retiredmartin

August 2024. Cambridge.

The most tiring thing about visits to the parents is the sitting around all day, not using my legs. With Mum settled on Bank Holiday Monday we nipped out to Cambridge so Mrs RM could get some new Instagram material.

So here’s a few posts on my much maligned home town, for the benefit of any visitors this Autumn. There might even be a surprising pub recommendation (or two).

Just like the top tier of the Etihad, Cambridge in August seems dominated by Asian and American tourists, and we’re all delighted to see them return in such numbers after COVID. Not only are they polite and big spenders, they don’t tend to drink all our real ale.

There’s some well worn routes for tour groups and the independent tourists, always including the anatomical clock,

the Fitzwilliam,

the punting on the Cam,

and of course the Wetherspoons, once the biggest in the world.

But it’s good to linger,

and look up,

and wander down the lesser known lanes like Little St Mary’s Lane,

whose eponymous church is wonderfully peaceful without students and tourists.

Never mind the cobwebs,

look at that stained glass.

The graveyard is particularly serene,

it’s beauty in complete contrast to the Graduate Hotel (£180/night) beloved by American tourists,

drawn in by the tasteful styling.

Never mind that, there’s proper English beer by the punts at the Mill, once local Pub of the Year,

and on another afternoon I might have willingly paid £6 for a pint of Nene Valley in a plastic glass.

But not today.