2 May 2008

Cambridge



My father-in-law is an Old Boy from Cambridge, meaning he is a graduate of Cambridge University (Trinity College to be specific). Today he took us on a tour of his old stomping grounds.

I tried to imagine myself studying in a place as beautiful as this:



And I'm honestly not sure I would have gotten a lot done, if I were surrounded by views such as these:



Or these:



But then again, if I started to feel guilty about putting all that tuition money to waste, I'd just send up a quick prayer to the powers-that-be, either here:



Or in this 'modest' student chapel attached to the college:



After admiring the old buildings of the various colleges, we finished our afternoon visit with an attempt at 'punting' on the river Cam (vaguely reminiscent of the gondolas in Venice, but really an art-form all of its own, as Mike quickly realized):





Having seen enormous abbeys, churches and chapels in both London and here in Cambridge, it is hard to believe there are bigger ones still to come, but that is just what we'll see as we hit the town of Lincoln this morning. The boys are stopping for a night there with their uncle, before they join us in Ripon tomorrow.

And so the adventure continues...

22 comments:

Barrie said...

It has been so fun following your family adventure. I really appreciate all the work you've put into blogging.

Anonymous said...

Well, I went to the University of Alberta: home of the Butterdome a gigantic sports complex that resembles a huge pat of butter -- so yeah, Cambridge looks lovely. Exactly like a university should be.

Steph said...

Wow - beautiful pictures! I'm not sure that I would get much studying done there either. :) Have fun as your adventure continues!!

Stomper Girl said...

If I ever travel again, (*sigh*) Cambridge and Oxford are very high on the list of places to go. Thanks for the preview.

dawn klinge said...

How beautiful. I think I recognize that chapel from the movie Shadowlands, about C.S. Lewis. Wasn't Chariot's of Fire filmed there also? Enjoy the rest of your travels!

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

It looks like you had blue skies and sunshine, yay!

Amy Y said...

I don't think I'd get anything done there either!! I am always amazed at the history, culture and architecture that I see in photos from Europe. It's just nothing like that here and it's hard for me to even comprehend it!!

Thanks for sharing :) I'm glad to see smiles and you guys enjoying your trip!!

Julie Pippert said...

Wow that your dad went there. Wow at the photos. I have always wanted to go there. I always think of the fictional Midsommer, and Three Men in a Boat, and those locks and all the stories. Well at least there's you to share this and I can live vicariously. But how neat to go there with someone who has a history and personal connection.

P.S. Got your comment. Have had no spare time. But I will take you up on it and thanks!

thirtysomething said...

Wow! Such grand places! The adventure is amazing and the chance of a lifetime. Thanks for posting such great pictures to share with us.

kim-d said...

Okay, that is absolutely gorgeous. I am also amazed by the architecture, historical buildings, etc. in Europe. I don't understand why, here--at least in this state--we are just so quick to tear buildings down and start over again. It doesn't make sense to me. I just love that you share everything with us, as you have! I hope your weekend is wonderful, Heidi!

kim-d said...

Okay, that is absolutely gorgeous. I am also amazed by the architecture, historical buildings, etc. in Europe. I don't understand why, here--at least in this state--we are just so quick to tear buildings down and start over again. It doesn't make sense to me. I just love that you share everything with us, as you have! I hope your weekend is wonderful, Heidi!

Mary Beth said...

Add to that the accents and I would spend my days with my mouth wide open, drooling a little!

Unknown said...

Gaw! We live 15 minutes from here!

You're right about the colleges -- they are beautiful!

Aliki2006 said...

I have some of the same pictures from Cambridge myself--I was there my junior year in college. I just fell in love with it...

I am so enjoying seeing all these places right along with you (wish I were REALLY there!)

E said...

Which means that your kids are legacies, and being such citizens of the world, maybe this will be their college of choice one day too.
Then again who knows, with you guys as parents leading the way, they could wind up in China for college....

Karen MEG said...

Great pics, Heidi! Cambridge is picture perfect ... did the boys do any etchings while you were there? That's the part I remember most, aside from the beautiful campus.

Maybe your boys will go there someday ;)

Ice Cream said...

Like a fairy tale castle and a holy temple all rolled into one. I wouldn't mind paying high tuition if it meant being surrounded by such beauty on a regular basis.

Breath taking.

Anonymous said...

Wow, Cambridge is gorgeous! I couldn't imagine studying there either. So lovely.

Mighty Morphin' Mama said...

Oh Heidi, another beautiful day in Europe. Thank you for sharing all of these gorgeous photos.

Gina said...

I would also be way too distracted to study there.

Kat said...

Wow,wow,wow!!!! Just gorgeous!

Katie Zeller said...

What I (also) love are the terms.
A friend of ours also went to Cambridge. He, very proudly, told us he was 'Head Boy'.