During our recent tour of England, we visited St John’s College in Cambridge. I must say that Cambridge itself was a little bit disappointing for me. The town was a bit shabby and there was a lot of litter lying about. We also had the bad luck of choosing to park our car in a car park that smelled like a urinal. This was a bit of a shock.
Our visit to St John’s College, however, was amazing. This beautiful old building seemed steeped in knowledge and great thoughts.
Everything seemed very still and the whole atmosphere seemed to be one of learning and discipline. I felt like I was in a huge library.
We stood on the bridge and watched the activity on the water.
There was a wedding taking place in the magnificent gardens. The bride and groom looked so happy and the air was full of the lovely sounds of a harp. I have never seen a harp before and hadn’t appreciated how large this instrument is or how sweet its sound.
The garden was enormous and peaceful. The green laws were surrounded by majestic trees.
Our visit fell during the August holiday period so the college was quiet. I don’t know what it is like when the University is in session but it certainly had a very traditional and studious look and feel to it.
I would have loved to have stayed longer in Cambridge but we only had a few hours to spare before driving on to Suffolk. Our brief visit was very instructive and, if I get another opportunity to visit this town, I will ensure we allocate sufficient time to visit the University and all of the colleges.
Robbie and Michael Cheadle are the co-authors of the Sir Chocolate Book series and Robbie Cheadle is the author of Silly Willy goes to Cape Town
Blog: robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com
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You make me look at my own country through new eyes Robbie.. Another beautiful place and one which is steeped in history..
Very peaceful.. 🙂
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Hi Sue, I suppose that if you live in England, the amazingness of you heritage and buildings does seem more commonplace than to a visitor. I think that the UK is the most wonderful place in the world. You have so much to be proud of.
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Thank you Robbie.. Yes we take our old buildings and History very much for granted I know.. And its not until you stand back and really LOOK you begin to see through another’s pair of eyes.. 🙂 SO thank YOU!
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What a gorgeous place, Robbie. That one would have been hard for me to leave. I love arches… particularly all those that are part of the (already) arched bridge. This was a feast for the eyes. Hugs!
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I love St John’s College, Teagan. Such a wonderful tribute to learning an books. Gives me the shivers just thinking about it.
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It looks gloomy, though that’s what is necessary for good studying, isn’t it? 🙂 Thank you, dear Robbie!
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Thank you, Maria. It wasn’t gloomy. It was magnificent and peaceful. I would love to have studied there – amazing!
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🙂 Oh, well…photos pass the image and never the spirit! 🙂 I’m glad you liked to stay there anyway.
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Lovely atmospheric Post Robbie Capturing the sights of this ancient university town… Shame about the car park and litter though- especially as it is such and important historical and cultural attraction!”
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Hi Paul, I was also surprised. The college was amazing though so it more than made up for it.
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Have you read the His Dark Materials trilogy- (The Golden Compass (film) or Northern Lights (book) It is based around an alternate Cambridge.
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I haven’t read this, Paul. That sounds fascinating.
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I went to Cambridge years ago and remember it as a pretty place. What a shame there was so much litter and that horrible smell though.
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I was surprised. Maybe it was because it was a Sunday during the holidays. It did spoil it a bit.
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It annoys me that people have so little respect, dropping litter etc.
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I have never visited Cambridge Robbie. Thank you for sharing its highlights. What a pity about the litter…
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The college was marvellous, Brigid. A delightful visit.
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Robbie Cheadle with some great photos of an old haunt of ours when we lived in North London.. Cambridge..punting is the best fun ever.
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Sally, you really are full of surprises. Thanks for sharing. Hugs.
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We only lived at the bottom of the M11 and we always took visitors up to Cambridge…loved the old city.. hugs xx
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Such a beautiful place Robbie. Green and lush. 🙂
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It was really lovely, Debby. Especially with the wedding going on.
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Beautiful scenery Robbie. Some bushes give off that scent around here too. Not pleasing but part of the flora we guess.
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That is interesting, Audrey. This was definitely people, probably drunk ones.
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How sad that people would do that.
