June 1, A Day in Cambridge

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