Greg Wesson's Esoteric Globe

I went to Cambridge. Cambridge is the site of the famous and old University of Cambridge. Spent a day and a half there, and frankly feel no smarter for it. Perhaps you actually have to attend the University for your intelligence to improve.

Trinity College, University of Cambridge

Tower at Kings College Cambridge, University of Cambridge

Rooftops Kings College Cambridge, University of Cambridge

Loch Fyne Seafood Trumpington Street

Kings College Chapel, University of Cambridge

Flowers and Iron

Kings College Cambridge, University of Cambridge

Jesus College, University of Cambridge

Flowers in the rain

Fitzwilliam Museum Entry, University of Cambridge

Cafe Bar

For reasons that can't be explained, the hotel I stayed in provided three rubber ducks for bathtime, even though my room only had a shower. Not much fun playing with your ducks in the shower...

Rubber Ducky, You're the One!

William Shakespeare was born, lived, and died in Stratford-Upon-Avon, just south of Birmingham. His most famous plays were staged originally in London at the Globe Theatre, but William Shakespeare always kept his place in Stratford, and is now buried in the small town in the Midlands.

Shakespear's House

Falstaff Stuate with Shakesphere in Background

We are merely players

Lady Macbeth Wrings her Hands

Alas poor Yorrick, I knew him well

William Shakespeare's Grave in Holy Trinity Church

Shakespeare in the Park, Avonbank Gardens

Jester Statue

White Swan pub in Stratford

Stratford's Thatch Roof Inn

Dreams of train journeys across endless plains
Dreams of arrow straight roads through desert moonscapes
Dreams of watching through airplane’s small windows as we break through the clouds into sunlight
Dreams of the sea spray on our faces as the ferry approaches land
Dreams of walking through dense forest into a sunlit clearing
Dreams of the sound of rain hitting our umbrellas as we wander the streets of the future’s cities
Dreams of rolling hills snuggling dark blue lakes only visible from a remote cabin

The departures board clicks and spins through endless destinations
Shuffling destinations endlessly throughout the day, dealing a deck of places of which to dream
Dream of away

Held yearly at Earl's Court during the first weekend of August, the CAMRA Great British Beer Festival provides an opportunity to try over 700 real ales, ciders, perrys and foreign beers, as well as other alcoholic drinks. I went on the Saturday - the last day. Unfortunately, many of the taps started to run dry, so the selection of beers was limited. Prices aren't much different than what you would spend in a pub, and with the £10 entrance fee and £3 glass fee (that is refundable), it isn't the greatest value. The music was fun, though, and the food was excellent - especially the mussels from the seafood stand.

I've compiled some photos, video and audio into the following video log, or "vlog" for your pleasure....

If you can't see this video here, check it out on Youtube.

I’ve been the UK long enough now that I don’t have to count my change. I get change back, and with a glance can usually tell if it is an appropriate amount. I know the size and value of the coins here, and can usually do some quick math in my head. “I should be getting back 4 pounds and 30p, and there are 4 pound coins, a 10 p and 20 p piece in my change, so I am good,” I will think (as an example).

Lately, though, I have been bamboozled with getting change back. I glance at the change, think it is the right amount, and only later discover that what I thought was a 10 pence piece is in fact something else entirely. Some mystery coin. This has happened to me twice over the past month. Expecting 10 pence, and getting something else.

As I am well travelled and a worldly sort, I was able to deduce that the coins origin was Hungary, as the coin was labelled with the word “Maygar,” which is Hungarian for Hungary. A quick internet search revealed that what I had instead of two 10 pence pieces totalling 20 Great British pence, was in fact two 10 Forint pieces, equalling approximately 6 pence.

Ripped off! And because I don’t really know who gave me the change in the first place, I can’t go back to the store that passed off this less valuable coinage. There was only one solution.

So, I jetted off to Budapest to try and talk some sense into their central bank – to get them to (a) refund the 14 pence I am short and (b) change the size or shape or colour of their 10 Forint piece so it doesn’t look so much like 10 pence.

Hungarian Flag

Sadly, the Central Bank of Hungary did not see the logic in my explanation, and refused a refund or a countrywide recall and redesign of their coinage.

In between high level meetings with the Central Bankers, I did manage to get some shots of Budapest for your viewing pleasure.

Buda Castle

Alley in old Buda

Britney Spear and Shield

Atilla Street

Buda Castle Hunting Fountain

Buda Castle terrace

Danube River

Danube River and Gresham Palace

How Sharp is My Sword?

Hungarian Cafe

Hungarian Parliament Building through Archway

Matthias Church and Sun

Matthias Church in old Buda

Mythical bird Turul

Water Nymph in Old Buda

Yellow House in Old Buda

Trebant, (in)famous East German cars

Stairs Up to the Old Town

Church on Krisztina at night

Pretty city, though somebody there still owes me 14 pence.