Chilling in Cambridge, 24 and 25 June

Post the graduation exitement we had a lovely couple of days chilling around Cambridge and spending time wth Hamish and Ele.

Friday we made a small expedition to Ely, about 20 miles down the road in the fen country. Ely has a grand ancient cathedral (surprise) dating from the 1200's. It's point of difference is its "octagon" which is an 8 pillared octagonal area at the transept supporting a high lantern. The effect is to have much more space at the transept without pillars and to let light in from stained glass windows in the high lantern structure.

We took a tour of the octagon which included climbing 190 odd steps up to the roof where we could look down into the cathedral and also see for miles in every direction. The angels decorating the lantern turned out to be "doors" which could be opened (once you climbed up close).

Ele up with the angels.

The walk up was quite fun, following narrow spiral stairs and squeezing through tiny doorways.

Spiralling back down.

Small persons doorway.

Ely was home to Oliver Cromwell for 10 years. His cottage is still there and now doing duty as the tourist info centre as well as a Cromwell museum. We visited and came away better informed about who he was and about his involvement in the British civil wars of the 1600's. After the civil wars Cromwell was for a period Lord Protector of England, that is King except in name. A few years after Cromwell died the monarchy was restored. Cromwell's status then changed to traitor, and even though he was already dead, his body was exhumed and his head cut off and put on a spike.

The Cromwell museum was set up with interactive exhibits. You could dress up.

Yestreday 16th century graduation gowns, today 17th century soldier and lady garb.

Saturday dawned fine and warm(ish) so we did the proper English thing and had cream scones and tea in the meadow at Grantchester. Revived the debate about whether the cream goes on first or is it the jam? Obviously there is only one right way to do it!

In the afternoon we went to Bletchley Park (WW2 code breaking) and spend several hours looking. There is so much stuff it is a bit overwhelming for one visit, but very interesting. When we got back the weather in Cambridge had changed - it was winter again, with a hail storm and hail the size of marbles.

H & E's front door.

H & E's back yard.

In the evening we visited some more of Hamish & Ele's Cambridge haunts, just to satisfy my curiosity.

Fenner's cricket ground. G H Hardy and C P Snow spent many afternoons here (before the flats were built all around).

See "Variety of Men".

The "railway bridge" - River Cam bumps course.

Gonville & Caius temporary rowing club house - the new one is under construction!