After our bus ride through and around the town (city) we took an hour long trip known as the college backs ride. This means that you get to see the backs of the colleges and the views not normally available to the public. Most of the colleges were built right at the waters edge and provisions were delivered by these flat bottomed boats to little doors that opened out to the water. Some of the colleges have bridges that connect two buildings together having buildings on both sides of the water.
There are many bridges to pass under and under none of them could the young man who was punting the boat stand up. I don't imagine many of the boats could carry very large things and the doors opening on the water side are pretty small. It gave a rather beautiful and quiet view of the buildings. The apartment that housed the royal family students was visible and you could see how fancy the decorations were even through the windows. Prince Harry was the last one to attend Cambridge. Wills went to St. Andrews in Scotland and lived more like a normal student in a rather common flat. Though I was told that the "family" owned the building and the downstairs neighbors had to be "vetted" before being allowed to stay!
Our trip was directly after the bus trip so the sunny skies you see were not the photo's I took- well in fact I didn't take any as I was too busy trying to keep my umbrella from poking the young man's eyes out that sat next to me.
We watched a number of people who had rented smaller punts that were trying to make their way down stream. I think on a beautiful sunny summers day it would be fun to try "punting" myself. At least when I got the pole stuck and fell into the river it would be warmer to dry off, as I am sure some of the winter punters found out.
Quiz- What is the name of the river that runs through Cambridge?
Answer- the river Cam of course!
Love to all,
Dawn
Looks like a lovely trip Dawnie!!! Very interesting too! Miss you! Much love, Doree
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