Trip to the UK 2004
For some time, I had been meaning to try including the results from my PhD into Ian Bonnell's star formation simulations. However, with one thing and another, I hadn't gotten around to doing much about this. Eventually, Cathie invited me back to Cambridge, to have a chat about doing this - and then go up to St Andrews to work with Ian. She timed this invitation so that Ian would be in Cambridge too.
Not being one to miss an opportunity, I decided to do a bit of a tour around the UK while I was at it. First, I went to stay with Ed Barker in London. Ed is a lawyer, so while he was going his usual daily business (sucking people dry, and then charging for the privilege), I went around London for a bit. On the day I arrived, this involved crossing the Millennium Bridge (which was sadly rigid), having a peek around a power station which some thoughtless lout had littered with random bits of twisted metal and paint, and then getting lost in London. The next day (Friday), I went to the Science Museum. I spent several hours in there, and by the time I left, my brain was threatening to explode - even though I'd only even been in about two thirds of the galleries (let alone read the labels). I went next door to the Natural History Museum, in an attempt to cram something into a different part of my skull, but failed. I managed one gallery, before being forced to leave or risk spontaneous rapid cranial disassembly.
On the Saturday, Ed treated me to a trip to St Albans (he could do this for free with his Thameslink season ticket). So, here we are looking at the cathedral, framed a hole in the old Roman walls.
The cathedral interior is quite interesting - a long nave was bolted on to an older chancel. The choir was rehearsing as we wandered around.
I wish that more of my photos from inside were fit for public consumption. Unfortunately, it was rather dark, I had Velvia loaded - and no tripod.
There are no photos from my week in college. I never got around to taking any - primarily because I've already got a lot of photos of Robinson. Whatever, my next jaunt was up to Edinburgh, to visit my cousin. The trip was... interesting. The train I'd wanted to get was cancelled, due to the lack of a guard. The train after that was also cancelled due to line workings, but there was a replacement bus. Anyway, we got to Peterborough eventually, and then I hopped on a train to the North. Well, only as far as Newcastle. There were more permanent way workings between Newcastle and Edinburgh, so a change of trains was required. This took us from Newcastle, to Carlisle, and then on up to Edinburgh. The best part of all this was the following: despite booking my tickets over a week in advance, I hadn't been able to get reduced fares - because of the line workings. Presumably, we had to be charged extra for the extra wear we were placing on the seats, since we had to sit in them for longer. Despite all these adventures, I managed to survive and meet Sandi and Gareth - where I stayed the night.
In Edinburgh, I met my new cousin. This is Benjamin - the latest addition to Clan Edgar. He's holding the Laughing Elk I brought him from Sweden. When switched on, it vibrates, and plays an annoying laughing sound.
Also resident in Sandi and Gareth's house are two cats. Here's one of them, in a photo which demonstrates that I need to get better at sorting out light meter readings (there are other photos which point this out even more forcefully).
I took the train from Edinburgh to St Andrews - primarily because I wanted to go over the Forth Bridge. This constitutes photographic evidence that I did so. Another time, I'll try and stop at Queensferry and get some pictures of the entire bridge. Hardly surprisingly, you don't really get to see the bridge from the train.
These days, there isn't a railway line to St Andrews itself. Instead, you alight at the vibrant metropolis that is Leuchars, and take a bus.
Here we have a picture of the shoreline of St Andrews the morning after I arrived. The rock formations are quite interesting - you can see all the sedimented layers which give rise to these shapes.
I didn't know whether to be amused or concerned by this. The building on the righthand side of the picture is the St Andrews Aquarium (you might just be able to read the sign). The building on the left is a seafood restaurant. One can't help but wonder if the former supplies the latter with its ... surplus exhibits?
These are the ruins of St Andrews castle. Well, actually the bishop's castle, if memory serves.
Another morning shot into the rising Sun. This time, we have St Andrews harbour forming the cheesy silhouette. As you might have gathered by this point, low tide was in the mornings while I was there.
And one more morning photo - the ruined abbey.
My journey back to London was blissfully uneventful - I hopped on the train at Leuchars, and arrived without too many problems back in Kings Cross. I stayed with my sister for a couple of days before returning to the Frozen North.
