Brandys Cambridge education

Cambridge, 1 of Englands power houses of education right?! Absolutely! This is the university which witnessed Crick and Watson announcing to the world they had discovered the key to life; DNA. Today they are a leading university in the genetic realm amongst other academic pursuits I'm sure. Our education was slightly less brain straining; a successful lesson in the art of punting a flat bottomed boat along the beautiful river bordering the opulent colleges of King, Queens and St Johns to name a few.

Kings College

Queens College

The punting PHD focused on maintaining good speed and direction and most importantly coordinating this with your Fosters tin in one hand. No easy task, especially as the evening wore on and the empty cans stacked up! I'm pleased to say both Manda and I received passes, despite Manda irresponsibly cutting a number of donuts near Jesus Green! All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening with Helen (great Aunty Wins granddaughter), her hilarious and generous Irish boy John and their mates Cameron and Chris (quite conflicting personalities - Chris from Birmingham who buys stolen bikes and then wonders why he has them stolen?!? And Cameron the more stereotypical smug and pompous Englishman).

Our boat - John, M and Helen

Finishing the night at the local English bar with a good pint of Old Speckled Hen the perfect night cap!

Brad punting

Manda also got to put her newly found 'gift of the gab' from Ireland to good use as we were heavily questioned at St Johns on the validity of our claims to be students! We were triumphant making a huge saving of £1.50 each. Hahaha! Paid for a sandwich I guess!

Cambridge was not surprisingly a rich, vibrant, youthful town, nicely contrasted to the old, history rich, sandstone colleges of their well renowned university. A tour of the main sights of Cambridge took us past their cool grasshopper clock unveiled in 2008 by Steven Hawkins who studied and lectured at the uni, the physics lab Crick and Watson worked in, the pub they announced their discovery in, and the unforgettable Queens and Kings colleges with their immaculate lawns and ornate and old (13-1500AD) buildings of which King's chapel was a highlight.

Cambridge from punting boat

Helen, mentioned earlier, was a great host and generously put us up at her cute little joint within walking distance of town. Its tight streets lined both sides with cars bumper to bumper will certainly be something we remember Cambridge for (parking is a nightmare!). Heaven help you if you meet a car coming from the other direction and there is no way you can turn round or get out of their way!

So after a terrific night out with Helen and the gang we hit the hay knowing we'd have a fairly tight schedule to make it back to London the next morning to return the little hire car Giselle. Not surprising I woke early feeling a little second hand but after a great breaky supplied fresh from the local baker by the ever reliable and charming Irishman John we were ready for the 2 hour drive back to London where our UK adventure had started 5 weeks previously. Made it back to Europecar 3 minutes before it was due at 11am. Phew. Everything we have done on this trip has been done on adrenaline!

Bridge of sighs Cambridge (St Johns college)