This trip could not have happened if we did not have our 12 month visa to stay in France. But, since we do, we were able to fly out of Perpignan last Thursday for Stansted Airport and head to Cambridge to attend an important party, before flying back to France four days later. That made Mick and I feel like real European citizens: country hopping for a weekend away.

But there were a few other things beside the party on our list as well.

First things first.

Mick needed a new pair of shoes.

He had glued this old pair back together on many occasions this year, but they did not have much left in them. He has found that French shoes are too narrow for his feet and we knew a good outdoor shop in downtown Cambridge, which was our first stop. And despite a very rude young man who served us, Mick found exactly what he wanted and was out the door in under ten minutes, carrying his old pair under his arm in search of a rubbish bin. (That was one of the reasons I found the young man very rude – he could sell us a pair of shoes but he could not dispose of the old pair!)

Second stop was an English pharmacy to get some medications that we find hard to buy in France.

And our son had bought me a present. Something I have been craving for and something that was on my list to buy while we were in the UK. I thought this was a fair exchange for the French cheeses I brought over for him in my backpack.

We spent three nights in Downing College where our son has lived for the past three years.

We have visited Cambridge and the college quite a few times, during different seasons, the last time being almost 12 months to the day when we were house sitting in nearby Bourn.  It is a beautiful city, but this time I was saddened to see an increase in the number of homeless people who have more or less set up semi-permanent homes in different shop windows and door ways. Everywhere we walked there were people asking for money, and they obviously were doing it very tough.

Downing College is one of many in Cambridge, and at this time of year there were a number of summer schools on. Also, there were a lot of tourists in Cambridge who liked to walk through the colleges and their gardens, posing for pictures in front of the majestic buildings and perfect lawns.

Those visiting Downing were in for a real treat, because the Heong Gallery at Downing was hosting an exhibition of work by Yoko Ono entitled “Sky Pieces“.

This piece, was entitled imaginatively (John Lennon fans might get that) …….

…..Ladders.

This ‘piece’ didn’t inspire us to go into the gallery to see any of her others – but there were a lot of people who did seem more interested or better able to understand Yoko’s hidden messages. We were told that Yoko did indeed come up with the concept and the ‘name’, for the piece, but the ladders were ‘borrowed’ and were arranged for her. I doubted whether the gardeners were very impressed as their manicured lawns and neat garden edges were now punctuated by tufts of grass growing underneath the ladders.

Mick and I had flown to the UK with our friends Derek and Helen, who were also coming to the party.

If you look carefully, you’ll spot a bottle of French wine on the table – one of seven Mick and I carried in our checked luggage. I was worried they might explode in the air in transit, but I needn’t have bothered. They all survived…

… at least for a day or so!!

We all went out to dinner that night to a great pub owned by a friend of our son’s where Mick could not resist the fish and chips.

It certainly looked impressive.

We had walked through some drizzle to get to the pub and back home again, but we were promised better weather for the garden party which was to take place the following day. And we were not disappointed.

Our son had prepared a veritable feast for his guests, including spit-roasted legs of lamb, and a piece of pork.

It was interesting to watch the interactions between father and son as they debated and discussed the height of the meat from the coals and the time it might take for it to be cooked.

Thankfully, both of them were right in the end, and the meat was ready to be carved around 4.00pm.

Mick did however end up with a nasty injury from one of the spikes as he tried to ensure the pieces of meat were well secured. But, he did not let on until much later in the day.

Our son had made batches of home brew in preparation for the party – fifteen in fact – and had printed a menu of the beers with a description including alcohol content. These proved very popular.

The guests, including my sister who lives nearby in Ampthill, enjoyed the sunshine and meeting the different people at the party.

There were a few speeches, followed by some games, including petanque. But with plastic balls they were not quite up to it. The party finished for us at least around 7.00pm, but we were told it went on until the early hours of the morning.

Mick and I spent our final night in the UK (for this trip) in Stansted Mountfitchet in an old English Pub, called the Old Bell, described as follows.

I’d read that it was quite close to the Stansted Mountfitchet railway station and that it could organise airport transfers to Stansted.

I guess it was quite close, but with two bags each to manage, the walk took us through some interesting places, including past this windmill, and it took much longer than the 12 minutes “Maps” had indicated.

But, it was worth it when we arrived as the accommodation was very suitable and even had a washing machine. Always a bonus when travelling.

This town is famous for Mountfitchet Castle and Norman Village of 1066. But, Mick and I were not up to visiting it after dragging our bags so far. Perhaps next time???

Mick spotted this sign on our walk and thought it very helpful. We wondered how often this might happen.

Mick and I will catch a RyanAir flight to Poitiers later today, where we will spend the next three nights before heading to Limoges for three nights. We are on our way to our next house sitting assignment to the north of Limoges.

We have never been to this part of France and think we will have lots to explore.