Cambridge, England

On Saturday, November 1st, the three Wheelers once again headed to the train station to venture out from London for a few hours. We visited the university town of Cambridge, a beautiful place anytime but particularly lovely in the fall.

The train rides *out* are always so fun - Brooks is full of energy, we're all excited about the day, and there is so much to see out the windows!!


Our first stop when we arrived was the Trinity College Wren Library. The library just opens for a couple of hours each day during term, and we arrived just before closing to breeze through and see some of its treasures - original works by Isaac Newton (who spent 30 years at Trinity), ancient illuminated Bibles, writings of Milton, Byron, Tennyson, as well as the original Winnie the Pooh manuscript. According to Rick Steves, the real Christopher Robin attended Trinity College. The room itself was beautiful as well. So glad not to miss it!

This is one of the main courtyards of Trinity College. I love all the green space everywhere, but wonder if the students can ever really enjoy it. Signs demanding "keep off the green" are everywhere.


I loved the ivy leaves turning red on this beautiful old building.


Brooks declares that one day "All this will be mine!" (actually I have no idea what the arms thing is about... maybe he liked the wind and wanted to fly?)


I thought this archway was perfect - gorgeous architecture with its curved windows, carefully trimmed ivy, and - the chaotic collection of rusty old bikes piled up on each side.


These rounded window rooms jut out over a tiny little street which make it look like a reverse turret!


Begun in the 15th century by Henry the VI, the King's College Chapel was later completed by Henry the VIII. The intricate fan fault ceiling is the largest and most beautiful in the world and the organ and the stained glass (most from the 16th century) were equally fine. Unfortunately Brooks wasn't all that impressed, so we moved on quickly.


Brooks *was* impressed by the university student punting down the Cam River outside. There was lots of jumping up & down and shouting hello on Brooks's part, and waving and grinning on the part of the punter.




Brooks and Dada on the Cam Bridge in Cambridge! :)


It was cold that day and Brooks thought it was so funny to tuck his hands under the backpack next to his Dada's warm back.


On the way to the Fitzwilliam museum, we passed by many other beautiful colleges. I think if I had toured a university like this before going to Auburn, I would have been tempted to go elsewhere for school. Everywhere we looked, the views were like this... interesting little buildings or rooms off buildings with windows full of wavy old glass, quiet green courtyards, shadowy passageways leading out of sight, elegant street lamps, piles of beat-up bicycles. It was the perfect place to stroll around enjoying the views, particularly if it had been about 20 degrees warmer.


The Fitzwilliam museum was lovely but didn't allow baby backpacks. I was getting flashbacks of my experience in Rome at the Borghese Gallery when Eric declared he could carry Brooks for at least a few minutes. Since it was a free entry, we thought we'd at least try it. None of the statues or paintings were behind glass - which as a tourist is wonderful because it means you can really study the art as it was meant to be enjoyed. As a parent, though, it makes me feel a bit crazy, because of constantly trying to keep my toddler from knocking over the antique sculpture or touching the paintings. Eric however did a *great* job of helping Brooks spot the horsey in that painting and find the Dada in this one... The museum hosts also enjoyed Brooks' pumpkin hat and silly pre-nap playfulness. Amazingly he didn't whine - when he got tired he just passed out.

We sat in one gallery of the museum a long time trying to let him power-nap, but when we realized he was snoring, we thought it was probably okay to risk waking him in order to head back to the train station. Lots of folks enjoying seeing him sleeping on his Dada's shoulder on the museum porch.


The train rides home after this kind of day trip usually end this way... lots of tired little indians.


Maybe in 16 or 17 years, Brooks will return to Cambridge as a student?