CAMBRIDGE – a town like no other

On this trip my lovelies, Dr Chill’s contact with head office concerning the weather appeared to go unheeded! It was chilly and wet for most of the trip. Nevertheless we all set off in cheerful mood despite the hour of 7.30 on the morning of Saturday 8 May 2010.

Most of the journey was on motorways, and on leaving Bristol we skirted the slopes of the Cotswolds, and then Wessex Down, where there were hills close to the motorway and onward to Reading services for a 10-minute convenience stop. Then onward to the northern end of the M25, turning north to Cambridge. As we travelled near Cambridge you may have noticed that the landscape was now very flat. Many large fields were covered in yellow carpets of seed oil rape. We were now in the eastern part of England that is called East Anglia.

After about three and a half hours of travelling we arrived at Cambridge. The first part of the fun was queuing up outside a local public house in order to use their washroom facilities. Then we joined another queue for that most academic of English of leisure called punting. Most of you mastered the punting skill very quickly and enjoyed the River Cam sailing past the rear ends of the colleges. This stretch of Cambridge is called ‘The Backs’. Well done!! We were very proud of all our BISC students.

Following a short lunch break it was off for a guided tour of the old Cambridge town. We met outside the entrance to King’s College and were divided into groups of 16 to 17. The tour included a visit to St John’s College. The gatehouse is decorated with the coat of arms of the Duchess of Beaufort who was the financial founder of the College. There is a West Country connection here in that the present Duke and Duchess of Beaufort’s estate is just north of Bristol. For those on the previous Cotswolds trip we went passed the Beaufort estate. Every year during the Easter period famous horse trials take place!

Back to Cambridge, did you notice the round church? Why is it round? Was it to stop students in medieval times from hiding in the corners when the collection was being taken? The market was very interesting as this was the original medieval site of Cambridge, and close to the original bridge over the River Cam. ‘Cam bridge’ that is how Cambridge got its name. After the guided tour had finished Dr Chill with two international students made it to ‘Aunties Tea Rooms’ that was a pleasing experience. While it was raining and cold outside, we all slurped our hot chocolate, and were joined by Jacqueline.

Dr Chill was touched by the kindness of one of our students who insisted that I share her umbrella as we made our way back to the coach pickup point. We all made it on time, just! The sun began to shine as we left Cambridge and travelled back to Bristol. I think 18 nationalities were represented on the trip, which was livened up by a quiz – then sleep! We had a second convenience stop at Reading Services and we were home by 9.30pm.

All in all a wonderful trip despite the weather. It was a wonderful experience for Dr Chill who experienced the warm friendliness of all of you lovely people. The weather may have been wet and chilly, but your company compensated for this.

This is Dr Chill signing off until next time.

BRISTOL 10K RUN – BISC was there!

Sunday 9 May 2010 was chilly but dry and probably the perfect setting to run 10k through the streets of Bristol. Dr Chill and the BISC supporters positioned themselves opposite the Hippodrome with a BISC banner for all to see, and waited for our 3 BISC runners to pass, hoping we could catch a glimpse of them to cheer them along.

The crowds were overwhelming and the runners seemed to be of all ages and abilities. There were experienced runners and amateur runners as well as part-time soldiers (Territorial Army) in their camouflage clothing, carrying large rucksacks and jogging in formation. Other runners were dressed in the most amazing costumes. Scooby Doo, Cinderella, Cowboys on their horses, Lobsters, and many other characters brought colour to the day.

At 10.30 am the BISC cheerleaders were joined by student A who had just left her church service and we stood in the cold cheering on the brave runners. Jacqueline was across the road, taking photographs of the event, some of which are included with this Blog. Big cheers and clapping occurred when three or four disabled runners went by, including one in a wheelchair.

After the race we strolled back to BISC where we had a small reception laid on for our runners, who were wearing medals to prove that they had completed the 10k run. All in all a good morning especially when you were a spectator rather than a runner! Yes! Despite the rumours circulating around BISC, Dr Chill did not participate in the race. Maybe next year! Hope to see you again at BISC in the not too distant future.

Don’t forget the BISC team will support you throughout the exams. Join us for exam lunches, starting Monday 17 May – Friday 4 June (excluding bank holiday, 31 May). Lunch will be served every day from 1-2pm. Come and put your feet up, chill out, have a chat, while enjoying lunch and a mug of tea or coffee. The BISC team have previously had examinations experience, so we understand how you feel!

Well this is Dr Chill signing off in order to start his training for next year’s 10k run.

Ice Skating – and a Meal to Boot

The evening began with a meal at BISC that was excellent. The vegetarian dish was out of this world. There was also a superb chicken-honey dish and an ‘o so delicious’ pudding. BISC had a visitation from E, a doctoral student originally from Russia who had just arrived in Bristol that day. She simply followed the noise and the lovely atmosphere and landed up in the BISC lounge. We all made her welcome. E, even commented that she had never experienced such a friendly and warm place.

After the meal we all trekked down to the Ice Rink where we performed our varying displays of the art of ice-skating. It was great fun and a good break after constantly concentrating on our studies. Dr Chill and a few others, who stayed behind to clear up and make BISC ready for the following week, noticed no broken bones or dislocated joints after the ice-skating event, which was excellent as Dr Chill is also the BISC First Aid officer and he would not have enjoyed a night at the ER after such a lovely evening.

Well, we look forward to seeing you again at BISC during the next few weeks. Remember that as part of the Summer Program BISC will provide exam lunches (see the program or website for exact dates). BISC will be open to you during this time for lunch and reflection or advice if you require a friendly smiling face to talk to.

Regards and best wishes in this busy academic time.
Dr Chill

PHOTOS TO COME

A JAPANESE EVENING to remember

Personally I found the Japanese evening held on 28 April 2010 a very culturally stimulating event. The Bristol University Japanese Society excelled themselves. The range of experiences from Japanese food to a Japanese fashion show was outstanding. The lady arranging the women’s fashion display, where she assisted dressing women guests in traditional Japanese Kimono, was amazing! I saw Ruth of BISC transformed as she was adorned in a white Japanese Kimono.

The Japanese calligraphy being undertaken by all was very enjoyable but perhaps a bit messy! I got ink all over my hands. It was like being at school again! I preferred the kitchen and Japanese food and was shown how to cook noodles to perfection. It was perhaps the first time in the history of BISC that Dr Chill was seen wearing a hair net. Perhaps this should be seen as a complement as he has so little hair. A medical student who came from West Malaysia kindly supervised my cooking of noodles. Funny, I didn’t know that West Malaysia was in Japan!! However the noodles and the sushi (taught by an experienced sushi chef) were excellent. Dr Chill spent the remainder of the evening hanging around the kitchen in case there were some spare noodles going.

All in all this was an excellent evening and culturally pleasing. Let’s hear it for the Japanese Society and please visit us again.

Keep smiling, and remember BISC is there for you especially during the exam period.

Regards from your own Dr Chill