He Said:
We were day trippers to Cambridge today. We had not been there before to really see it, so we started with a hop-on, hop-off bus ride around the city. The bus ride was informative and also took us out to see the American cemetery from WWII just outside Cambridge. The university itself and the city are larger than I thought and it's history is rich and well documented since it was founded starting in 1209 AD. The university is made up of a number of colleges, the number of these built up over time. King Henry VIII founded Trinity College. Issac Newton was a professor of mathematics at Trinity College in the mid 1660's, the tree next to the college is named for him, but not the tree that made him start to think about gravity.
Again, even on a Thursday, the city center was crowded with students and families out for a good time and enjoying the sunny warm weather.
She said:
Our last two
days in London… waaaaa.\
We took the
train from London to Cambridge. (Last
year we took the train from London to Oxford, so it is only right that we give
Cambridge equal play.)
Once we
arrived, we high-tailed it to the Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus stop, for the best deal
in any city. If nothing else, these
buses give you a great overview of a city and allow you to hang back a bit and
get your bearings.
It did not
disappoint.
The day was
warm (it actually ended up being too hot) and the sky was bright blue with
puffy white clouds. A perfect day for
photos, as I’m sure you will agree when you check out R’s handiwork.
A few stops
on, we were heading just outside the city to the village of Mattingly and the
Cambridge American Cemetery. We hopped
off.
This stop
was the highlight of the day for me. The
Cambridge American Cemetery is where around 4000 American soldiers are buried,
casualties of WWll. The was land was
donated by Cambridge University. There
is also a wall inscribed with the names of 5127 missing American serviceman,
most of whom died in the Battle of the Atlantic or the strategic air
bombardment of northwest Europe.
“The Americans
whose names here appear were part of the price that free men, for a second time
this century, have been forced to pay to defend human liberty and rights – all who
shall hereafter live in freedom will be here reminded that to these men and
their comrades we owe a debt to be paid with grateful remembrance of their
sacrifice and with the high resolve that the cause for which they died shall
live eternally.”
For me, nothing
else in Cambridge could beat that.
The grounds
are meticulously maintained and it is such a loving tribute to our serviceman
who helped the Brits.
The rows and
rows of white crosses are reminiscent of Arlington National Cemetery. A chapel on the grounds houses a huge wall relief
that depicts the entire war theater – Americans coming to England and then on
to Europe and North Africa. It is
sobering to see. Really, the World at
War.
Some of the
wreaths and photos that have been laid near the names are so moving – To my
Brother; Dear Husband, I love you still; and a photo of a now-dead
serviceman, in his wedding party, all smiles
and hopeful for the future.
Hopped back
on the bus and rode back into Cambridge proper for a look at the colleges of
Cambridge University.
Cambridge
University started in 1209, but did not admit women until 1809. Shame!
We rode down
King Street, scene of the traditional King Street Run, a typical college kids’
activity that is stupid, so it catches on and becomes a tradition.
At the run’s
beginning, there were 14 pubs in a 2-3 block stretch of King Street. The point of the run was to stop in each pub,
drink a pint, and run to the next pub and do the same. The catch was that you could not relieve
yourself in any way. Run, drink, run,
drink, run drink, etc.
The record
is 14 pts. In 19 minutes!
Now, though,
there are only 5 pubs along King Street, so the King Street Run is really quite
easy (comparably speaking).
We ate a
lazy lunch on a bench in Jesus Green park, watching kids and jugglers and dogs.
We walked
along the River Cam – punts everywhere.
We paid our
money and took our chances on St. John’s College. Not bad.
Good building and statues. A
Bridge of Sighs over the River Cam (pitiful compared to the real one in
Venice). Temps rising. People crowding. Time to get out.
On our way
out of Cambridge, we hit a very vibrant Market in a square – gorgeous vegetables
and fabulous flowers. Colorful candy.
(Plenty of kitsch,
too.)
We were
happy to get back on our train to London, to our great hotel room, and another
yummy supper from Waitrose.
Tomorrow –
Little Venice.
Miles – 4.9
Photos:
On a bus tour of Cambridge
The Cambridge American Cemetery
Cambridge Jesus Green
On the River Cam
St John's College
The bridge of Sighs
Newton's Apple Tree
Trinity College
Cambridge Market
