Walkers

Thursday, December 4th., Comarques, Thorpe-le-Soken.

On Tuesday Arthur L. Humphreys came up to lunch, and to inspect my books with a view to a catalogue. he is a bookseller who also publishes books on an occasional basis. He has been one of the proprietors of Hatchards since about 1890. He told us how he had walked from London to Lands End, and from London to Edinburgh, at 37 miles a day. He didn't say why.

We took him to Landermere, Kirby-le-Soken, Walton and Frinton. He seemed determined to find out about the history of Comarques. Often in France but incapable of speaking French with any fluency. He said that he thought the novels of today immensely superior to those of 20 years ago. He said that at Christmas, numbers of people made up their minds to buy "Whitaker" and one other book. The other book might be a volume of devotional verse. He said that novels more and more dominated the book market, which is of some comfort to me.

Cambridge University Botanical Garden

Wednesday and today we were in Cambridge and its environs. Students in the streets and punting on the river even though it was very cold. We strolled about the Botanical Garden spending most of our time in the glasshouses which were warm. Each is devoted to a different climatic area and maintained at the appropriate temperature and humidity. Very interesting.

Fitzwilliam Museum

Also visited the nearby Fitzwilliam Museum, widely regarded as the finest small museum in Europe. I can see why. Great variety of exhibited material including artworks. Excellent collection of ceramics. I could have spent the day browsing but time was short. Sufficient for an impression only. Dined at Madingley Hall. This morning we had the opportunity to visit an area of original fenland. Rather bleak at this time of year but good to see how the majority of the east of the country must have been pre-Romans. Lot of water fowl. Good to stretch the legs though muddy underfoot.