17 Oct. - Cambridge

 Image: Punting on the River Cam past St John's Meadow and College

A punting tour along The Cam past The Backs (of The Colleges) with a weathered guide two years younger than ourselves. He was confident + proud of his acquired knowledge, yet equally honest + true to his 'working class' origins + beliefs. Now a progressive-thinking liberal of sorts, he however retained an habitual nervous snort whenever he made a remark of which he felt his audience may disapprove. He was quirky but sincere, with broad-ranging interests and an obvious wealth of historical + statistical facts. I liked him rather a lot + reckon he'd be good to sit with over a few beers - swapping stories + recollections.

And yes, the views along the river, under the bridges + past the ostentatious architecture is pleasant indeed!

Notes: Just a quick day-trip to Cambridge via the train. A funny old place with the locals and students perhaps just a little full of themselves if the belligerent cycling behaviour is any guide? I understand that the masses of gawking tourists must be a burden, but it would be less offensive if they simply stated the colleges (and other buildings) were not open to visitors rather than charge absurd entry fees at every turn. No, we didn't pay.