We were up early this morning so that Adam could open his birthday presents before school - and school started at 7.30 am today with an indoor hockey session. As it happens we were nearly made late by a big fire at The University Arms Hotel. It's something of a Cambridge institution with a fabulous position overlooking Parker's Piece. The road outside was closed and I had to go the wrong way around by the bus station - luckily the bus-driver who was deliberately heading straight for me spotted the policemen standing at the end of the road behind me and decided to move over and stop being a complete arse (sorry). My little readers were all off due to the teachers' strike so I had a leisurely morning to bake cake before I remembered that the house is filthy and got the Hoover out.
Three GT:
1. The birthday boy
2. Cake
3. The University Arms needed a refurb.
You have made cake then Judith...a candidate for GBBO perhaps!!! I hope you have had a suitably festive birthday tea & many happy returns to the birthday boy!!!
Happy birthday to Adam and a fabulous looking cake. Hope the University Arms is not too badly damaged. Spent many a happy hour playing cricket on Parker's Piece looking at that wonderful building.
@malc It was well ablaze in the corner nearest the cricket pitch but they seemed to get it under control. I haven't been over for a look but I think interior damage must be extensive - hopefully the structure is ok.
@jo13 it's all in the topping - Green and Black's white cooking chocolate (better than the non-cooking version), Philadelphia cheese, double cream - you could spread that on anything and it would taste good!
Great shot - happy birthday to him!
btw - My son is 17 too... Didn't realise you are in Cambridge. Our school was open today so no baking and a grubby house for us :}
The cake looks wonderful and the lighting is superb. Happy birthday Adam. I'm glad the cake came before the housework - definitely got your priorities right!
Congrats! Looks like a great cake. Like the black background too. Nicely photographed! :)
I have a question now that i see you're from Cambridge: our son Pieter, 21 years old, just started law in Cambridge (St. Catherine's college). We want to visit him in a couple of weeks. Do you perhaps know a nice place for my husband, our 15 year old daughter, and me to stay in? Doesn't have to be too expensive and we like the 'typical English' atmosphere over a modern type of hotel/B&B ;) I'm hoping you could recommend something :) ?
@stimuloog Oooh that's tricky! Cambridge can be very expensive and the 'typical English' hotel I would have recommended has just had a big fire so that's no good!! Do you want to stay close to the city centre or would a nearby village be OK? My parents (when they don't stay with me) like The Gonville Hotel but I can't find a room for three on the website - you could call them. There is a small homely B&B on our road called Archway House that you could also look at. I will give it some more thought - there are other options just out of town and the less expensive places in town are very new and not on scenic streets but they are quite convenient for getting to the right places. Sometimes the colleges have guest rooms too that your son would be able to book. If you see a place and want to ask me if it's OK first then go ahead!!
Happy Birthday Adam. :)
btw - My son is 17 too... Didn't realise you are in Cambridge. Our school was open today so no baking and a grubby house for us :}
I have a question now that i see you're from Cambridge: our son Pieter, 21 years old, just started law in Cambridge (St. Catherine's college). We want to visit him in a couple of weeks. Do you perhaps know a nice place for my husband, our 15 year old daughter, and me to stay in? Doesn't have to be too expensive and we like the 'typical English' atmosphere over a modern type of hotel/B&B ;) I'm hoping you could recommend something :) ?