Just like at home, Saturdays is the time for errands. We needed to go to Barclays (the bank of choice for the Institute) and on the way over stopped at one of the colleges just to have a look. This college, Gonville & Caius (that's pronounced "Keyes" and I have no idea why) is of particular interest to statisticians because the dining hall has a stained glass window commemorating R.A. Fisher who was prominent in the early development of the discipline. The window (the one with the colorful squares) is an example of a Latin Square Design which is used in the design of experiments. Fisher worked primarily in agricultural experiments like trying to determine optimal fertilizer regimens. We were given an unscheduled tour of the dining hall by a porter of the college. These men (we haven't see any women in this role) serve as gatekeepers to the colleges so it's best to keep on friendly terms with them.
(Tom with graduate students)
Later in the afternoon we met with Tom's graduate students and colleague who are all here for the workshop beginning on Monday. After walking around Cambridge and seeing some of the colleges that were open, we had dinner at a local pub, the Eagle. There's a bit of history to go along with the food: Watson and Crick used to meet at this pub on a daily basis to talk about their work on DNA; there is plaque commemorating their table. We ate typical pub fare: fish & chips with cool (not warm but also not cold) beer. The fish & chips were served with "mushy peas." The menu's description, not mine; but they were as unappetizing as it sounds.
Note to inquiring minds wondering about British fashions. We have walked past several groups attending weddings and although we saw people fashionably dressed we have yet to see any "fascinators."
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