Random Writings

So, the PhD’s been going for a month, what have I learned?

• Freshers’ Week as a postgrad living in a B&B is dull as ditchwater – you barely see anyone in the evenings.
• Access to journals online when you’re away from your University is patchy. Some work with the marvellous ATHENS system, but others just refuse to work off-campus(IEEE Xplore, I’m looking at you)
• Cambridge University Library will let you use its computers/wifi to gain access to electronic journals
• It takes two hours to get to work by bus from Waterbeach, mostly because of the huge queue for the A14
• Cycling to work is good, and takes about 45 minutes
• Cycling home from work in the rain results in being covered in fine grit from the towpath
• It takes ages to get an office at BAS – I still haven’t got one of my own yet!
• BAS kindly bought me a new laptop to work on. Woo!
• The domestic battery on Innocenti is even more knackered than I’d thought.
• The battery selector switch on Innocenti actually parallels the two batteries in all positions other than “off”
• The new pumpout facility in Cambridge now costs £3 – it was free before the refurbishment
• The coal stove can actually heat the boat effectively, but the chimney doesn’t draw very well because it’s too short and too narrow.
• Rowing eights sometimes arrive at Bottisham Lock at 8am, just as I’m leaving to go to work

I’m getting there, slowly!

This entry was posted on Monday, October 29th, 2007 at 9:48 pm and is filed under Narrowboat, PhD.