CAMBRIDGE, days 8+9

Monday was really a tough day: 1^st because it’s Monday, right? 2^nd because I’m very tired and in need of a duvet day; 3^rd because I had classes all day, followed by a very interesting cultural talk on “The complex songs of Mr Dylan” with practical activities for our classes. In spite of all this, the day couldn’t have possibly ended better. It was the perfect day and the perfect sunset for punting!

For those who may not know exactly what it is, a punt is a flat-bottomed boat without a keel propelled by means of a long pole. Its designed was developed in medieval times to allow easy navigation in areas with shallow water; unlike in the past, they are now used almost exclusively for recreation. Poling along the river seems to be an easy task but it is not! Steering a punt is hard and demands skill and dexterity and besides the pole can get stuck in the mud of the river bottom.

Let me share with you some of the pictures taken during my punting experience: a chauffeured ride on the River Cam, in a 45-minute historical tour of the surroundings including 7 of the most famous colleges (the College Backs) and 9 stunning bridges, complete with strawberries, cream and champagne. A great experience indeed!

 >>The Mathematical Bridge is the popular name for this wooden footbridge across the River Cam, between two parts of Queen’s College and was originally built in 1749. Its official name is simply the Wooden Bridge and what we see here is a replica built in the early 20^th century. 

 

>>3 pictures of the Bridge of Sighs (yup, similar in design to the one in Venice or the one in Oxford) and connects both sides of St John’s College built in 1511. 

>>King’s College, founded in 1441 by Henry VI

There is no Photoshop, guys! It’s me, myself, here in Cambridge:

    >>In the background you can see King’s College and its Chapel

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>  >> I, me, myself on Silver Street Bridge right before going punting

  

I did have dinner at 5.30p: 

>>Lamb Tagine + sides: rice+carrots and leeks+Pak Choi. For dessert, an apple.

Tuesday… classes in the morning and at 2pm a workshop on music and songs. Another day spent in Cambridge without even visiting the city properly!!! You may not believe this but I started feeling a bit frustrated at not having time to visit the colleges. We leave the campus around quarter to four / four pm and when we get to the city centre it’s already 4.30 – all shops and monuments close at 5pm and there are no further admissions after 4.30!!! So, today I skipped the barbie on the college grounds (sorry, but no meal, no pic) to go straight to St John’s College. Wow! Time and money well spent!

Have a look!

>>Entrance to the College through the Front Gate facing St John’s Street. This Front Gate was completed in 1516 and the carving is the coat of arms of the Foundress, Lady Margaret Beaufort and above is a statue of St John the Evangelist.

>>Me, again. Still any doubts? 

 >>the back of St John’s College with luxurious greenish lawns and the stunning buildings that make up the college.

Another glorious day in Cambridge has gone by and this one ended with a private reception at Cambridge University Press Bookshop.

LONDON and OXFORD

Gosh!!!! What a busy weekend!

Saturday was spent in London, always bustling with life, noise and traffic. We were dropped off near Waterloo station (quite close to the London Eye) and from there I moved on to the Houses of Parliament. 

>>> London Icons: Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

To be quite honest, it was not what I first had in mind, but definitely worthwhile to go on the guided tour that lasted about 2 hours and unravelled the amazing blend of history and politics within these imponent buildings famous worldwide. The tour took place in the Lords and Commons Chambers; other highlights included Westminster Hall, the Queen’s Robing Room, Central Hobby, among others. The huge stained glass window you can see on the right (a gift from the Members of both Houses to Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee) is already in display but will be installed in the three central panels of North window of Westminster Hall during conservation work planned for this year.

Lyceum Theatre

When this tour finished, it was already 1pm and time to head to Wellington Street, for Disney's beloved animated film but in a theatrical / musical event I'll never forget: The Lion King. Well, as all London musicals, this one was as gorgeous as any other I’ve been to before: a spectacular production, a fantastic orchestra, an extraordinary wardrobe, stunning effects – an impressive show really! It was packed with people of all ages and even for foreigners other than English speakers, it’s quite easy to follow due not only to its famous songs but also to its simple storyline. Thumbs up!!! Fantastic musical for our kids / students. Not to be missed!

