Trip Cambridge England

Cambridge England is less than half hour drive from Mildenhall or Lakenheath. I will suggest leaving your car at the car park outskirt of town and taking shuttle bus into town if you plan to visit the city during the week or Saturday because parking space is hard to find.

Cambridge is a city for all seasons. Be inspired by the many beautiful museums and art galleries. Admire the beautiful architecture and majestic college buildings.

Explore quaint passages set around the historic market place and colleges, where a unique and relaxing shopping experience can be found. Here a blend of independent shops is mingled with high street brands.

The University and its 31 colleges dominate the centre with atmospheric cobbled courts, chapels, gardens and bridges, but Cambridge is no museum piece - dramatic modern architecture sits side by side with the traditional, and lovers of architecture will find much to admire.

The street view of Saint Mary Church is on the right, Gonville and Caius College on the left and far left corner is a little corner of Senate House.

Great St Mary’s is the University Church. Its tower was completed in 1608 and provides excellent panoramic views of the City & University Colleges. The chimes from its clock tower were copied for the Westminster chimes at Big Ben in London. Many of the Cambridge Protestant reformers preached in St. Mary’s.

Gonville and Caius is a College in the University of Cambridge. First founded in 1348 as Gonville Hall and re–founded under its present name in 1557.

The street view of Christ’s College is on the right, department store in the front and St Andrew Church on the left.

Christ’s College. The famous scientist Charles Darwin was a student at Christ's College between 1828 & 1831. Founded by Lady Margaret Beaufort, whose coat of arms and statue grace the gatehouse. This was the college of the famous poet John Milton, who was known as the ‘Lady of Christ’s’.

Corpus Christi contains the finest surviving medieval court in Cambridge. The college is also home to the impressive Grasshopper Clock. The college founded by the members of the town guilds of Corpus Christi, & the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1352. Its Old Court is the finest surviving early medieval court in Cambridge. Christopher Marlowe was a former student of Corpus.

The Emmanuel College chapel was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and completed in 1674. It contains a plaque to John Harvard, a former student, who immigrated to New England in the early 1630’s and gave his name to Harvard University.

Holy Trinity has connections with the Evangelical movement, due to the 54 year ministry of Charles Simeon. Work began of the current church in the fourteenth century, and continued through until the nineteenth. Holy Trinity has connections with the Evangelical movement, due to the 54 year ministry of Charles Simeon.

A lonely lady (No, she is my better half) at the front gate of Saint John College and she is lucky that the door was opened.

St John College. The annual Cambridge and Oxford boat race began in 1829, when St John’s College challenged Oxford. A Tudor College, founded by Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII. The college is famous for its neo-gothic Bridge of Sighs. The college chapel, has an impressive tower designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1869. The annual Cambridge and Oxford boat race began in 1829, when St John’s challenged Oxford. Wordsworth and Wilberforce studied here.

Queens’ College. Queens' College is home to the famous wooden Mathematical Bridge. An intimate college founded by Margaret of Anjou and Elizabeth Woodville, both Queens’ of England. The 16th century President's Lodge is one of the few half-timbered college buildings.

The famous wooden Mathematical Bridge was designed by William Etheridge in 1749. Former members include Erasmus of Rotterdam, the first teacher of Greek at the University.

The Senate House, is the parliament building of Cambridge University, it was designed by James Gibbs, & built between 1722 & 1730. This beautiful classical building is where University graduation ceremonies take place.

A visit to King's College Chapel is a truly inspirational experience. It is the largest and most spectacular of the college chapels in Cambridge. The Chapel is the grandest and most beautiful building in Cambridge and ranks amongst the most important examples of perpendicular (late gothic) architecture. Stone, wood and glass combine with music to provide an unforgettable experience under Rubens' Adoration of the Magi. The famous service of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols has been broadcast on the radio since 1928. The poet Rupert Brooke, and the economist Maynard Keynes are former members of King’s.

