Punting on the Cam

Punting is one of the most popular tourist activities in Cambridge--and hawkers of the "punting experience" are aggressive in rounding up potential customers.  Punting consists of pushing a long, flat bottomed boat along the river by means of a pole.  It's harder than it looks and novices can end up zigzagging their way down the river, bumping into other boats, falling into the river, or all three.  We chose to be entertained by a punter and hoped to hear more about the colleges as we passed by them.

Waiting for the next boat--beer always helps.  The Silver St. Bridge is in the background.

It was really windy on the river.  Tom's ball cap has just blown off into the water!  Thanks to our trusty punter, the cap was retrieved, soggy but still in good condition.

The wind is NOT bothering Emily, however.

Our punter Edward graduated with a Master's Degree (not from Cambridge) but has been unable to find employment in his area, hence his current affiliation with the tourist trade.

We passed under bridges in the old colleges area which surrounds and is part of the city center of Cambridge.

The Mathematical Bridge connecting parts of Queens' College.  The design is NOT due to Isaac Newton and it IS held together with nuts and bolts.  This is the rebuilt 1905 version.  The Queen Mum liked it and railings were placed on both sides to prevent any royal missteps.

The Clare Bridge, the oldest of the current bridges.

The Bridge of Sighs, fashioned after the famous one in Venice,  connecting St. John's College.

St. John's College, the second largest of the colleges, founded by Lady Margaret Beaufort, the mother of King Henry VII

The Magdalene Bridge, close by the site of the Romans' settlement in Cambridge and the first crossing of the Cam.  In 1988 Magdalene (pronounced "Maudlin") College was the last to admit female students to Cambridge.  At the time, male students wore black armbands and the college flag was flown at half-mast.

Quayside, a commercial area owned by Magdalene College, and our turn around point of our trip.

Punting was an enjoyable and relaxing way to see the older parts of Cambridge but I was happy we had taken a walking tour earlier since we learned much more about the city then.