Last days in Cambridge

This was our last weekend here. On Saturday we went with James to Homerton Childrens' Centre for a Bear Hunt (here you see him crossing the river), which was followed by a poetry performance. You can see from the photo, that he loved the poet.

Next was swimming lesson with granddad in the pool. It was a big morning for James as he started to show real confidence without granddad holding on.

After lunch Miang and I were on grandparent duty while Chris and Hiva went to a wedding in Birmingham.

On Sunday morning, after watching the rugby, Miang and I took a bicycle ride to Madingley, for lunch at the Three Horsehoes, arriving just at the 12 noon opening to avoid the crowds. The meal was delicious and set us up for our next cycling excursion to the nearby American Cemetery. This is a beautiful place, with detailed information about the role of US servicemen involved in the Battle of the Atlantic and the European Air Campaign. 3800 US servicemen are buried here and around 6000 lost and missing are commemorated on the wall running the length of the cemetery.

Finally, in the evening, we joined Lynn Gladden, and her husband Paul (on right), who hosted us and and lab colleagues Andy Sederman and Mick Mantle, for a meal in Brasserie Gerard on Bridge Street. This was a chance to say farewell and a thank you to this remarkable woman and friend. Lynn Gladden is the Shell Professor of Chemical Engineering at Cambridge, an FRS, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University and Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. She was my sponsor for the Visiting Fellowship at Trinity. Miang and I owe her a great deal for what has been a most wonderful stay in Cambridge.