British Council

Off to the British Council for a book launch by Mark Tully who has been the BBC correspondent in India for many years. Now retired I believe but spending a large part of his time in India. Recently knighted. Met some interesting locals who were there. A very respectable gentleman in a blue and white stripped suit telling us how his grandfather had taken the ship to travel to the UK around the 1900's and then headed up to Cambridge by train. Was greeted by an admission's tutor who chatted to him and pronounced that he was a "smart fellow" and therefore could be granted admittance to Downing College. However the grandfather had other ideas, strolled around Cambridge and thought the pond in Emma was more attractive and went to Emma instead. A far cry from the rigours and tests young people have to go through these days !