In my notes from cambridge part I I told you I was heading out to explore alone with just my headphones and Google Maps and I followed through on my intention. Google Maps is an absolute bastard for me to understand though, so I just went wandering. It was quite liberating in a way - it gave me the freedom to keep my eyes on my surroundings and not fixed on my phone.
Exploring somewhere new purely for personal pleasure and for experience's sake is something I seriously underestimated. It's the ultimate declaration of self-love: watch as I do and see and eat everything I please, purely because it brings me joy. I didn't have to wait for anyone. I didn't have to consider anyone. I just went, and it taught me a lot about how much I really need to be alone right now.
I knew I wanted to see King's College Chapel again so I started in the vague direction of that and adventured my way around the beautiful streets of Cambridge. I was lost, but things looked vaguely familiar. I was surprised at how comfortable I was in Cambridge and how easily I navigated the streets having only visited it for the first time two days before.
As most of the buildings are spectacular examples of beautiful architecture, I almost walked right past my first destination, marking it as just another building. It turned out to be Emmanuel College, which ended up being my favourite place of the day. The courtyard was beautiful and it was so quiet and hidden away. After exploring the inside of the chapel I ventured to the spaces beyond, where I lost my shit over a duck pond and a little lake full of fish.
From Emmanuel College I moved onto the Grand Arcade shopping centre in search of a phone charger because ya girl was on like 30% battery at this point and I'd only been out thirty minutes. I didn't find one but I took my time ducking into shops that took my interest. From there I miraculously knew my way to Cambridge Market and King's College Chapel so that is the route I took. I wandered the market for a while, debated purchasing a £23 'Cambridge University' hoodie just for the irony and to make Dan laugh, then continued on my merry way.
St Mary's Church tugged at my attention before I reached the Chapel, and I spent a while marvelling at the stained glass and incredible ceiling. I popped a £1 coin into the donation box and lit a white pillar candle for my Pap and my Nan. I stood for a moment thinking of everything and nothing. And then I coughed up £5 so I could make my way up the tightest bloody staircase I've ever stepped upon. I wasn't sure what to expect from St Mary's Tower but oh my godddd the view was worth the money. (I only would have spent it on a chicken nugget share box anyway tbh.)
The view of Cambridge from above was breath-taking, both literally and figuratively. That fucking staircase man. It was a killer. But the need to catch my breath provided an opportunity for me to just look and be present and to take it all in. I took photos and marvelled at how I'd made it here.
After the climb from hell I began to crave the pancakes Dan had enticed me with from his café menu so I made my way back, stopping for water and more photo opportunities on the way.
And then we were reunited! We had lunch together (I had the plant based pancakes as promised) and I spent the next five hours alternating between watching Dan work and catching up with my family via Facebook messenger. After work we got the train back to his little town, walked 45 minutes to his house and got into bed to play more Red Dead Redemption. And thus! My fourth night away from home drew to a close and I began to wonder/worry about what we had planned for the next day... x
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