All Work and No Play

The library at ARU

The Salisbury Arms

... makes me a dull person. Which is probably true. At the moment I feel as though I never have my head out of a book (which I don't). It's because the deadline for my MA assignment is looming and I'm really struggling with getting it done. I'm doing all the reading but it seems to be never-ending and just when I think I'm close to getting my assignment sorted, I read something else which sets me off in another direction.

I think I have to stop reading and get on with writing.

Which is what I've been doing this weekend.

A study trip to Cambridge
I went over to Cambridge and spent the afternoon studying in the library where I managed to get quite a lot of work done, but not quite enough.

It was one of those lovely crisp, cold, bright mornings.

I took my camera with me as I thought the light would be good. it was.

I took a picture of the Salisbury Arms in Tennison Road, firstly for sentimental reasons because I used to go there was I lived in Cambridge as a student and secondly because I really liked the colour and composition.

I then stopped off at Cafe de Paris in Mill Road. That's where I have my regular pre-study fix of two large black coffees (one is never enough) and a piece of wicked chocolate cake. That sets me up for the day.

After that, it's a quick browse round the Salvation Army shop to see if they have any good books (at 70p each they're a snip). This week I found loads and spent a whole £6 - but that did include a hardback. :)

The university library
I really like libraries and I especially like the one at ARU. It's not stuffy like some libraries and the staff are very friendly and helpful. I like sitting amongst the students and listening to their multi-lingual chatter.

I plug myself into my i-Pod and then I can focus on what I'm writing. The time simply flew by.

Shoe-shopping
Then it was home on the train to meet up with Calum and Lola in town and buy Lola a new pair of shoes, as well as suss out a pair for myself.

When it comes to shoe-shopping Lola and I are experts and the shoe purchase was accomplished in minutes. Calum went off to have a passport photo taken - I don't blame him.

Polar Express
By the end of the day my brain had had enough, so it was time to relax in front of the TV and watch a cheesy Christmas film.

I chose Polar Express which is very cheesy indeed (and meant for six year olds) but I have to admit I enjoyed it, much to the children's amusement.

Well, it is nearly Christmas after all!