The Round Church – Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The architecturally stunning Round Church, Cambridge's second oldest building, is 'excellent for orientation.' the Saints and Scholars video introduces Cambridge and our exhibition 'The Cambridge Story: The Impact of Christianity in England' is 'a tremendous snapshot of religious history.'
The church of the Holy Sepulcher is one of only four round churches in England. It is based on the church of the resurrection of which was consecrated in Jerusalem in 335, over the site that Christ rose from the dead. Cambridge’s Norman round church was built in 1130.

City of Cambridge has many shops and boutique stores. We can only do window shopping.

City of Cambridge never lack of pubs and restaurants. There is Chili’s restaurant in town if you are tired of local pub food/fish and chip and hungry for American food.

Cambridge city is a walking city, you can reach everywhere in the central area on foot and be sure that you have a good pair of walking shoe. Do note that some of the pavements are shared use between pedestrians and cyclists. Chance you get hit by bicycle is much higher than get hit by car. Students and locals often use bikes to get around the city.

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Trip Scarecrow Festival Barton Mills England

The first Scarecrow Festival in Barton Mills England took place in 1998. It proved so popular that it grew very quickly, attracting thousands of people to the village over the course of the festival. I saw the advertisement along the highway A11 and decided to visit the village just for fun.

The village of Barton Mills is a parish in Mildenhall district, Suffolk UK. It closed to Mildenhall and near Newmarket. The village has two main claims to fame. Firstly, it was the preferred holiday retreat for Alexander Fleming, the man who discovered penicillin. Secondly, it is home to the annual Scarecrow Festival.

This is a two day event which features music, dancing, food, stalls and, of course, scarecrows! The event even made into the Guinness Book of Records for 'the most scarecrows ever built at any one time'

The area boasts fine walking opportunities.

         If you think you have seen a scarecrow, then think again.

Each year, there is a theme for the Scarecrow Festival.

Hanging out !!

Barton Mills does not boast the type of scarecrows that were once in common use to scare off birds from the fields.

Nice day for a stroll in the village.

Rather than seeing lots of straw as you walk by people's homes, you will be more likely to see a man's suit turned into an outfit for a scarecrow.

Woman dressed up for a night.

Want to go for a ride?

Can’t say.

Nice home in the village.

Good summer day for a walk in the village. The village is about 15 min drive from Newmarket and approximately 25 min from Cambridge. It took me less than 5 min to drive from Mildenhall. It depends on what time of the day, A11 can be congested during the summer month because of the five way roundabout near the village.

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Trip Iceland

Iceland is a volcanic island in the North Atlantic Ocean east of Greenland and immediately south of the Arctic Circle. About 79% of Iceland's land area, which is of recent volcanic origin, consists of glaciers, lakes, a mountainous lava desert, and other wasteland. About 28% of the land is used for grazing, and 1% is cultivated. The inhabited areas are on the coast, particularly in the southwest where about 60% of the population lives.

          Because of the Gulf Stream's moderating influence, the climate is characterized by damp, cool summers and relatively mild but windy winters. We landed at Keflavik, a small fishing town and planned to stay for few days. The August weather turn cold and strong wind but luckily I have heavy coat with me. The local currency is Iceland Krona but Euro and US$ are widely accepted.

         EU granted candidate status to Iceland by formally approving the opening of membership talks. As part of the European Economic Area, Iceland is already a member of the EU's single market. It is also a member of the Schengen Area which removes border controls between member states. Iceland could become an EU member in near future.

          The blue lagoon is located about 40 minutes from the capital Reykjavik and a stone throw from Keflavik. I can see smoke stacks of the power plant from my lodging. The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s most famous attraction. A pool of superheated neon blue water, it is believed to have restorative effects.

          The path to the lagoon entrance has been carved into the lava and the winding shape. It gives the spooky feeling like you are going to be covered by hot lava.

          A popular misconception is that the Blue Lagoon is a naturally occurring hot spring pool; this is not one of them. The water that fills the Blue Lagoon actually comes from a nearby geothermal power plant. The hot water (about 464 degrees Fahrenheit) comes from over 6,000 feet deep below the ground and is used to create electricity for the nearby city of Reykjavik.

