Phew, got through another Black Friday. Luckily Tesco wasn’t in my vicinity so instead I was unwillingly drifted down the river of Cambridge’s bargain hunters into John Lewis.
So it has begun! I have to admit I preferred the idea of a red coated old man making his list and delivering the presents quicker then Fed-Ex, even if he did have to check the list twice. But I’m not 24 anymore so that fantasy has dissolved quicker than a Blackcurrant Lemsip sachet in water.
Luckily we are blessed with many local independent gift shops in our Charles Dickensesque city of Cambridge. This is not to mention our famous market square littered with many somethings old, somethings new, somethings borrow… No, not borrowed! You have to pay for them!
Maybe you prefer the more traditional approach to presents? Well just off the market square you have that bundle of cuteness shop, Ark. Screw I-Pods, why not treat your family to a portable vinyl player? Check this out, the suitcase carrier is a speaker… Shut the front dwooorrr! I know right! They also supply many nu-vintage DIY toys, fluffy animals, magic tricks and a fantastic festive selection of Christmas decorations without the tackiness you’ll see in your local Wetherspoons. There are not many stores that instantly make you feel the warmth that this magical season has to offer with the friendly staff to go along with it. Something for all the family! (Including that weird neighbour who twitches the curtains when you get home.) Treat yourselves this year my friends to something that little bit different.
Oh yeh and just when you thought your tail-bone had recovered from last year the ice skating rink is back in town. Cambridge has once again brought the North Pole to Parkers Piece, with all of the trimmings that you didn’t receive last year. Dose your children up with a shot of lucozade and get them to go absolutely mental on the Penguin Dodgems, The Helter Skelter and Bungee Trampolines. They’ll soon be giving you the peaceful night’s sleep for you to re-visit Home Alone again on TV with your partner.
“You guys give up? Or are you thirsty for more?”
Or hungry should I say? All of your FoodPark favourites surround the site with delicious goodies for you to sneak off to whilst nan’s on the carousel. Sticky chicken wings by Buffalo Joes, cutesy rum and raison mini Christmas Puds by Warming Your Cockles Coffee Company and of course our Citroen sizzling burgers by Steak & Honour. Check the North Pole’s website thingy for more info and ways to book a Christmas experience not to be missed!
Oh Steak & Honour, your burgers brightly frying. These cheeky chappies also made their regular appearance at Hot Numbers gig night on Friday Night.
“What, they do music? Wait, in the night time? But I thought…?”
No! Shhhhhh… quiet now. This Mill Road beauty has much more to offer than their warming coffees and local artwork. Bring your loved ones, your acquaintances and family members (no friggin john lewis penguins) to their fantabulous weekly music events where you can be surrounded by some of the most friendly, musically focused people in the city. Hey you can also purchase some alcoholic bottled grapes for a TGIF tipple. Seats receive bums quite quickly so get there early or don’t and join someone else’s table for a good ole musical natter. Social bonding… we can do it people!
I managed to visit this Hot establishment last Friday to experience the oh-so tranquil chuuunes of Sir David Youngs. His fast fingers of fury created a sound on the guitar which when I closed my ears came from a thousand guitars. But that’s not tranquil? I hear you ask? Oh you just wait, he also brought out a halo steel hand pan which requires so much rhythm, skill and musical talent. David pulled off these attributes with a certain professional calmness, if you were there you would have been transfixed. Next time my friends… next time.
I also see Christmas as a time where old faces start to drift back from their distant lands to once more be reunited in their town they call home. If Cambridge is this town why not celebrate by reminding them about how beautiful The River Cam can be at this time of year. Our cosy Slankets and rich hot chocolates are our little Christmas gift to you if you book onto our Winter Warmer Tours. Failing that, if you are already wayyy to snuggled up on your sofa, do some Christmas Shopping. You don’t have to look far for the perfect gift, buy your visiting family members a nice Gift Voucher for our river tours including the option of adding a picnic.
Even our company director Simon has got a jingle in his step and glitter on his hands as he carefully crafts our a new Let’s Go Christmas Sign. Look out for it near the river… “Ho, Ho, Ho”. Are you able to spot it?
