How I ruined the Corpus Christi Clock and other Cambridge tales

Yesterday I headed off to Cambridge to finally visit Dom who is reading history at The University of Cambridge. I knew it was going to be an entertaining trip based on the journey. When I arrived at Kings Cross there was a hand-written sign as you left the underground that said, “Please make sure to touch your oysters as you leave the station.” Being a Londoner I knew exactly what they meant but I think they could have worded it better for visitors…

Having been in a bit of a rush to leave I hadn’t had time for breakfast or lunch so I decided to get a sandwich from Upper Crust. They guy serving me immediately commented on the sheer size of my nose ring. Normally this involves someone feeling like they have right to make tutting, disparaging comments about my piercings but I quickly realised that he was fascinated rather than disgusted so I jokingly told him that I had quite a few tattoos as well. He of course didn’t believe me. I couldn’t let it go so I took off my coat and rolled up my sleeves and leggings and showed him, bringing the entire staff of said sandwich shop to a halt and leaving the growing queue unattended. I made such an impression that I was given a free apple for my journey. Take that, all the people who told me getting tattoos in visible places would be to my detriment.

On arrival Dom greeted me with great enthusiasm and after I dumped my stuff in his very cosy room we went on a bit of a wander around Cambridge. It really is absolutely gorgeous and very old and architecturally arresting.  I suppose it is exactly how you would imagine Cambridge to be. We checked out some of the colleges (Dom very proudly belongs to Caius), as well as some people who were punting and a magnificent library.

If you look behind me you will see some people punting

The crowning glory was the Corpus Christi Clock, which is a colossal gold-plated clock outside the Taylor Library that was famously unveiled by Prof Stephen Hawkins. It has a giant grasshopper alien thing on it that is supposed to be eating time. Now I am really sorry, but to me it looks a lot more like it is humping time. I stupidly pointed this out to Dom and forever ruined the clock for him.

Locust humps time... Abbi is clearly excited

After that we met up with Dom’s lovely friends, Abi, Olver and Owen for dinner at the halls. It seems there are two rounds of dinner, the first being finormal and the second being formal where you have to wear your cloak. It’s all terribly Harry Potter. We went to the second one. Check out the cloaks! I don’t think poor Owen was enjoying my random rambling though.

Oliver and Dom in their cloaks

We then decided a drink or two were in order and went to find a pub. I once again pointed out my observations about the clock, this time to Abi, Oliver and Owen, ruining it for them as well. (I am worried that there is a warrant out for my arrest in Cambridge now). The pub was strangely quiet, although I suppose it was a Sunday night… well except for the very rowdy Germans in the corner.

Eventually we headed back to Dom’s room where he foolishly introduced me to a game called Peggle. I became obsessed and made him play with me until something ridiculous like 2am… despite the fact that I was actually pretty bad at Peggle.

Peggle shame!

Our morning was spent  checking out the main University Library that I was only allowed into on condition that I wouldn’t touch any of the books and then eating the most amazing waffles. Look at this baby… could you say no?

And in the morning, I'm making waffles!

All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable trip and I would suggest to anyone who is able that adopting surrogate siblings and showing up at their uni to inspect is the way forward… anyone else want me to come and visit?

Super hugs to Dom for being such an amazing host and in particular for giving up his bed to me!