Tag: River Cam

Cambridge in HDR – Jesus Lock

Another two images of the Jesus lock on the river Cam in Cambridge. Locks are used to raise or lower boats between stretches of water of different levels. The Jesus lock was built in the late 19th century and is now maintained by Conservators of the River Cam, the navigation authority for the River Cam established in 1702.

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Looking down the lock. The water inside the lock is at a higher level

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The lock is on the right of the picture just beyond the island. The broad stretch of river in the centre flows by a mini-waterfall due to differences in level.

HDR generated by bracketing 3 photos in Photomatix Pro.

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Cambridge on the Cam

I have now lived in Cambridge for over 10 years. As it so happens this is also the longest period of stay by me in any one place in all my 40+ years. And yet I don’t have many pictures of the city (something I will need to change in 2013!).

Cambridge: the famous university town with more famous ivy-clad venerable colleges, historical institutions and personalities. There is a lovely river, the Cam that runs its placid route between the colleges (the backs), under myriad bridges and plays host to punts filled with wide-eyed tourists as they hear tales of history, science and culture that stemmed from these colleges.

Trinity Lane - bounded by Gonville and Caius College on the left, and Trinity College on the right. Unchanged in centuries.
Trinity Lane – bounded by Gonville and Caius College on the left, and Trinity College on the right. Unchanged in centuries.

As rivers go, the Cam is a mere 40 miles from its humble beginnings in the tributaries Rhee and Granta. But in Cambridge, the river takes on a life of its own with punting, rowing and canoeing activities throughout the year.

Punting on the Cam
Punting on the Cam
Punts waiting for customers
Punts waiting for customers

There are some 23 bridges on the Cam in Cambridge alone. A majority of these bridges are private and link the colleges with their extensive grounds towards the back. None is probably more evocative than the St. John’s College “Bridge of Sighs” that links the Third Court and the New Court of the college.

The Bridge of Sighs, St. John's College, Cambridge.
The Bridge of Sighs, St. John’s College, Cambridge.

Cambridge is a great place to visit at any time of the year, more so to be able to enjoy punting on the Cam. A future article will deal with some of the more famous colleges.