Brilliantly clear skies, a warm summer breeze, bluebells and tulips, daisies and cherry blossoms, rich green manicured lawns, willow fronds trailing the water as do our fingers, our young Engineering graduate providing narrative as he gently guides our Punt along the river Cam. What a delightful way to explore this beautiful piece of Cambridge….

Home of Cambridge University…formed in 1209 …31 colleges, 88 nobel prizes, 33 of these secured by Trinity college alumni dedicated to math.

A wave to Queen Lizzie’s helicopter…she’s arriving to help St John’s College celebrate 500 years…dodging the media, Bobbies in bullet proof vests and bicycle riders as we head for Kings College chapel. Later, reflecting on the splendor of the chapel’s interior my late PaHannah comes to mind. Pa, a church organ maestro, would have so enjoyed playing it’s magnificent organ pipes.

Finish off the day with a lovely evening at the Cock; today a tour around the quaint Hamlets surrounding Huntington, home of my gracious hosts Rupert Smythe – Farquarson and Hortense Higginbottom – Farquarson – David and Helen.

Thanks guys! Now to London to rejoin Jenny and Ross.

A couple of my good mates suggested I create a blog to share my impending journey with friends and family and what a fabulous idea? Hence the establishment of this Blog. You will see by the tabs that the blog has long term plans, but for the moment a perfect vehicle for sharing our adventure.

My travelling companions and long time friends Jenny and Ross and I plan to munch our way through the south of France and Italy, coffee with George in Lake Como, pop a toe into Switzerland (just so we can say we’ve been there) and then….bliss out with seven days in Paris. And what better way to celebrate Jenny’s birthday? A milestone birthday which of course demands an appropriate place in which to celebrate.

Please join us as we share fave photos, describe our most delectable dishes, ruminate on our Hotels, Castles and B&B’s; and provide general commentary on the scenery, each other’s driving capability, the locals, the fashion, the politics and all things European.

We hope you enjoy!