Our next stop was yet another small English village. We've really been getting a taste of village life with our past few visits.
We took the train to Hemingford-Grey, just a few miles outside of Cambridge, to visit with an old school friend of Wendy's. Judy and I first met at boarding school in Toronto in 1955, and were room-mates there. We last saw each other in 1976, and much water has gone under the bridge since then. We have been in occasional email contact but it was so neat to be together and reminisce for a couple of days. Judy has a wonderful 'cottage' in the village, and everyone there knows each other, and cares for each other. Just before we arrived Judy's cat had been lost for a week. He'd been found again two days before we arrived, but while we were there Judy received multiple phone calls asking about him. The neighbours were all concerned!
The Rose Cottage in Hemingford-Grey
Wendy and Judy in the back garden at Rose Cottage.
Judy laid on a great day for us. We started with a visit to the next village of St. Ives (NOT the same one as we'd spent the first 2 weeks in Cornwall). It has a wonderful medieval bridge across the Ouse River, and is one of only 4 bridges in England to contain a chapel on the bridge (allegedly for pilgrims).
Next we went to visit the Manor House in her village, and learned about its history. The original structure was built in Norman times (1066 and all that!). It has been partially destroyed by fire and renovated since then. It is one of the oldest continuously habited houses in England. In 1939 it was purchased by Lucy Boston, author, artist and quilter. She wrote a series of successful children's books, based on this house/area as location. During WW2 Lucy invited airmen from the nearby base to come to her music room for relaxing evenings. The 1929 gramophone there is still in operation, as well as a large collection of 78rpm records. Her daughter-in-law now owns the house and opens it for daily tours. We too listened to the music.
The children's room In the Manor House - scenes from the books.
Next we took the bus into Cambridge. Had a great lunch at Bill's Restaurant, one of Judy's favourites - delicious! Then we made our way to the banks of the River Cam to get a rental punt. Settled into a boat with an "oarsman". Is that the correct term for one guy with a pole? Anyway, off we went on the River, past the iconic colleges, lawns, students - under bridges and all along the river. Saw New College, Trinity, and King's College. It was a thrill for Wendy to see King's College Chapel where so much great music originates. Along the way we encountered students who are new to Cambridge and seemed to be attempting their initiating punting experience. They were crossways in the river, bumping into other boats, and howling with laughter. But nobody fell in! (Were we disappointed?). Overall it was neat to punt the Cam, and notch up another travel experience.
After a great day out we were happy to return to Rose Cottage for a relaxing dinner and more reminiscing.
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