This was a series of firsts for me, chief among them my first transatlantic flight and my first time in Europe.
Getting from Heathrow to King’s Cross Station involved the London Underground. I was very surprised the Underground had no ‘stop request’ function that I could see. Pittsburgh’s light-rail system only stops at requested stations, or if someone is waiting on the platform.
After reaching our lodgings, the Earl of Derby in Cambridge, and having a pair of Old Speckled Hens at said pub, we began exploring the city. I’m struck at how beautiful it is here; a mix of old and new architecture and a mix of people. It’s also very easy to get around by walking.
We sampled several local pubs: the Flying Pig, the Castle Bar, the Mill, the Maypole and the Hopbine. The Castle is a more modern affair, with a mural of the London Underground, but with musicians standing in for the stations. The others are all intimate affairs, with cozy furniture and a closeness that adds to the ambience. I could easily visit any of them again — and I’m sure we will before we leave.