          The lagoon gets is vivid blue color from the blue-green algae and white silica mud. This water, which is about 240 degrees C, passes through several processes to generate electricity and then heats water that in turn heats 89% of Icelandic homes. The extra run off forms the blue lagoon which is about 35 degrees C to about 40 degrees C year round.

          The blue lagoon is known as a therapeutic bathing pool. The lagoon has proven health benefits. Scientists say bathing in the lagoon has positive effects on psoriasis and eczema. The lagoon is a very popular tourist attraction, mainly because of the many health benefits. The Blue Lagoon produces and markets the Blue Lagoon skin care products, based on active natural ingredients from the Blue Lagoon.

         No it is not a fountain of youth. This man made waterfall makes for the most powerful and energizing massage! I have tried and felt good but the restoration of my skin has no effect on me. (Possibly it beyond repair).

          Volcano Kerio is a 55 meter deep volcanic crater formed over 3000 years ago after an explosion. It is contains a lake with stunning blue/green water. Located just off the road, you climb the slope up to the crater edge and look over into the waters below. It is pretty spectacular, with the blue/green water being offset by the red soil on the walls of the crater. The crater is in the same route of the famous “Golden Circle”.

         Travelling around Iceland it is interesting to note the different vegetation cover on the older and younger lava flows. Lavas older than 1000 years have a thick growth of moss whereas younger lavas have little vegetation. Should I believe it?

          Geysir (English: Geyser) There are to be seen some of the most famous sights of the island, the geysers. The biggest geysers of Haukadalur valley are Strokkur and Geysir itself, which gave others their name. Strokkur is very dependable and erupts every 5 to 10 minutes, whereas the bigger Geysir has been quiet for some time. There are also a lot of other little hot springs nearby.

         You can see the base of Strokkur, and can watch the heated water swirling and gurgling. As it gets closer to erupting, you can see the pressure building as the water starts to rise slowly in a dome...then all of a sudden off she blows!!.

         Almost as fascinating is after the erupting, the excess water is sucked back down into the hole, just like a sink when you pull out the plug. The Geysir is part of the Iceland famous tour “Golden Circle”. The Golden Circle is a popular tourist route in South Iceland, covering about 300 km looping from Reykjavik into central Iceland and back.

          Gullfoss (English: Golden Falls) The fall also located on the "Golden Circle. We arrive in the top parking lot at the falls, near the visitor center, you can't see the falls, but you can hear the thundering water in the distance. It gets louder as you walk towards the edge of the cliff....and then you look over and see the falls ahead.

          Gullfoss is Iceland's most famous waterfall, and are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. The falls are the most powerful in Europe. The view from up here is great, but for an even better look, there is a 5 minute walk that takes you right onto the rocks at the edge of the falls! Fabulous to be so close to this beautiful natural wonder! Just don't get too close to the edge. I saw a picture of frozen Gullfoss, very impressive and massive ice block.

          A spectacular waterfall that cascades into the mighty Hvita River. Gullfoss is two-tiered waterfall - the two levels of falls making this an extremely awe-inspiring sight. There is the first drop with foaming water surging over rocks, and then the second drop is into a narrow canyon which is 70 meters deep and 2.5 kilometers long. The spray that comes up from the falls is pretty impressive - be prepared to get a little wet.

          During World War II the military airfield served as a refueling and transit depot. During the Cold War, NAS Keflavik played an important role in monitoring marine and submarine traffic from the Norwegian and Greenland Seas into the Atlantic Ocean. Forces from the United States Air Force were added to provide radar monitoring, fighter intercept, in-flight refueling, and aerial/marine rescue. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, however, the base's role was cast into doubt. The base officially closed on 30 September 2006.

          The 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull are relatively small for volcanic eruptions, caused enormous disruption to air travel across western and northern Europe over an initial period of six days in April 2010. Few of my co-workers stranded in Europe’s cities for few days waiting for sky to open up and I did not hear any complaint when they got back in the office (umm….). cr-image Bryanjar Gauti

          The overall landscape of the Iceland is spectacular. The land is very empty, bare land, no trees and it can pass for a lonely planet. Iceland is one of the least densely populated countries in the world (less than 320,000 and rank 233 of 240). cr-image Henrik Thorburn.

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