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Puts me in mind of when people visit Detroit, MI. I know the beauty of the City, it’s everywhere… Still, what stands out, is what is not so beautiful. Good and bad in everything and I am happy you got to experience so much of the good of Cambridge!
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I do try to see the good everywhere I go, Annette. Our initial impression wasn’t great but the college more than made up for it.
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Glad you enjoyed eventually. Was there many years ago. Nice town xxx
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Thanks Shey, you are well travelled.
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Lol…many years back yeah. Not so much these days xxx
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Thank you for sharing, Michael.
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There are large parts of England where litter is common. We’ve had the same issue with car parks before. Quite gross. The College looks amazing. We will be in Oxford next month which I’m quite looking forward to.
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I haven’t been to Oxford but it looks amazing. I hope you will share pictures and your thoughts after your visit.
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I will write a travel blog which you can follow. Not sure how much of the trip will make it here.
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I didn’t actually know that. I will look for it on your site.
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A lovely post, Robbie. I love the photo of St. John College. It gives a sense that the students are very serious. What a sight to see a garden wedding. Yes, the sound of a harp is heavenly, no musical instrument is quite like it. My daughter went to St. Andrew College for summer school, one year before Prince William went to college there, and my daughter heard the excitement on Campus. The campus of St. Andrew looks a little bit like St. John College. A short and sweet visit!
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What a wonderful place to grow and to learn…
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I thought so too.
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Hi Robbie. The underground parking area of a shopping centre in Birmingham smelt like a urinal ten years ago which was the last time I was there. Oxford University and town are very imposing as well. My dad was an Oxford man and always maintained it was more beautiful than Cambridge.
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I think people do wee in the stairwells, Kim. I am sure it happens here too but our parking arrangements are different. I have not been to Oxford but hope to go sometime.
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St. Johns gets a brief mention in my book. There are so many beautiful colleges in Cambridge, I’m very lucky to live here so many inspiring places to write about! Lovely post. 🙂
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Thank you, Marje. You are lucky to live in such a beautiful place. Lots of food for your imagination and your books.
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Indeed I am Robbie. 🙂
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You always look like you’re having so much fun. I love that! I’m off to the Washington DC part of the US next week and I hope to have even half as much excitement as you seem to!
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I am sure you will have a wonderful time, Jacqui. Washington DC is full of interesting things to do and see.
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The river photo made me think of Venice, but not the architecture. Nice photos and descriptions.
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It is really pretty, isn’t it. I haven’t been to Venice but maybe someday.
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Magnificent, Robbie. History and castles- very cool.
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England is packed with history, Jennie. Rather amazing for someone like me whose countries recorded history is only c. 400 years.
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It is a gem of history, for sure. America hasn’t been around very long for recorded history, either.
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So beautiful campus, and peaceful. Great captures, Robbie! 🙂
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Thank you, Amy. Have a lovely weekend.
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That certainly is a gorgeous campus and the architecture of the buildings is impressive. Thanks for the tour, Robbie!
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The UK is definitely full of very impressive buildings, John. I loved the flowers too
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Funny how we both posted photos of university/campus life today. Love the water shot! Sorry to read that it felt a little shabby. And all that gray sky in August? I’d give my left arm for a cool day like that then 🙂
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Great minds think alike, Terri [smile]. It is only September and it was 32 degrees Celsius in Johannesburg today.
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Your boys probably don’t fully appreciate the educational aspects of your vacations now – but they will as they grow older. Your entire family is so fortunate to be able to travel to so many interesting places. Thanks so much for sharing.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to educate a world!”
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Thank you, Madelyn. We are very fortunate and it is great for my boys.
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AND fodder for your stories – which you share with the rest of us.
xx,
mgh
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I’ve only been to Cambridge once, although I’ve visited Oxford several times and really like it. It can be very busy and expensive during term time. Great pics, Robbie!
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Thanks Olga. We only visited the one college which was a shame. Next time we will plan to visit for a longer time period.
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Yes, do visit more colleges next time you’re in our beautiful city. St John’s is a wonderful place and has an excellent choir. The Epiphany Service in their Chapel is so moving – entirely candle lit and so atmospheric.
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I will definitely try to do that.
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England has my heart
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Mine too.
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