Cambridge

Cam-bridge. The river Cam. Bridge over the River Cam = Cambridge. That’s one way to name a city.

And what a beautiful city it is.

Sam & I headed to Cambridge for a weekend staying with Sue & Phil, who are relatives of mine (so distant, I didn’t actually realise we were related). Where we stayed was a place called Rectory Cottage in Great Chishill, just outside of Cambridge. The house is an amazing 16^th century thatched roof cottage.

We were only there for two days and on the first day we went for a walk around Great Chishill and the neighbouring towns. There were many wheat fields everywhere and I had fun playing in them.

I also got stung by a nettle for the first time. It wasn’t fun.

After that we headed to Saffron Walden, a little market town and wandered round the town. It’s crazy seeing all these old medieval buildings and realising how young New Zealand really is!

It was raining so Phil got his poncho on.

Heading back to Great Chishill, we made our way to the local pub, The Pheasant, which is approximately 30 metres down the road from the house.

The next morning we headed to Cambridge for some touristy fun times. We parked the car and walked through a park and in to town. Cue old buildings and tour groups galore.

I particularly enjoyed this tour group who had matching outfits.

I tried to take a photo of this guy doing an impressive lunge while taking a photo but alas, I was too slow and only caught the end of it.

We explored the streets for a bit, wandering around all the colleges – Queens, King, St Catharine, Trinity… there are 31 in Cambridge! And of course the illustrious Cambridge University, where your exam results are posted (with your name) in the middle of a courtyard for the whole world to see!

The students even played a prank on King Henry VIII and replaced his sceptre with a chair leg!

We hired a punt and went for a leisurely trip down the River Cam. The best part was watching other tourists who’d not bothered to go on a chauffeured punt (Phil was an expert punter) and instead were trying to manouver their own. 

Some were trying to punt from the wrong end of the boat, others just gave up and tried to use the pole like an oar. 

Unfortunately we didn’t see anyone fall in. These guys came close though. 

I even tried my hand at punting. Needless to say, it was a great success. I wish!

We stopped for lunch at an Italian place overlooking the river. Again we got to watch more tourists trying to punt.

Oh and we saw a round church!

Back at the house we had a delicious barbeque and then made our way back to London.