1. The Kelvin Building

The first leg of our UniversiTeabreak challenge brought us to the Kelvin Building, which houses the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Print this map and find the Kelvin Building for yourself!

The arse end of the Kelvin Building: it's quite nice

I don't know anything about physics or astronomy.  One time, I thought the sun was the moon (it was a really cloudy day).  I can't wire a plug.  I can find Orion's belt though.  And Brian Cox is sound.

The Kelvin Building is difficult to navigate.  Luckily, we had a guide: Mr Tom Deas.  Mr Deas works in the Kelvin Building full-time, making ice cream and running across rivers of cornflour.  He's a regular user of the vendies: "There are two machines in this building," he told us, with some authority.

Mr Deas: the world authority on chocolate machines in the Kelvin Building

The first machine is located in the main foyer (on the left as you go in), beside a drinks machine (handy if you're in the mood for a can of fizzy juice rather than tea):

Machine 1: worth a punt

Location: 5/5 – very easy to find, and beside a door for quick entry/exit

Stockage: 3.5/5 – good, a few missing rows though

Diversity: 3.5/5 – good

Value for money: 5/5 – 40p for a KKCC, can’t argue with that

Comments: I bought a Kit Kat chunky caramel.  Actually, I bought a Twix first, by accident.  I gave it to Mr Deas and Yellow Laces.  The KKCC was in good condition and a pleasant temperature.

Total score: 17/20

The second machine is on the 5th floor, in the staff room.  It's a bit of a trek.  I don't think we would have found it without Mr Deas.  We passed this on the way:

Aren't physicists funny?

Chortle chortle!  Anyway, here's the second machine:

Machine 2: a bit of a (Star?) trek.  I'm funny too.

Location: 1/5 - very difficult to find unless you’re in the know.  And involves ascending a moderate number of stairs.  I’ll probably never be back.  The staff room was really nice but everyone stared at us as we went in.  Physicists are not accustomed to outsiders.

Stockage: 4/5 – one of the best stocked machines we’ve ever seen (probably because it’s so hard to find)

Diversity: 4/5 – excellent, both mint and original Aeros represented; Lion bars; all varieties of Kit Kat; even shortbread (positioned between the four-fingered KitKat and the Yorkie, sorry for the flash reflection)

Value for money: 5/5 – same price as the first machine

Comments: Pretty much the same as the other vending machine but in an awkward location.  If you want to work up a sweat or hone your orienteering skills, this vendie’s the one for you. 

Total score: 14/20

This concludes our review.  As you can tell, we were very impressed with what the Kelvin Building had to offer.  I would strongly recommend a visit there on your next tea break.  

Until next time....