I woke up at about 9.00, which isn't exactly very early, but I've been being consistent about it, so it felt good, and also didn't leave mum alone for *too* many hours. And I'd left breakfast out for her, which I think she thought was sweet.
We wanted to look about at some cambridge countryside, so imulsively we decided to go to the Confluence (of the Cam and the Ouse). After the normal argy-bargy about where to park and swearing at the map-reader and people offering advice deliberately late[1].
The landscape was lovely and fenny. It is like just outside cambridge, yet somehow wilder, while still being within half a mile of a pub, as everywhere in england is[2]. And it was very pretty, and we saw lots of birds, flowers, and rusted microwave parts, though none of which I can remember.
We also saw the "Old Engine" which pumps water into the river, keeping the fen from being entirely flooded. A notice board described a network of drainage channels as "working hard to keep the fens drained" which dad found very amusing because they look even more placid than sleeping cats, and not like they're working hard at all.
But apparently the anti-flooding measures were opposed by ludditesque fenlanders, so the roleplaying campaign involving web-footed[3] fenland freedom fighters trying to overthrow the evil empress who wants to drain their fens is more accurate than we supposed; Arse[4] Magica eat your heart out!
[1] Note to mum and dad: Actually, I made this bit up to make it sound more interesting. Map reading does tend to stress us out, but never to the point of swearing, only to occasionally altering tones of voice when saying things like "...as I said." and "We're driving towards a what?" and we always make up within six seconds :)
[2] Apart from Scorton, the village with five churches and no pub.
[3] I forgot to ask if he looked like Mel Gibson. Sonic?
[4] Pun accidental but left in. <-This phrase needs an acronym, since npi is NEVER true.
