dead Man Running ” as I trundled across England’s green and pleasant lands.
On arrival at CBG, it was a 26 minute walk across town to my accommodation at Christ’s College. It is unusual for me to book anything other than a self-catered apartment, but the opportunity to stay in student accommodation in Themis famous university town could not be passed over. I was delighted to find my room through a series of very pretty courtyards, with well-kept gardens and lawns.
I went on a mission to refill my shampoo, and conditioner and this time was successful. I was struck by a conversation I’d had with a friend where we’d agreed that the refill shops are expensive, and therefore inaccessible to many. It’s noteworthy that after being in two fairly industrial towns, it was the more up-market university town that had the shop I was looking for. In fact, my research turned up more than one. Make of this what you will.
I noted a match of cricket in Parker’s Piece, so I purchased coffee, and a cannoli from a local establishment and enjoyed these, with my book. I watched the game and tried to figure out what was going on, and who was playing who but left none the wiser.
I then intended to go for a drink, but instead heard the sound of church bells. I followed them to Great St. Mary’s church where Evensong was just beginning. Seizing the opportunity I joined the congregation.
It was a really lovely service. There was a lot of music I recognised, having sung it myself in my days in the choir of St. James, Penicuik. In particular, I very much enjoyed Hubert Parry’s “I was Glad”, sung at the begining of the service. As it happened, it was the last of the services involving the choir for the academic year, so a number of choristers were being formally admitted, alongside some leaving for the last time. Many memories were stirred of my own admittance into the choir, perhaps 37 or so years ago.
I left feeling relaxed, and calm, and headlined to “Dishoom”, where I enjoyed a number of culinary delights accompanied by a vey overdue cold beer.
I happened to be in Cambridge of the even of an important cultural sporting event, so I took it in myself to join the locals in the “Champion of the Thames” to fully experience this. It’s fairly well known that I have no idea whatsoever about football but given the importance of this, it made sense to attempt to embrace it. Pint ordered, I found a corner to stand in.
I managed to figure out to some extent what was going on. The populous were in favour of the gentlemen in white T-Shirts (who I believe represented their country), and not in favour of those in red (who I think represented the country of Spain). The aim of the game seemed to be to kick a ball through a netted window of sorts, guarded by a member of the opposing group. This action would gain the group a point. The group with the more points than the other overall would be declared the winner.
The first act ran to just over 45 minutes, by which point neither group had any points whatsoever. Both groups had a member awarded a “yellow card”, indicating that player had broken the rules in some way. Other than that, the game was unremarkable so far with the ball “too-ing-and-fro-ing” between the two halves of the field.
Approximately a minute into the second act, a Spanish gentleman “scored”, meaning he had kicked the ball through the netted window guarded by an English player. Not long after this, another English player was shown the “yellow card”. A rule allowing players to be exchanged for this less exhausted was instigated by both groups, who each took the opportunity to replace their group captain no less.
Approximately 28 minutes into the second act, an English player (recently on as a substitute for another player “scored”, bringing the points total to 1 each. I have to confess, I have never heard a roar of celebration like it when this occurred. The atmosphere became significantly more tense
A few minutes before the end-of-play, the Spanish group scored again, and the points remained the same from there.
The people I’m was surrounded by were obviously disappointed, as there group had lost the match. However I ws pleased to note that I did not feel unsafe, or unwelcome ate any point. My experiences of this game have not been positive previously but perhaps I can see it in a new light, given the fact that I was able to leave unharmed, and enlightened.
