Punts are like buses...

... there's never any when you need one and then 53 turn up at once. A Cambridge phenomenon - a nautical taxi rank. These are at the main Scudamores boatyard of an early evening when most tourists have gone to their hotels leaving the punts ready for the morrow's trips. But as you can see here, there are plenty of takers for part II of the punting day - the romantic journey on the sleek, sun-kissed Cam through the watermeadows over to Grantchester followed by the moonlit return. It's a trip that's bound to kindle / re-kindle the flame of ardour. Mind you, memory fades over time. And it's been a long time...

So, I got my timings wrong and I'm not leaving til this evening... So, I say again - have a fun weekend!

No Beating About It.

Cambridge is a largely beautiful place but discord is healthy and as I passed this today I thought there was something about it. Stencil graffiti is becoming more and more prevalent in the city and I think they could become an occasional series in this blog. There's a simplistic relevance to them that belies the effort and strength of view of the protagonist. For instance, I'm sure there's a message here somewhere...

Am off to Malta for a few days so no posts 'til Tuesday I'm afraid. Have a great weekend!

Building The World of Tomorrow.

I like the clouds in this one. They mirror my feeling of foreboding when it comes to the regeneration of our city centre. In this case it's the creation of the "Grand Arcade" - in other words a cookie-cutter template-mall with the same shops as in every other city centre in the UK, if not the western world; the independents having been priced out. Here's to repetitive mediocrity! I don't know why I should be concerned - previous projects by our council include the nearby Petty Cury which, until the 60's looked like this and is now delightfully improved to this. Yum. Now, where are my loyalty cards?

Almost Famous.

Ok, so it's one of the most photographed buildings in the UK but what Cambridge photoblog would be complete without a shot of King's College chapel? It is truly stunning from every angle. The foundation stone of the chapel was laid by Henry VI in 1446 but it wasn't finished until the reign (and death) of Henry VIII in 1547. Just in time for me to take this shot.

Bullets Over Doorway

This shows the wall of Trinity College's Whewell's Court built 1859 - 1869 facing you as you walk up to the end of Jesus Lane. Or scream along it in a German fighter plane releasing a hail of bullets before pulling up and heading off back home as one frustrated Luftwaffe pilot did in WWII. The results are still visible as you can see. The bicycle's injuries weren't fatal I understand...

Jack's Back! Not quite...

I know Cambridge is on a River. Famously so. But I was unprepared to find pirates marauding on Sheeps' Green, a popular larking-around-by-the-river spot, on a peaceful and sunny Saturday. Although they don't look very fierce - despite partaking in the debauched piratical habit of swigging back the grog. I suspect the fierce captain here would fail to impress my 12 year-old god-daughter who's in love with Johnny Depp - if it ain't Jack, it's whack! Apparently.

Abbey DaysJust outside Cambridge is Anglesey Abbey. Dating from 1600 and built on the foundations of a 12th Century priory, it is now owned by the National Trust. It was for many years owned by Huttleston Broughton, 1st Lord Fairhaven and the wonderful interiors are a reflection of his taste. It's very interesting - especially the huge collection of paintings of Windsor Castle, spanning 350 years. I must admit though - culturally improving though that is, I simply prefer to wander with friends around the 100 acres of grounds and gardens. The views are stunning, the walks fascinating (not least the colonnade of Roman Emperor statuary) and there's a very picturesque watermill where you can buy your organic home-milled flour. Essential for all my home baking...

Going Green


I know it's a really boring picture but as I spend a lot of time (as you will see) moaning about what the council have done to this stunning city I thought I'd sing their praises for once. A few years ago, this beautiful green space was a car park. New Square was once the wrong side of the tracks, surrounding housing was all owned by a local college and the inhabitants were all college servants and therefore lived in very shabby environs. For exactly the same reasons the area is now one of the most expensive areas in the city. However, to give the council their due, they refurbed the car park into a gorgeous green well before gentrification hit. Hats off to them. In fact, a lot more than hats come off here in the height of summer...

Gentlemen, please.

This inscription graces the exterior of one of Cambridge's best pubs - The Champion of the Thames. I was passing today and had to recommend it to you. It's a real spit-and-sawdust boozer enjoyed by students and locals alike. The real ale is excellently kept, the atmosphere redolent of another age and the clientele range from chatty through stroppy all the way to 'clearly nuts'. A couple of hundred yards from the centre of town this is another hidden gem that successfully evades the tourist crowd. It's a must on any city pub crawl and the roaring log fire and cosy atmosphere make it a great place to pass a miserable British winter evening. Should you choose this wise course, please don't interrupt the chap in the corner reading his book. I get grumpy.

