The day started with a big frost on the lawns of Downing College. We had not noticed it was cold outside as we have a wonderful room here for four nights in C Staircase (and, as it was pointed out to Mick last night, NOT C Block as that sounds like a prison!)

Mick and I caught a bus to Bedford where Chris picked us up and took us home for a coffee and a piece of Suzanne’s yummy Christmas cake. He then drove us all down to Ampthill’s High Street where he had booked a table for us at a very smart Italian restaurant. 

Suzanne looked fantastic, and was happy with the necklace Mum had given me to bring over for her birthday, as well as the scarf I’d brought her from the rest of the family.

After lunch we had about 30 minutes to wait for our return bus to Bedford which we were to catch outside a pub, so we headed there for a beer and a final chat.

It was a very quick visit, but we had a great day celebrating a signify the milestone for Suzanne. She is planning a trip to Australia in the next few month where we will have more time to catch up on all the news.

We got back to Cambridge about 5pm in pitch black and drizzly rain in time to shower and refresh for dinner in Downing College with some of Edward’s colleagues. It was a very special and intimate dinner with 4 other guests. 

It is like being in a different era spending time in Cambridge University.