Reinterred: A Snowy Cambridge Saunter

Today we had a return trip to Cambridge now the A14 roadworks are finally gone. We found, when we got there that there had been a good couple of inches of snow overnight.... deep and crisp and even.

We met at the Newmarket Rd Park&Ride, as had been planned last time and had a merry saunter along the Cam, around Cambridge and back.

This was the invite from Joyce.

"Monday 12th December A festive return visit to Cambridge.. (all road works on the A14 have gone). Those wishing for a longer walk, please park at Newmarket Park & Ride in the far back car park for 9.30am. We will meet under the large bicycle Archway. We will then use tarmac paths to cross Stourbridge common and walk alongside the River Cam. If you wish to park at the Riverside, end of Stanley Road, Cambridge CB5 8LF. This is free parking and will shorten your walk. We will collect you at 10.10am. We will then head to coffee at Michaelhouse Café (4 miles from Park & Ride) approx 11am.

We will then take a look around the market, visit Pembroke and Downing Colleges before making our way over to Selwyn College. We will walk the gardens there and take advantage of the College Bar for some refreshments (if you wish?). I will try and be back at the Park & Ride by 3pm or you can stay and shop in Cambridge of course. Wrap up warm. "

This was our route.

Here area few of my photos.

This was our starting point.

These houses are all new since the last time I walked from the Park & Ride.

There was some ice floating on the River Cam. No rowers today!

The new footbridge over the river for the Chisholm Trail looks like a boat and is painted in Cambridge blue. The railway bridge behind is painted to look like there are oars for the boat. Unfortunately half are facing the opposite way to the other half.

We walked along the river to Magdalene bridge....

...and admired the view back along Magdalene College.

We stopped at the Michaelhouse café and managed to get a table upstairs. It was my turn to provide the ginger comestibles. Joyce declared them gingery enough to clear her sinuses.

We walked along Rose Crescent and I was able to point to the back of the set I had in St. Michael's Court during my 3rd year at university.

We went into the Lloyds Bank (originally Foster's Bank) on Sidney Street. I'd never been in (not being a Lloyds Bank customer). Built in 1891 for Foster and Company this bank is designed in the Dutch renaissance style with a neo-Tudor extension from 1935. The ornate exterior and internal Italianate banking hall make the building appear older than it actually is.

We passed through the Grand Arcade.

In Downing College we were impressed by the Ai Weiwei tree outside the Heong Gallery.

The college buildings looked grand in the snow.

We continued on the Pembroke College, which was also open to visitors.

We visited the chapel.

We stopped at the famous Fitzbillies for Tania to do a bit of cake shopping.

You can see the Mathematical Bridge in Queens' College from the Silver St road bridge.

We didn't wait to get to Selwyn College for our lunch stop as we passed the Iris Café in Newnham College. The soup was delicious.

Our final college visit was to Selwyn College.

We were liked the look of the food at the canteen which was open to visitors. Here is the dining hall.

We admired the Létourneau organ in the chapel, finished in 2004.

Heading back, we passed the University Library...

...and crossed the river via Garret Hostel Bridge, colloquially known as the Orgasm Bridge.

We passed between my old college, Gonville and Caius and the Senate House and marvelled at how a car was got onto the Senate House roof in 1958 (an Austin 7, not as I thought a Mini). You can read about the prank here.