February 13, 2008
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Saturday, February 9, 2008
A Trip to the Arctic
Once again, as we’ve done on all the other Saturdays we’ve been in Cambridge, we slept in, cleaned the house, had lunch, and headed out for a local adventure. Today, we were to see The Scott Polar Research Institute. I went online to find out about it, and it looked great with pages outlining all the exhibits and such. I started to get worried we’d run out of time to see it, as we were only giving ourselves two hours total. This set me into, “Eat faster! Come on! Let’s go!” hyper-ness, but thankfully TGD calmed me down.
We caught the bus and made a stop at the Bookmobile first. (Why is there always a toddler with a smelly diaper at the Bookmobile when I am there? Gag!) I had requested 12 books online over the past week or so, one of which an email told me was in . My eyes got rather large when all 12 books were presented–in addition to the other books the children had already chosen. “Ah, honey? Can you go to Marks and Spencer and ask them for an extra bag?”
Then, it was time for the Polar Institute. We went into the first room which was fascinating. It was filled with letters, newspaper clipping, gear, photos, and things from numerous polar expeditions. They had clothing, sleeping bags, and coats actually worn by explorers. There were model ships, compasses, and even a ship’s organ! When we felt we had explored that room, we were ready to head to the next.
But, what was this? That room was the only one? Huh? What about all those things online? It turns out that parts of the room were the displays. TGD thought it a grand joke that the museum turned out to be so small. Still, it was nifty.
A model of a ship used in Arctic exploration.
Hunter studies one of the displays.
LibbyK, TGD, and Little Miss pose by a stuffed penguin (and Gockle ducked in, too)
LittleMiss and a display of ships and things.
After our jaunt to the Arctic, we decided to take advantage of the mild weather and have a snack on the wall outside King’s College. We got sodas and snacks (scone, Bakewell Tart, biscuits, etc.) from Marks and Spencer and headed past Great St. Mary’s Church where there was quite a crowd…and news cameras. TGD asked one of the news guys what was going on. It seems the Archbishop of Canterbury just left the church where a memorial service was being held. TGD was sorely disappointed to have missed seeing the Archbishop. (Who is the guy from the movie Johnny English to me, not the real man. Who needs Thomas a Becket when you think of “Jesus is Coming. Look Busy!)Hunter in front of Great Saint Mary’s Church
Comments (10)
Very nice photos!
I love those ships! Did I tell you I spent six years cross-stitching a picture of the “Flying Cloud”, and three years on another one of five different sailing ships? And I have at least two more sailing ship cross-stitches to do someday?
YOur experience there is just so awesome. I am awe struck at how much your packing into your time there- and still “cleaning house” and all that jazz!
What a blessing and a life changing experience….to live in another country and “become” one of them for that period of time is just so neat.
The weather looks lovely there too (referring to your park pictures)….I just looked out and it’s dumping LOADS of BIG snow flakes outside.
I’m in heaven. 
I’d love to sail on one of those ships….and now I’ve posted on all three entries for the day. Do I get extra points?
WoW! What amazing and beautiful pictures!! You must be having such a fun, educational experience x1,000! The stuffed penguin looks so big. I didn’t realize they were that big… How fun! I wanna visit..
Hope you all are enjoying yourselves. Hope you family feels better soon.
Very interesting to see boats and things like that.. Oooh, did u get those 12 books on this day?? That would be like totally have made my day if I got them all 12 books I wanted..
I just love how your kids pose for you in the pictures. They seem like great kids
It seems that I have to tackle mine to get them all in a photo, and we just have three, lol. 
Good for you for sharing your love of learning with your kids. I too love to take trips to museums and believe I am slowly convincing my kids that learning actually CAN be fun
Linaldawen got Becket from the library today and I am off to watch it with her! Our house stinks like skunk. I think the dog just got sprayed. PU. As if poopy toddlers weren’t bad enough. (This part of the potty training is not going so well.)
Happy St. Valentine’s Day!
Looks like you had plenty of time after all! That museum reminds me of the Alien museum in Roswell… a lot timier than expected… a bit dissapointing.
“Jesus is coming! Look busy!”? I saw that on a Northern Sun bumpersticker.
Keep those pictures coming! It’s almost like we were there!