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And Here We Are

A Quintessentially British Pastime

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There is something I had been wanting to do ever since we arrived here… Something that just seemed so idyllic, it was hard to believe it was as fun and charming and relaxing as it really looked. And somehow, it took forever for us to get around to doing it. I blame the weather. I wanted it to be just right, so I wouldn’t be let down. And, I wanted to do it with friends. I knew it would be much more fun that way.

Can you guess what it is? Here’s a hint:

There was just one sunny, beautiful day sandwiched between weeks of miserable weather, and we happened to catch it. Friends Sarah, Jake and little Maren made the trek out from Oxford to meet us for a picnic and punting in Cambridge. The light was golden, and we were able to go without coats for one gorgeous day. There really isn’t a whole lot to explain… I’ll just show you.

Here are Sarah and Maren, who sat across from Amelia and me. The papas were on either end of the boat, alternately punting and oaring– thanks, guys!

Here were some very enterprising young men. Gauging by the comportment of many of the other boaters, their business was booming!

Everyone was out enjoying the day, not just the ones in boats…

I loved the mix of sunny and shady spots along the river– so beautiful.

It’s a spectator sport!

And then, there was the architecture…. Incredible! We passed along the backs of all the Cambridge colleges.

 I mean, can you imagine calling this your campus?

It was just as fun and idyllic as I had hoped, definitely made much more fun by our sweet friends… And no one fell in!

Now that we’ve tried it, we cannot wait to go punting again… Have you tried it before?

P.S. You can pay our friends a visit over here, where Sarah writes about life in a little village near Oxford.

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Comments

  3. Kristen says

    I love punting! I went when I was visiting Oxford – it was so fun! There’s something so organic about using man power to float down a river. And what a way to do something fun with friends. Thanks for taking us along with you!

    -Kristen

    Reply

    • Ariana says

      It was so fun, super relaxed and beautiful. I’d love to go in Oxford, as well… That would be fun road-trip, wouldn’t it?! Punting all over England…

      Reply

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