Cambridge Scenes and Stories

Although it was a rainy day today (Thursday), I was able to take photos of Cambridge's streets, buildings and roof tops -- there is so much detail and imaginative stone carvings involved with these buildings -- I tried to bring some of that out.

Our view from the downtown area behind St. Mary's.

Looking down King's Parade . . .

And in the other direction of King's Parade, on our way to Benet's Ice Cream Shoppe

after a steak and ale pie at the Eagle Pub.

You can see behind Mark King's College and King's Chapel.

The gate to Clare College -- you walk through to get to Old Court.

Heading past the gate towards Old Court, where Mark's classroom is located.

 

Below are the four roof tops of Old Court - notice the stone work, façade,

and individuality that each roof top expresses:

 

 

Now for a couple of stories!

 

Below is Cambridge's oldest bridge, circa 1638, located in Clare College.

 

 

The stone bridge was built by Thomas Grumbold.  As you can see, there are 14 balls decorating the top of each side of the bridge.

 

 

Except, there really are only 13 & 4/5's of the stone balls you see below.

Why is that?

 

 

The stories say that Grumbold removed 1/5th from one of the stone balls because he was underpaid by 6 shillings by Clare College.

 

Grumbold's six shillings!  Those punting on the Cam can see his cut out.

Below is my photo of the Corpus Clock,

which is my landmark to turn left when I'm looking for the Eagle Pub. Maggie is taking a photo too.

 

 

This clock was conceived and funded by John C. Taylor for 1,000,000 pounds.  Design engineer Stuart Huxley plus 200 people and 5 years worked on this clock.  Mr. Taylor retained only 17th and 18th Century clockmakers -- there were no computers involved.  It was finally unveiled in 2008 by Stephen Hawking.  But what is that thing on top of it and what is the clock supposed to do?

 

The gold plated disc was created by an underwater explosive charge

that forced the thin steel into a mold. 

 

 

The ugly creature on top is a "chronophage" - which is a time eater.  It's skin is pulverized with mottled with gold dust and "blood" - the "fate of man's endeavors!" The chronophage devours a few of your seconds as its jaws takes a bite out of our time.  Every 15 minutes, the chronophase raises its sting threateningly until the hour, when it stings that hour to death to the sound of a chain rattling in a wooden coffin.  (Honestly, Mr. Taylor could have used some happy downtime in Cambridge instead of turning to the dark side.)  The warning inscription at the bottom states:  "Mundus transit et concupiscientia eius," ["the world passeth away, and the lust thereof"].

 

Speaking of chronophages, we're going fly fishing this weekend!