Right In The Middle Of The Road

Now where could we go in Cambridge to see pictures relating the history and scenery of the city? The University Library? The Museum? Art galleries?

How about the Elizabeth Way traffic island? The traffic here veers in a wild vortex making its way between Newmarket Road (which leads east), East Road (which doesn't) and of course Elizabeth Way itself. You'd be a fool to try to cross the road here, so you're directed underground.

There's a little oasis of tranquility down here, albeit one with traffic whizzing round overhead. There are a few trees and even a garden of sorts.

And what few graffiti there are have a bit more class and artistic merit than some you'll see.

But these are not the pictures we've come to see; they are in the narrow tunnels that burrow under the roads to meet in this central space. And here they are....

This one celebrates Stourbridge Fair that was held just outside the old city and was once the largest trading fair in the country and probably in Western Europe. Because of the length of these murals and the narrow passages in which they are situated it's impossible to view them all in one go - let alone photograph them. I did think I'd join several images but even that was difficult so I'll just present you with a few selections.

Another interpretation of a medieval fair.

And more details from the fair.

Punts on the river, as seen from a bridge.

Cows in the riverside meadows.

Romans in Cambridge.

This seems to be about the hustle and bustle of city life, and modern inventions.

Finally a view of the densely-packed Victorian housing around Mill Road.

And that's where we'll leave it and make our way back up to street level.

Take care.