Matthew's Journal

Well, I am completely and utterly insomniac tonight (how suprising is that? not very). claroscuro and senji are camped out in the computer room, so I'm writing this on senji's laptop in the bedroom, since atreic is fast asleep. Still, gives me a chance to update things, doesn't it?

Saturday

Was the big party. And a failed peal attempt, which ate my afternoon and trashed my hands and was generally a big waste of time. Still, I won't have to do another one again. Ever, hopefully... The party generally went well - people drank (though I made a big loss on the beer, given all 72 pints were drunk), ate, and were merry (some more than others). Cathy seemed cheered by it all. The only downside was having to clear it all up afterwards - I cleared all the minging food waste from the garden (what was wrong with the bin, I will never know), and senji and claroscuro did most of the rest.

Sunday

After a nice sausage breakfast cooked by atreic, I drove her and a couple of CULES types to Oxfnord for the Light Entertainment varsity match(!). After much driving round Oxfnord, we got there in time, there was much faff, and then the event itself, which was quite amusing (and I got to heckle a lot ;). OULES eventually won, after the team captains played a tie-breaking game of scissors, paper, stone. We then went for curry, which was good.

Monday

atreic and I spent a couple of hours wandering around Oxfnord, looking at colleges, the odd library and a few bookshops. I then drove the same people plus one extra most of the way back to Cambridge, before the brakes noisly decided they'd had enough. I then had to be towed back by the RAC, which was a bore. The garage then declared that all four lots of brakes were doomed and would need replacing, which cost 240UKP. It would also delay our departure to Norfolk (though they said they'd be able to do it first thing).

Tuesday

After much doom, incorrect spare parts and phone calls, I eventually got my car back from the garage at about 2.30, and we headed for Norfolk. We stopped at Norwich, looked at the Castle, and then visited the Cathedreal, where we stayed for evensong (which the St. John's Ambulance were attending, it being their patronal festival), which was nice. Thence to Sheringham, where we were staying in a lovely B&B (en-suite corner bath, vast room, complementary sherry...). Dinner was in a pub in town, followed by a walk along the sea-front.

Wednesday

Started with a nice cooked breakfast, and then a drive to a bird reserve on the north Norfolk coast (the name escapes me). We saw a few birds, but only one seal, which was dead, and went swimming in the sea (cold, but fun). Then to Felbrigg Hall (NT), which had a very cool Old Library and a lovely walled herb garden, lunch in some random small village (mmm....maple syrup), and Blickling Hall (NT), which has a fine long gallery - it was a shame some of the house was water-damaged. A quick drive to Cromer for another dip in the sea (which was rather cold by this point, but hey) and dinner, before heading back to Cambridge, without further car trouble. It was really lovely to get away and not have to stress for a couple of days.

Thursday

Was the inspection of doom (which didn't go toooo badly in the end), followed by meeting atreic's parents for lunch, further pre-graduation faffage, drinks in Old Hall (mmm....fizzy pop), followed by dinner with the above.

Today

Graduation day for Queens'. A very very early start (6.30 alarm, but I was awake at 5), breakfast in hall, a swift change, photographs, faff, and then to the Senate House. I managed to end up right in the front row, so will be appearing in all the internal pictures. This may not be a feature ;) Then a tour round the usually-closed bits of college, and I left atreic and family sorting lunch to go and do tidying/laundry at Foundation. Foundation actually had dinner together for once, then my parents turned up for a bit. I attempted to get an early night, but am still drastically insomniac - it's too hot, and I don't feel even remotely tired. Given I was up at 5am, this is silly. The alarm is set for 7.15, so tommorow is looking like zombie-mode all the way :(