GRANTCHESTER MEADOWS.

Just hanging out by the river Cam.  :)

My new pal Franny took me on a mini adventure a couple of weeks ago.  We went to a place called Grantchester Orchard to have a beverage and pick fruit (apples and plums!).  It is actually an orchard with a bunch of tables and chairs spread out amongst the trees and a tiny cafe selling traditional English tea, scones and cream.  The whole operation is outdoors, so on a rain-free day, it is packed with people enjoying tea and conversation.  It is a very beautiful and unique place and you can feel the history of it.  Apparently, it was a place to go for great minds of the Cambridge University community to go and have tea and talk (think Bertrand Russell).  Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera, so I didn't document the orchard yet (but I will!).  Half the beauty of this place though is getting there-- cruising through the Grantchester Meadows along a path that has pretty views of the fields and meadows on one side, and then goes down a hill to the river Cam on the other.  People picnic and swim and laze about along the river, and it really is so magical.  Raf and I took a bike ride there a coupe of weekends ago and snapped a few pictures.  We also attempted to play frisbee, but honestly, there was so much cow poop in the meadow, that it wasn't so fun after a while.  :)

A young couple by the river.

Raf watching boaters.

The top of the hill, where the path is.

The river Cam: where plenty of kayaks, canoes, and punting boats roam.

Part of the path along the river.

I want to go back earlier (it was dinner time when we went), on a sunnier day and get photos of all of the people relaxing by the water and having picnics.  It reminds me of Georges Seurat's "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte".  Well, minus the 1880's fancy clothing... :)