Having a Ball
It's May Ball week. True, it is June to the rest of us but such is tradition in this city that even though the balls have moved to this month, the name remains. They were originally held in the week before the finals exams but were moved for obvious reasons. Many of the colleges hold their events in this week which starts on the second Thursday of June. If you don't have a ticket, this picture shows what most people get to see of the May Balls - 'Closed' notices and scaffolding. St. John's College is having its Victorian-theme ball tonight - one of the most spectacular of the events this week(being unable to get a ticket myself I've ordered a spy shot for tomorrow!). The picture shows Gonville and Caius College - also holding their 'Victorian Vanity Fair' ball tonight. Regarded as one of the most beautiful of Cambridge colleges, this is all we'll get to see of it today...

PuntificatingThis last week has brought the real summer weather and the desultory straggle of hardy cold-weather punters have suddenly been overwhelmed by hordes of amateurs who, having learned the art, will leave the city never to so much as see a punt again. It is great fun though and something everyone has to do once. Most of the fun is in the drinking and sinking that takes place but apparently there are also some historic buildings to see along the route... The punt-voyeur can achieve most enjoyment by just sitting on the bank and watching the inept create carnage on the Cam and the inevitable fallings in that occur with hilarious regularity - generally due to an absolute refusal to release the pole when it gets stuck in the mud whilst the punt continues its momentum... The young lady shown here was clearly an improver - becoming confident whilst still not entirely comfortable with the pole but she acquited herself more than adequately. Sadly.

A Fair Cop?
Every year at this time kids get excited and fall in thrall to the bright lights and loud music that announce the return of the Midsummer Fair. Young lovers stroll arm in arm and mums and dads tote the wee ones on their backs whilst the big kids ride the rollercoasters and Dodgems eating hotdogs and candy floss. Utterly coincidental to this charming and fondly-viewed event the crime rate soars - houses burgled, people mugged, harrassment, intimidation and fights are the order of the day. I watched once as some guys drove by with their mates in the back of their pickup who all jumped out as one and ran into all the gardens and carports/garages in our street and grabbed everything they could before jumping back in and roaring off. All before anyone could get out of their houses. I've been burgled twice; a neighbour 3 times in as many years - all at this time. The police say they can do nothing. Great. Of course, I'm sure it's just local crims using the undeserved rep of the fair crowd as cover. Absolutely. Looking forward to the next week that's for sure. Wanna be taken for a ride?

Soapbox?

Although not particularly beautiful, the Catholic Church on the corner of Hills and Lensfield Roads is an imposing and well-known landmark. Built between 1885 and 1890 its proper name is Our Lady and the English Martyrs and it stands sentinel over the historic central junction in the city which many are surprised to learn has always been called Hyde Park Corner. Now that the eponymously named antiques shop has gone there's no other evidence of this grand title. I'd rather have that than more poxy rising bollards.

That Friday Feeling

And that means a lot of time spent here, The Free Press, over the next couple of days. Unlike last night's pub this one is definitely on the tourist trail but it never gets rammed and they share the unfettered ambience with locals chatting, reading and doing the crosswords. Non-smoking and no-mobile-phones policies along with a singular lack of all music or fruit machines make this a real peaceful haven where people can actually talk. They have a great and varied wine selection and a genuine snug in which students regularly try to beat the record for occupants. Dicks.

GOAL!



England played Trinidad and Tobago this evening and after a pretty uninspiring 70 minutes the game turned and we had the first goal from Crouch in the 83rd minute and in the 90th the victory was hammered home by Gerrard. Joy and more than a little relief here in The Dobblers Inn where the language had been getting bluer and louder at the prospect of a 0-0 draw. Crap picture I know but the whole pub moved! Tucked away in a backstreet this pub is a solid boozer practically devoid of students and off all the tourist maps. Good beer, great atmosphere and best of all - right next door to the Moghul Tandoori, easily the best curry in the city. Probably.

Virtual Reality

It’s been scrawled, etched and painted many times over the last 40 years but no matter how transitory the media (A brass nameplate was attached January 1998 but it disappeared in July of that year), the unofficial official name of this lamp-post remains. Situated half-way across Parker’s Piece on the diagonal between the University Arms Hotel and the Mill Road/East Road traffic lights, it was erected in 1894 and was supposedly the first electric streetlight in the city. Depending on the story it was either the demarcation line between Town and Gown or was christened by a founder of the Mill Road Arjuna health food shop whilst high. Either way the name ‘Reality Checkpoint’ has stuck and it remains a pilgrimage place for the many suffering metaphysical meltdown. Or not. I always thought it a great and evocative name – I half expect to come across it in The Hitchhiker's Guide.

A Truly Mammoth Tusk


Cambridge is a stunning and multifaceted city full of secrets and hidden corners. This sculpture is in full view at head height on one of the busiest streets in the city and yet is rarely noticed. Placed c.1910 the mammoth has benignly watched whilst 'progress' has, in the last 50 years, claimed one of the most authentic, intriguing and atmospherically individual city centres in the country. As a kid I always thought the mammoth rocked; I guess I still do.