A Mini Adventure

Here's the tale of how three writers from far flung parts of the world came to meet on a beautifully warm and sunny day in the vibrant city of Cambridge. They met originally in the virtual world as a result of an online writing community called 'My 500 words'. Online, they'd shared, encouraged, challenged and enjoyed each other's virtual company and so intrigued and curious, they decided to take a risk and make it real. And that's how two women from California - one from the North and one from the South (no wicked witch references intended here of course!) and one from a small market town in Cheshire came to have a mini adventure.

They ate and drank at Bill's in a quaint quiet street away from the main crowds and they talked writerly stuff and about life and shared their stories - the stories that had shaped them and made them the writers and people they are today. They talked and talked and shared their wisdom and their truth over flatbreads and mochas and even more bacon!

Feeling comfortable with each other, whimsical and fuelled by the warmth of the sun and how good life could be, they strolled through the crowds of people, and made their way to the water to punt. Well, not that they were going to punt (they weren't feeling quite that adventurous). They found a zestful and energy-filled young man who once his palm was crossed with silver was more than happy to navigate his way through the dodgem-car like filled river. He regaled them with tales of Cambridge colleges, student antics, a woman named the Black Widow who'd carelessly managed to lose three husbands and a very sad tale about a war hero forced to suicide because of his sexual preferences.

The three woman sat back in the punt, listening to yet more stories and felt the joy of random connections. Ordinarily they should never have met, ordinarily their lives would not have crossed and yet they did and this wonderful afternoon was a result of that connection.

They finished their meet up sipping dark and stormies (is that a word? Just go with it please), local beer and thirst quenching sparking water on a roof top terrace overlooking the spires and rooftops of Cambridge. They did not know if they would meet again. Perhaps, perhaps not. It didn't matter because they had shared time together, connected and had a mini adventure and that was enough.

And here are some pictures in case you like the visual as well as the written.

My mini adventure companions Roslynn and Tonia



Our zestful and energy-filled Punt Expert - Kieran



A Cambridge building no doubt of significance




Punting acquaintances sharing our journey



Another significant building - I guess I wasn't paying much attention


An idyllic afternoon



My arty shot or in other words a swan out of focus




Going under the mathematical bridge




Tonia really getting into the swing of things


One final significant Cambridge building for those who like that sort of thing



Comments

  1. Oh, Angela! This was fun...especially loved your lack of names for architectural landmarks...I 'm the same way! And your artful shot of the swan!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks. I know I should probably pay more attention to these historical facts, but they simply seem to wash over me. I'm much more interested in the people stuff than the concrete stuff no matter how old it is. It really was a fun day and we did think about others in the community and wish that they could have joined us.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Angela, it was so great to hear your view of your mini-adventure. It is nice to know that someone else has out of focus shots and doesn't remember names of "significant" buildings. Great post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Stella, thanks for stopping by. Don't think I'll ever make it as a travel blogger. I'm more interested if the building has a great story attached, then I tend to listen. Have a great day.

      Delete
  4. What a wonderful day and wonderful telling of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for taking the time out to read and comment. We did have a wonderful time and some lovely memories to hold on to. Have a great day Deb.

      Delete
  5. Thanks for virtually inviting us on your punt. Loved hearing you got to meet face to face with these two. So glad you all had a good time.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Anne, thanks for reading the post and taking the time to comment. Wish you could have been with us although the whole of the My 500 words community may have required more than one punt. LOL. Face to face is brilliant, but I also think we all do pretty well with supporting and encourging each other in the virtual world too. It's a great community to be part of. See you there again soon. I'll put the kettle on for tea.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I keep coming back to read this and look at the pics. I find new things each time. Love it! Loved the experience, love your account of it, love your writerly ways. And love the artful swan pic!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ros. It was a great day. When I need a boost I read your post. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy. And yes you can't beat an out of focus, almost out of shot artful swan!

      Delete
  8. Hey, Tonia! I just realized she called us mini! Hahahahahahaha!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You visiting again Ros. Of course you're welcome any time. I like to come back here and remember our day together too. Such fun!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts