Trip to Cambridge

Oooh, I was looking forward to today! We had planned to go over to Cambridge to see Andrew. John, still being imprisoned, was unable to make it, but he suggested that I go anyway. So I did. And it was the most pleasant day.

I spoke to John before I set off, but wasn’t really able to cheer him up. “How are you?” I asked. He looked round the room and counted, “One, two, three, four…. yes, still four walls and a ceiling,” he replied. Oh, dear. Not only that, but he’d been up for three hours already….. we were both stuck for words. The jovial: ‘only a couple more days’ doesn’t hack it I’m afraid, and I had no real suggestions as to how he might occupy his time. In the end, he said briskly, “Anyway, go and dry your hair and get ready to go.”

I set off in plenty of time and had a very good journey along the A14 – what bliss since all the roadworks have been finished. No more queuing or sitting in a traffic jam – all plain sailing this morning – although we were following an abnormal load for about ten minutes, which slowed the traffic up a bit.

Andrew had arranged to see a flat, and I went with him. He was almost ready when I arrived, having just got out of the shower, and we walked the few hundred yards from where he currently lives to the one he wanted to view. It was quite a nice flat, with a good-sized bedroom and living room/diner, separate kitchen and a bathroom. Just what a single man might need.

After the viewing we went for lunch. Well, that was easier said than done! Lots of places were closed down. Lots were closed temporarily, and one or two were fully booked. We finally settled on Browns Bistro opposite the FitzWilliam Museum, and had a good meal there. We didn’t have time for a gander round the museum though – Andrew had to take his bike in for a service at 5 o’clock, and we’d spent so long chatting that time had run away with us. We had had a lovely time.

The journey back was as smooth as the journey there and I was grateful for all the new roads that take you on a flyover, or a go-around, so that you’re not sitting at traffic lights, or on roundabouts for ever.

Once I was home, I gave John a ring to see how he was. He hadn’t had a brilliant day but he had taken himself a walk to the little shop and he’d bought a paper. So that was a positive. He’d also had the excitement of having his kidneys scanned again. The latest doctor (the 6th in 7 days…) thought that it wasn’t a chest infection that had brought John to hospital, but something else. We don’t know what the something else is yet, though. And John is now hooked up to a drip, so he’s not holding his hopes out for a return to the fold tomorrow. Oh, Lordy……

I spoke to Michael too, this evening. Bless him, he’s exhausted. Thomas is unwell and has been sick – and possibly has a sore throat too, so it’s all hands on deck there. All at the same time as Michael is trying to tidy up his thesis for one last time. Very, very tough times – and given the current climate, we are unable to help, which severely goes against the grain.

In the meantime, I find I can’t bring myself to report on the COVID situation for fear I will write something very rude. So that’s all for now folks. God bless.