0500 I was dozing off in front of the TV by 0800 last night. Then I slept really well and could probably have slept longer but I’m keen to get started early as usual. There is rain on the window but it’s clear at the moment.
0630 It’s quiet at breakfast again. I start reading one of the books I bought yesterday: 50 Ways to Improve Your German.
0730 After checking train timetables I head to the station. Today I want to visit Norwich. The weather outside is clear and crisp. I buy an off-peak ticket. It’s not that easy knowing which tickets are allowed but the ticket has a website address which I check and I think it’s OK. (It is.)
0809 We depart Cambridge, stopping at Cambridge North, Ely, Brandon, Thetford, Attleborough, Wymondham and Norwich. On the way I see canals, fields, woods and forests; a bit of everything. I need to keep reminding myself that I‘m here and on holiday. It‘s too easy to take it for granted. I remember imagining these moments when I was back home. Well, here they are!
0938 We arrive at Norwich and I walk along the river walk which takes me past some lovely scenery and the Cow Tower. I head towards Elm Hill. The street is full of Elizabethan buildings. Next I head to Norwich Cathedral. I don‘t go in; not that interested. But it‘s good to see up close and see the differences with the other cathedrals I have visited. It appears less gothic?
Next I wander to Norwich Castle. Again, not quite like other castles I have seen. The stonework is less pitted. At first I thought it must be much more recent but it dates back to Norman times. Maybe it‘s made of different stone.
There are markets. They‘re very organised and a bit commercial, but I wander and get a nice roast beef roll for lunch. There‘s a loud protest going on outside the town hall. I can‘t work out what it‘s about, but the crowd seems well behaved, if very noisy.
When it‘s time to make my way back to the station I walk through a number of quaint narrow streets.
1240 I‘m returning to Cambridge early because of something I want to do this evening. It‘s overcast now and I semi-snooze on the train.
1400 We arrive back in Cambridge.
I want to head in to London to visit The Tower Remembers, which is a torchlight installation around the Tower of London to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI. Tonight is the last night, so my only opportunity. The weather report seems OK, so I give it a go.
1520 I head to the station and there is a heavy downpour. I head back to my room to get my umbrella. I‘m not sure of the exact train ticket so I go to the ticket office. I get my ticket just in time.
1544 I‘m on a direct train to London Kings Cross and it‘s packed. Maybe lot‘s of people are going to the same place? The rain clears a bit as we leave Cambridge.
1633 We arrive at Kings Cross and I make my way to the tube station. There is a long wait for the train (by tube standards).
1703 I catch the Circle line to Tower Hill.
1718 Just about the whole train alights at Tower Hill along with numerous other trains. It‘s jam packed. I have underestimated this event. As we reach ground level I can see it is bucketing down. I‘m so glad I wore my rain coat and brought my umbrella. We begin a directed shuffle to the Tower that will take just under 2 hours. At times I think about bailing, but I remember why I‘m there. It feels disrespectful (and un-British) to let a little rain put me off. The mood is orderly and people are in good spirits. I get the sense that this is a significant event.
1900 I finally get to the Tower. It‘s still raining, but the installation (sight and sound) is moving. But it‘s hard to stay and ponder for too long. The installation consists of 10,000 torches lit around the Tower and quite somber music. You can read more about it here: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/explore/the-tower-remembers/#gs.ggmhxsQ
Afterwards, I decide to avoid Tower Hill station and make a dash for Aldgate station instead.
1930 I catch a CIrcle Line train back to Kings Cross. I have very soggy feet! I‘m so glad I left my camera and back pack in the hotel. It would have been a nightmare trying to navigate with them and to protect them.
2005 After a wrong turn, I make it back to Kings Cross train station and on a train back to Cambridge. Settled in, I eat the sandwich I had bought on the way through the station.
2035 We depart London.
2140 We arrive in Cambridge. I make the short dash to the hotel, dry off and straight to bed.
