Tag Archives: Cambridge

Medicine as a mature student at the University of Cambridge (Rousse)

Aged 25, and after several exam attempts, I was finally admitted to the University of Cambridge as a medical student. My mother and sister S came with me to Cambridge on my first day to help me settle in. They … Continue reading

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Identifying elite US and UK universities (Rousse)

I told a gaggle of American students that everything that I had ever learnt about elite US universities came from watching films. They were impressed that this ‘strategy’ of mine was so successful. I then asked them if they could … Continue reading

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Medieval tapestries in Cambridge (Rousse)

I came across KS in Cambridge, keen to see the medieval tapestries that I had catalogued. I showed her into the exhibition. I didn’t dare ask why she wasn’t at home caring for her demented husband.

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Duchess of Cambridge travels incognito by public transport to Norwich (Rousse)

My new best friend the Duchess of Cambridge and I travelled by bus and train to Norwich. My companion blended in well: none of the other passengers spotted royalty in their midst. When we diverted via Bristol, I offered to … Continue reading

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Duke and Duchess of Cambridge play Settlers of Catan (Rousse)

I laid out the board for a game of Settlers of Catan with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and related to Prince William the details of a memorable day two decades earlier. ‘Due to summer flooding, we had to … Continue reading

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Royal family lookalike con (Rousse)

The excitement was raw: every single one of us would have 30 minutes or so to chat with a royal couple! My friend found out first that hers was the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Mine was Diana, Princess of … Continue reading

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Stephen Fry’s bathroom (Rousse)

Stephen Fry’s old bathroom was a place of pilgrimage. I borrowed a bright yellow-striped swimsuit from my cousin DT and plunged into the water. As I relaxed into the bath I noticed the messages that Hugh Laurie had scratched into … Continue reading

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Val McDermid in hidden class act (Rousse)

Val McDermid presented as an invited guest speaker to my undergraduate class. Unfortunately the students found it difficult to see her, hidden behind the stack of tables and chairs at the back of the classroom. I could have done with … Continue reading

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Prince George’s part-time passion and a romantic near-miss (Rousse)

Prince George of Cambridge had 5 minutes before his next royal appointment to open a new hospital ward. He chose to spend it stroking my upper torso. Afterwards I almost climbed into bed with my cousin NA. Fortunately I saw … Continue reading

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Best friends of joker William and Kate (Rousse)

Since our appointment as ‘best friends’ to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge we were now expected to behave with decorum at all times. Prince William was such a joker that we struggled to keep our cool when we accompanied … Continue reading

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