Sidney Sussex Arts Festival

SidneySussexArtsFestival

To celebrate 800 years of Cambridge university, Rachel's college put on an arts festival. This was a very civilised afternoon of acting, music, 'comedy', hangman, pimms, cocktails, hog roast and best of all cream teas! Fortunately the weather held out for the most of the afternoon and it was very enjoyable.

Punting, fireworks and croquet

PuntingAndCroquet

After a riveting game of croquet, we punted down to Trinity college where we watched the fantastic fireworks for their May ball. Thanks to my company over catering for a buffet lunch, we had tonnes of food for the picnic in the punt.

Peak District

PeakDistrict

After an enjoyable visit to my grandmother in Rochdale, I met Claire in Buxton for our week in the peak district. We were very sad and went to see all the places that were used in televised versions of Jane Austen and Bronte books in the area, including Lyme Park, Haddon Hall, Chatsworth, Sudbury Hall, The Roaches and Belton House. We also sampled the delights of Bakewell tart and pudding. After watching a program on the differences and how they are made, I thought I would have a preference for one of them. However they were both equally good.
The weather stayed dry for the whole week. However the beginning of the week was quite chilly, so I ended up buying myself a new jumper. Fortunately it improved and was sunny enough for sun cream by the end of the week!

Jo Hen's Party

JoSHenParty

The theme for Jo's hen party was neon, so we all dressed up in various clashing shades of luminous pink and yellow, with loads of leg warmers and glow in the dark makeup and jewellry. The weekend involved a trip to Go Ape, a night out with a mexican meal and clubbing, a trip to a spa, then an afternoon of games and kareoke with an indoor BBQ.

Kayaking

My new hobby is kayaking. I am now a member of Cambridge canoe club, so can take kayak out on the Cam several days a week. I also have recently passed my British Canoe Union Level 1 Canoeing and Kayaking Award, which was loads of fun. A compulsory part of which was capsizing in the river Cam. I really recommend not doing this - I smelt awful afterwards and really appreciated my shower afterwards. One surprise during the course was to see my cousin Aimee going past in a punt!

Dyrham Park

DyrhamPark

I went to Bristol and spent an enjoyable weekend visiting my grandparents. On the Saturday we went to Dyrham park, where they had lots of Dutch pottery and paintings. On the way back I went to Dorinda's baby shower: Never eat baby food in jars - its horrid!

My birthday

Birthday2009

This year I celebrated my birthday with a weekend of sightseeing in London, as well as a Japanese meal with friends. The Japanese restaurant was really good and I have had my fill of raw fish for a while. The bar afterwards was good too, if a little loud. I was amazed that they cleared an area for us. I was also a bit a concerned that I cannot tell the difference between crab and pepper, and strawberry and mango though!

National Trust Properties

As we now have National Trust membership, thanks to our trip to peak district in June, Claire and I decided to make our way round the National Trust properties half way between Royston and Colchester. These included Ickworth House, Melford Hall and Lavenham. All places that were good to walk round while chatting and have a picnic.

IckworthHouse

LavenhamAndMelfordHall

Passed!

In December I took level 3 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and 3 months later found out that I passed! Yay!
I have stopped Japanese lessons for a while now to take up other hobbies, such as kayaking.