Cambridge

Hi all!

Today Blake dropped me off at the station on his way to work and I caught the train for half an hour into Cambridge! 

Cambridge is a beautiful town full of universities, the first of which was established here in 1284. Every time I come to Europe/the UK it takes me a little while to get used to how old their history is. Absolutely crazy to think a university existed in 1284! 

My friend James from my Asia tour went to Downing College here and graduated two years ago, but still has an alumni card. He kindly offered to get the train in from London today to show me around and get me into all the colleges free of charge! We were so fortunate - it was a stunning sunny day with beautiful blue skies. We had a fantastic day checking out all the colleges. 

To start the day off I had an hour to kill alone so went for a wander and went into the Round Church, one of only four such structures in England which had a really nice interior and a display about the history of Cambridge. Then I went and met James out the front of his university - Downing. And so began out day choc full of universities!!!

Cambridge university comprises 31 colleges, but not all of them are open to the public. However due to James' alumni card we got in free to all of them (I would have spent $50+ otherwise!), we got to access some areas the public don't and we got to go to some of them outside opening hours!! Our first stop was Downing, James pointed out where he lived, gave me a quick tour and even ran into some people he knew. As with all of the colleges here, the architecture was really beautiful. Some of the buildings are really old and some were made not too long ago but made to look old and fit in. Coming here today makes me wish I had done a university exchange - Monash is hideous in comparison! But it was always difficult due to teaching placements over here not being recognised in my degree. But I'm here now and that's the important thing!! Upon exiting Downing we walked past the laboratory that Watson and Crick discovered the DNA double helix in and then past the pub in which they announced this discovery!

Our next stop was King's College and its stunning Chapel. I had seen it before in various paintings and pictures, but the real life version was even more spectacular. We walked around for quite a while and enjoyed the interior and a display about the history and some past royals. I am really eager to get to learn the history about past kings etc. Last time I was here I had mum with me, she knows all about that and taught me a lot. Going to have to do some reading this time I think! The chapel had an 80m long fan vaulted ceiling. The chapel was begun in 1446 by Henry VI and finished by Henry VIII around 1516. 

After this we went for a walk around 'The Backs'. This is a garden area behind a number of the colleges where people go punting on the Cam River. We stood and watched people going punting for a while but decided against it ourselves because there were only two of us and it was pretty pricey! Might have a go in the summer somewhere else I think. 

Next we walked through the much smaller Clare College (how rude - incorrect spelling!) and then onto Trinity College. This is the largest of Cambridge's colleges which was founded by Henry VIII. Here we had a look in the beautiful Wren library where we got to see original manuscripts for 'Winnie the Pooh' by AA Milne and the first copy of Isaac Newton's 'Principia Mathematica'. These two along with Francis Bacon, Prince Charles and many other famous people attended here including nine British prime ministers and 32 Nobel prize winners - amazing!

Next up we walked through St John's College and saw its Bridge of Sighs, then went on to Corpus Christi and saw the Corpus Clock, which uses LED lights on its 24 carat gold face to display the time. However the time on it is only accurate every five minutes! Its creator said that this was to reflect life's irregularity. 

Then we had a baguette each for lunch and next headed to Queen's College and saw the Mathematical Bridge which was rumoured to have originally been made with no bolts or anything. But when it was taken apart to discover how this was done, no one could figure out how to put it back together. So guess what it's held together with now? Bolts! Then we went to Peterhouse, the oldest and smallest college. Then we went to Pembroke and Emmanual colleges, after which we went to the Fitzwilliam Museum. Here we spent a good hour or two looking at various artefacts and paintings. At this point we were well in need of a coffee and a rest, so we did just that!!

After re-energising, we next visited Christ's and Jesus Colleges. I am so grateful to have seen so many gorgeous courtyards, buildings and colleges in general today!

We went and had a drink at the pub and then went to a restaurant called 'Strada' for dinner. Then James walked me to the station and I went and met Jo! I've had such a fantastic day but I sure will sleep well tonight! I am very much looking forward to a chilled out day in and around Jo and Blake's place tomorrow!

Love to all

Claire

Xoxox