Rachel is the Young Woman's Stake President and had a meeting to attend in Cambridge. We took the opportunity to tag along and meet up with Luke (a mission companion of Adam's ) and his family. We met up in front of Kings College one of 32 Colleges that create Cambridge University. The oldest of the Colleges is Peterhouse which was founded in 1284.
I must take a moment to brag on my brother Jacob and his wife Rachel. They were amazing tour guides. I am sure that they have visited many of the sights numerous times while living in Europe. Not only did they know the best ways to get around, but once we arrived they could explain in great detail the history and meanings behind what we were seeing. Since being home though I have forgotten bits of information and Wikipedia has been helpful!
Above is the Eagle Pub in Cambridge.
When the university's Cavendish Laboratory was still at its old site at nearby Free School Lane the pub was a popular lunch destination for staff working there. Thus it became the place where Francis Crick interrupted patrons' lunchtime on 28 February 1953 to announce that he and James Watson (not that Watson) had "discovered the secret of life" after they had come up with their proposal for the structure of DNA. The anecdote is related in Watson's book The Double Helix and commemorated on a blue plaque next to the entrance. Today the pub serves a special ale to commemorate the discovery.
I thought this was interesting as well... Opposite The Eagle is St Bene't's Church, the oldest standing building in Cambridge, with the Saxon tower dating from around 1033.
During WWII, the pub became a favorite hangout for off duty R.A.F personnel eager to unwind from the stresses war. It is believed that in late 1941 or early 1942, a young airman stood precariously balanced on a chair atop a table in the back bar, then using a candle he burned his Squadron’s number into the ceiling. This started a tradition that was to continue until war’s end and beyond, right up to the days of the Berlin Airlift in fact. In 1942 the 8th AAF came to England and many of the former RAF airfields became home to American Bomber and Fighter Groups. Many of the young US airmen came to Cambridge to relax at the American Red Cross club just around the block from the Eagle, but they also visited the pub and using lipstick, charcoal, candles and Zippos, proudly added their units to the ceiling’s now crowded surface. The war ended and with the passing of time and the atmosphere caused by constant smokers, the ceiling became covered in nicotine deposits and its dark brown surface gradually hid everything underneath. One day, a pub regular named James Chainey, spotted something on the ceiling above his head. With the landlord’s permission he cleaned the area and this led to his cleaning the whole ceiling. James then set about recording every inch of the ceiling and deciphering all the units.
Malcolm ‘Ozzie’ Osborn
Punting the Cam is a Huge must do if your in Cambridge. We purchased our tickets before we arrived and were excited to enjoy the boat ride full of facts about each of the 32 colleges. Most people say that it is the best way to tour the town and university. Remember how Rachel and Gavin had to miss out on London because of the rain...well that rain caused the river to run extremely fast the next day and they canceled all tours for the day. Jacob actually said it was the first time he had seen that happen in his many visits to Cambridge.
With our main plan unavailable we started to walk the streets of Cambridge. I noticed a round church and thought it looked very interesting. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, but called The Round Church by locals was built in 1130. Isn't that date amazing...the United States most significant older date being 1776. I asked Luke and his wife Ester if they ever stop to look up! I often found myself walking and instead of looking in front of me I was looking up at the amazing architecture and masonry. They said that it is a norm to them, but once in a while something catches their eye and they are smitten as well. Just across the street from the Round Church was a candy shop. Since I was having so much fun being Aunt Jennie and Ethan, Eva & Eli were now out a boat ride, a visit to a candy shop seemed the right thing to do!! We asked for all adults to remain outside and the four of us headed in. Ceiling to floor shelves were filled will jars of candy, the store was actually two stories with the iron round stairs leading to the second floor. The kids eyes were priceless, as they began to scan all of the choices before them. The Jelly Belly wall was the first stop. Each of the kids grabbed a bag and filled it with their favorites. I was surprised with after Ethan filled his bag he declared that he had enough sweets. I made the comment that as long as he was sure he didn't need anything else, we could check out! His eyes began to wonder again and other items were added to the total :) Each of the kids picked three things to enjoy. I also grabbed a bag full of goodies to share with Gavin!! No, it wasn't a boat ride, but I think it's safe to say we all had a good time, but it was not as much fun as taking them to America for the afternoon!!
Jacob had taken Adam and me on base to do a little souvenir shopping a couple of days before, but we thought a walk through an American grocery store and seeing some airplanes might be fun for Luke, Ester and the kids! It was also a great way to get supplies for a good old fashion American BBQ. Jacob took Ester and Luke to get passes and we thought it would be fun to take a picture of the kids in front of the base sign. Little did we know that a few weeks earlier someone had quickly stopped taken of photo of the sign and sped off locking down the base for a few hours. We were asked not to take photos so we headed back to the cars and loaded the kids back up.
Jacob took us around the base to see the planes that refuel plane in the air and his office building. When we arrived at the grocery store and were getting out of the car, the first thing the kids noticed (and were excited about) was an American mailbox sitting in the parking lot.
Once we got into the store the fun really began. From the carts shaped as cars for little ones to big sweet potatoes they were seeing a lot of new and exciting things. Ester and I took the kids down each aisle while the guys picked out the meat to grill. Gram Crackers, Fruit Loops, Cheetos, Root Beer and Blue Bell ice cream were just a few of the items the kids had to try! We loaded up a cart full of goodies and dinner and headed back to Jacob's and Rachel's house. They were so wonderful to not only have Adam and I over, but Luke and his family as well.
I showed Rachel and Ester how to cook corn on the cob in three minutes, a new trick that I had learned on Pintrest!! Sweet Potatoes were baked, burgers and steaks were grilled, fruit salad was cut up (in England they consider fruit salad dessert not a side dish) and the table was moved outside for a true BBQ experience :) Ester and Luke enjoyed the sweet potatoes, but their kids weren't fans! When it came to the Root Beer taste test Ester liked Barq's more than Mug and A&W. Luke doesn't care for Root Beer, he thinks it tastes like medicine. He did however enjoy IBC cream soda!
Brownies and Ice Cream were also enjoyed!! As you can see Gavin thoroughly enjoyed his his dinner as well :)
Gavin enjoyed playing with Ethan, Eli and Eva. The Dad's even walked the kids to the park for some fun together, while the Mom's took a break and chatted while making dinner.
We had an amazing day with everyone! It was truly as joy to meet Luke, Ester and their family as well as spending quality time with Jacob, Rachel and Gavin. A BIG thank you to Jacob and Rachel for being amazing hosts while Adam and I visited!!
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