Cambridge in the wet and cold

The only thing for it today in the wet and cold was to use the hop on, hop off bus to get around and also to explore indoor places like museums. It really was freezing!!!

We did a full circuit on the bus which also had an audio guide describing the sights as we travelled - quite good. Apart from the colleges etc. we also went past the rather nondescript Cambridge amateur arts theatre where luminaries like Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry and others did their thing as members of the Footlights society. Also saw the pub (currently being renovated) where John Cleese worked while he was a student here.

Then we went to the Fitzwilliam museum, a bit like the Vic and Albert in London. A miscellany built up out of private collections. Met an interesting British couple over lunch in the crowded cafe- they had done quite a bit of travel in Australia.

I looked into the museum of Cambridge, one of those local funky museums which gather together collections of domestic and occupational objects. In this case they also had items from the different colleges. The museum was housed in a very old inn. Off the former guest room was a closet used for powdering a man's wig.........

Explored the shopping Centre- quite a nice one and very busy. Lots of parents in town returning students to the colleges. Also checked out the market which included produce, coffee, arts and crafts. But not for long- it really was cold!

We both like Cambridge. It feels like a large and cosmopolitan city while also being a small town on a human scale. The student presence is obvious- bicycles everywhere and lots of young people. Apparently students are not allowed to have a car within 5 miles of Cambridge!

Sky looks clearer now so we hope for a dry day tomorrow. Plan is to walk more round the colleges and the backs- probably no punting, but we'll see what the weather is like. Also walk to Grantchester meadow for tea in the famous orchard tea house.