Luton, halal rennet and an evening on London

A few hours remained in the morning to complete preparations for my German client's visit. Mrs T had remained at home for the morning to compelete some other family matters, so we were able to journey into Cambridge together on the Park and Ride, an efficient way to travel without the stress.

Taking leave at the bridge on Hills Road, I walked on, with a brief break for a snack at a Halal fast food outlet, where the manager and I discussed the distinction between cheese with vegetarian rennet (which is Halal) and animal derived rennet, whether from calves or clone sources (which is not).

The slightly shorter lesson in Chinese Brush Painting covered birds and insects, where I was particularly pleased with the praying mantis. All too soon, the time came to leave and walk to the Railway Station.

The trip to Luton Airport was via London, which may sound perverse, however, it took only quarter of an hour longer than the more direct bus journey, and was more economical in terms of returning back to Cambridge as well as having the ability to travel free via public transport in London.

Mr Scholz's aeroplane arrived with a marginal delay, despite the impending threat from the volcanic ash cloud, so that he, his companion and I were able to proceed quickly to the hotel in Southwark.

Checked in, we then searched for a pub for the obligatory Fish and Chips that are apparently the only known high point of English cuisine. We had wanted to go by bus to the Elephant and Castle area, there being no food pubs near the hotel. However, lacking precise and sufficient change for the ticket machine, we took a taxi, who's driver advised going to the equidistant Borough instead.

Arriving after nine, all the pubs in the vicinity of the Borough Market were not serving traditional pub fare. We wandered on to London Bridge where, by the old cobbled streets beneath, we found the Mudlark. This pub diner was quiter, had a very pleasant atmosphere after a hectic day and also provided an excellent beer battered Hake and Chips with a side dollop of mushy peas. The only regret was that by the time the main course was one, the kitchen had closed and we were unable to sample the delights of the dessert menu.

Hailing a taxi for Mr Scholz and companion, to speed them safely back to the hotel, I also caught one myself and managed to make the 10:53 to Cambridge. The last leg of the journey home to the soothing sound of classical Bangladeshi music in the cab.