A Summer Afternoon Punting on the River Cam in Cambridge

We were in Cambridge for a few days at the end of June 2022. The first thing you notice there, especially when the sun is out, is the river. The Cam was filled with punts, these long, flat-bottomed boats gliding past the old stone college buildings. From the bridges, it was a constant, slow-moving procession.

We got on the water ourselves. The weather was bright and warm, with a few clouds in the sky. It was definitely a day for ice cream on the boat. The pace is incredibly relaxed. You just drift along, watching the other boats and the scenery pass by.

From the punt, you get a totally different perspective on the city. We floated past the backs of the colleges, their lawns stretching down to the water, all framed by huge, green trees. We passed under stone bridges and saw the grand architecture from water level. It was a calm and pleasant way to spend an afternoon.