Cambridge - colleges..colleges....colleges

Cambridge is a short 50 minute train ride from London.  But, upon arrival it is very difficult not to fall in love with how quaint and how 'walkable' a city.  While there is what appears to be an efficient line of bus transportation and taxis also abound....and bicycles are everywhere...the choice mode of transportation if you live in Cambridge...is walking.

Walking within Cambridge and in the footpaths beyond is the only way to see the many colleges making up Cambridge.  I will in no way begin to show you all the colleges...nor did I see all of them.  But, I did try and capture a few and the absolutely beautiful gardens and grounds that are part of those colleges.

My host for this great adventure...and I guarantee you I could never have found my way around so much of Cambridge without him...was Mick Ellis.  Mick and I met in Washington when he was the Director for HIV Counseling and Testing for Whitman Walker Clinic and I was a volunteer at the Clinic.  Mick retired and moved to Florida and then after a couple years used his dual citizenship with Ireland to settle in at Cambridge and enter one of the colleges....Westcott House.  Here is Mick....

Mick lives in a flat facing a beautiful area called Parker's Place....

As we left the flat we headed across Parker's Place and another "green" area called Christ's Places....which was abundant with beautiful flowers and a tribute to Princess Diana....

As we head toward Mick's college we are surrounded by Emmanuel College, Christ's College, Sidney Sussex College, Wesley House and Jesus College.  But here are some views of Westcott College....

With it's chapel....

The library...

...oh those views from the leaded windows.....

...the Westcott House courtyard and some of the beautiful flowers....

Then it is off to make a circle of the city and view other colleges....from Magdalene to St. John's to Trinity and Claire College....just take a look at these magnificent structures...some dating back to the 1600's...and housing a student population of 400 to 500 in each college.

One of my favorites...and also one of the prestigious colleges is King's College...

Are those buildings not cool?  The last two photos are of student housing....nice...very nice!!

Okay, a couple more shots of Kings College....(can you tell I really liked this?)

and finally a look at the stained glass inside the Kings College Chapel....

Tomorrow... a second day at Cambridge....but a different take...from Colleges to the footpath!!