I have several favourite places, but today, I think of Cambridge. I first went to Cambridge in 1983. I had been a Pink Floyd fan, and that’s where they were from. And I had recently seen Chariots of Fire, which was partially set in Cambridge. I instantly bonded with Cambridge when I went there in July 1983. I’m quite keen on the history of science and Christianity (particularly the post-reformation Puritans), and Cambridge features much in both.
I remember walking out to Grantchester via Grantchester Meadows, which was the title of a Pink Floyd song. I did that walk on many occasions over the years.
And every Christmas, I watch Carols from Kings. Even though I’m not a “high church” person, I do like high church music. If I lived in Cambridge, I’d probably attend somewhere like Eden Baptist Church, but I would visit the Anglican churches for concerts.
I’d like to have gone to Cambridge University if I was rich enough or clever enough 😀. Maybe it’s all changed now. And maybe, it would have become mundane if I’d live there. Generally, I used to either go there on day trips or I’d stay at the youth hostel near the railway station.
I remember taking the family there in 2013, and we visited Ely Cathedral, which is about 15 miles away. While we walked around the cathedral, we could hear the choir practice. It sounded amazing.
I haven’t been to Cambridge since 2014. Nowadays, I visit on YouTube or on Google-Earth applications on my Oculus. I must visit again sometime soon – lovely place.
The Pink Floyd High Hopes video from 1994 gives a good impression of the countryside around Cambridge.
Hibernia Gospel 