I’m dead tired. If I already felt exhausted yesterday, imagine today after visiting Oxford! No, you haven’t missed a bit… I just returned to Cambridge for the night and at 8.30 in the morning, I was already on my way again but this time to Oxford, a beautiful city of stunning architecture, history and culture. It is believed that the first centres of learning in Oxford were connected to the monasteries established by Augustinian monks in the 12^th century; for about 800 years colleges have existed around the city of Oxford and today there are 38 colleges and a total of about 18,000 students. Relations between the town and the students have not been as easy as they are today. In the 13^th century, after some troubles, some scholars fled fearing for their lives and some went / came to Cambridge where they founded another university. Regardless of attending any of the 38 colleges, the most important really is being a student at Oxford, the oldest English speaking University in the world.

Entrance to the Museum

I started by visiting the The Ashmolean Museum , established in 1683, that houses the oldest public collection in the country; this art and architecture museum is not only home to an original collection but also displays the University’s collections from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and the near East along with a fine collection of European paintings. Definitely worth a second visit or a longer one…

The guided tour gave us an introduction to Oxford and to some of the ancient and modern colleges, fascinating museums and galleries, large parks, but as far as I’m concerned, a visit to some of the colleges and other sights on the way will be for another, a second visit with the family. This time, just a little sightseeing of this compact city centre with nearly 1,000 buildings of architectural or historical interest within just one square mile. Besides, who could resist the temptation of so many book bargains? In one store, all books cost 2£ (and recent books) and in another one 3 books for 5£… I wish I had larger and lighter suitcases to carry dozens of books (and not having to pay extra at the airport, obviously!)

Included in my top of things to see and do in Oxford are, for instance, 

Radcliffe Camera, a majestic circular reading room for the Bodleian Library

The Bridge of Sighs

Oxford is also famous for the college dining halls where some Harry Potter scenes were shot. Famous Oxonians include Sir Thomas More, Christopher Wren, William Gladstone, JRR Tolkien, TS Eliot, WH Auden, Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher, Prof Stephen Hawking, Aung San Suu Kyi, Tony Blair …a constant presence in Oxford is Alice, from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" (there's even a shop with her name that only sells artifacts connected with the book and its characters) and so Charles Dodgson (another famous Oxonian better known as Lewis Carroll) is also omnipresent even in portraits.

CAMBRIDGE: days 4+5

On my fourth course day, I had classes all morning and, in the afternoon, I attended an exciting workshop by Chaz Pugliese on “The Land of Smart: How to use the theory of Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom”. After that I definitely needed some retail therapy and off to Cambridge city centre to be back at half past six for this tasty dinner:

 »» Spaghetti bolognaise + sides: rice + roast new potatoes+courgette and baton carrot 

Why such a rush?? Well, I still had plans for the evening… “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, an open-air theatre play in the beautiful gardens of Trinity College. I was delighted not only by the play (Shakespeare’s fairy-tale world of love, jealousy and youthful exuberance) but by everything around me. To my surprise, there were indeed about 200 chairs, but many more people and of all ages were on the lawn having a picnic! Some had brought rugs, others blankets and were eating and drinking (even Champagne) during the performance. In the 15-minute break hot wine was also served. Gosh, what a difference!!!

See the people on the lawn having a picnic?

This Friday, we just had classes in the morning as an excursion to Ely was already included in our cultural programme. Ely is a very calm town quite close to Cambridge (about 45 min by coach) and is mainly renowned for its Cathedral though it offers some other attractions such as Oliver Cromwell’s house and Museum. Unfortunately, there is never enough time to visit all the nice places we would like to but at least here you have a glimpse of the most fascinating sights: the Cathedral, (recently used for a prominent scene in the award winning film, The King’s Speech), gardens and its riverside. 

Ely Cathedral, surrounded by parkland and meadows

The River Great Ouse, nice spot for picnics and pics

It was a really hot day (can you believe that? It has only rained one and for a couple of minutes) and after a shower, here is my dinner: 

»» Vegetarian Lasagne+sides: peas+sugar snap peas, as usual followed by fresh fruit

Today was film night at the campus and maybe inspired by the visit to Ely, namely its Cathedral, guess the film I chose???? The King's Speech, of course!