{"id":1289,"date":"2025-03-31T03:41:35","date_gmt":"2025-03-30T16:41:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/?p=1289"},"modified":"2025-12-13T10:54:47","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T23:54:47","slug":"sat-29-may-train-to-cambridge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/2025\/03\/31\/sat-29-may-train-to-cambridge\/","title":{"rendered":"Sat 29 May &#8211; Train to Cambridge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In the morning, as we walk along the back lane, steam puffs out of bathroom vents in the chill air and a black cat perches on an old stone wall.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/BlackCat-rotated.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/BlackCat-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/BlackCat-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/BlackCat-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/BlackCat-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/BlackCat-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/BlackCat-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/BlackCat-990x743.jpg 990w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/BlackCat-rotated.jpg 2034w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Wooden toys on the kerb indicate market day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WoodenToys-rotated.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WoodenToys-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WoodenToys-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WoodenToys-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WoodenToys-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WoodenToys-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WoodenToys-990x1320.jpg 990w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WoodenToys-rotated.jpg 1526w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As we sit down to breakfast the barista catches my eye, \u201cw\u2019 ar\u2019 y\u2019 trinkin\u2019 sar?\u201d with a Dublin accent that could just as easily say \u201ctap\u2019 o\u2019 th\u2019 marning t\u2019 ye\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MorningBarista-rotated.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MorningBarista-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MorningBarista-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MorningBarista-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MorningBarista-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MorningBarista-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MorningBarista-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MorningBarista-990x743.jpg 990w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MorningBarista-rotated.jpg 2034w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I chat to Dad about ways to fix his computer. Conversation turns to updating his business website.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Morning walk through the Saturday markets, second hand book stalls, tie dye tshirts and toys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Markets-rotated.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Markets-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1293\" srcset=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Markets-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Markets-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Markets-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Markets-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Markets-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Markets-990x743.jpg 990w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Markets-rotated.jpg 2034w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A town cryer calls out, public meeting times for local community groups.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TownCryer-rotated.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TownCryer-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1294\" srcset=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TownCryer-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TownCryer-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TownCryer-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TownCryer-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TownCryer-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TownCryer-990x743.jpg 990w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TownCryer-rotated.jpg 2034w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A street band kicks up a jaunty tune. <br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"StreetBand\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BVguWgFn8IM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Dad takes me back to Crewkerne station. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A train flies back to Waterloo at what feels like speeds comfortably over 100km\/h. (I\u2019m told this line can hit 160km\/h.) This driver is not holding back.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the Underground at Russell Square the intercom announces a fire at Kings Cross prevents the train from stopping there. Everyone on the train shrugs and gets off. The only option is to walk 800m to the next station. At this point I\u2019m glad I brought at suitcase with wheels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Halfway to Kings Cross we see a big group of suitcase-walkers coming the other way.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkingToKingsCrossStation-rotated.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkingToKingsCrossStation-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkingToKingsCrossStation-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkingToKingsCrossStation-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkingToKingsCrossStation-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkingToKingsCrossStation-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkingToKingsCrossStation-990x1320.jpg 990w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkingToKingsCrossStation-rotated.jpg 1526w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The mix of accents on the train include: loose-tongue London, northern Toff, received English, some Birmingham and some Novocastrian.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s difficult to describe an analogue for Cambridge Station &#8211; Redfern perhaps &#8211; but not really. It is big in scale, and yet small in intimacy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coming into Cambridge station and walking out in to the main street, it shouts \u201cwe\u2019re here to solve concrete problems and do business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/CambridgeDoBusiness-rotated.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/CambridgeDoBusiness-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/CambridgeDoBusiness-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/CambridgeDoBusiness-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/CambridgeDoBusiness-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/CambridgeDoBusiness-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/CambridgeDoBusiness-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/CambridgeDoBusiness-990x743.jpg 990w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/CambridgeDoBusiness-rotated.jpg 2034w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The younger 20s people here are completely multicultural, but I get a sense that the teaching staff are largely English. There are all nations of undergraduates in the Chinese restaurants, young couples pushing prams, and the pubs seem filled with 30s+ Anglo people.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkToFlat-rotated.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkToFlat-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1302\" srcset=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkToFlat-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkToFlat-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkToFlat-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkToFlat-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkToFlat-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkToFlat-990x743.jpg 990w, https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/WalkToFlat-rotated.jpg 2034w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I drag my suitcase down small streets of two story houses with pubs, Afghan restaurants, pretend Coop supermarkets that sell Aldi goods, noodle houses.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the morning, as we walk along the back lane, steam puffs out of bathroom vents in the chill air and a black cat perches on an old stone wall.&nbsp; Wooden toys on the kerb indicate market day.&nbsp; As we &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/2025\/03\/31\/sat-29-may-train-to-cambridge\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1289","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1289"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1289\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1303,"href":"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1289\/revisions\/1303"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/juliangamble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}