Huntingdon highlights.

Due to the rain, and the jobs carried out, we didn't get our walk round the Paxton Pits reserve, so we decided to do it this morning that was restored to the 'normal' nice warm and sunny weather.

Sand and gravel have been worked in this area for centuries, and most of the homes in the area will have used the products of the pits in their construction. The reserve is famous for its nightingales and cormorants. The cormorants were very noisy in the trees, but I don't think we would recognise a nightingales call if we heard it. We felt a little out of place as we didn't have a dof with us, where as everybody else did! Mind you very few seemed to follow the rule about keeping them on a lead.

The gravel pits expanded significantly during WWII as the gravel was used in the construction of the many airfields that were constructed for the war effort. There were a lot of American bases in Cambridgeshire and other local counties. I think this equipment that is in the working area of the pits is similar to a moon base or similar sci-fi setting.

After our two mile walk we let go from the trees and spun round to head north a again. The first lock of the day was Offord Lock. The rail line from London to Peterborough and points north comes close and we saw two Hull Trains pass. I realised that this is the bit of thre river that I have often seen as I look out of the window on the way to London. It has always been dark on the way back, so not seen then. These two guys were at a  Buckden Marine Park still waiting for the nibbles from the fish and from the bar by the look of them.

By Brampton Lock I noticed this stone. What a nice spot to be remembered, and nice to be remembered at all I suppose.

We were hoping to get a mooring at Godmanchester but there was a fete or something going on and they were all full. Never mind we proceeded down the lock and found a berth just through Huntingdon Bridge and opposite the mill. It was built in the mid 1800's as an oil cake factory. Later, in WWI it was used as a military clothing depot, and a hosiery mill from 1924 until its closure in 1972. It is n ow flats. Behind was another mill, for flour, and the Godmanchester station.

After a bite of lunch we walked into Huntingdon to find it very busy. There was a beach event with kids and parents on their hands and knees and chairs in the a pile of tipped sand in the market square. I wonder if the sand came from Paxton Pits? Opposite we saw that the Oliver Cromwell museum was open so we went in! It started out as an infirmary hall of the Hospital of St. John the Baptist in the second half of the 12th Century.. In 1565 became the Huntingdon Grammar School. It became the Oliver Crowell Museum in 1962. The man himself was born just down the High Street in 1599.

Across Market Square is the Town hall that was built in 1745 but has been altered and added to many times over the years. It has law courts, council chambers and a ball room.

There are several nice Georgian houses in the town and this one, Whitwell House, was built in 1727. It seems to have too many windows for it's size so it should be nice and bright inside. The wrought iron railings and gate are also very nice.

All Saints Church is next to the Market Square and has remains from its Norman beginnings.  It has the font from another town church, St. John's, that was badly damaged in the Civil War and demolished in 1660. The font is thought to be the one in which Oliver Cromwell was christened. I loved these musicians on the outside. From left to right, a drummer, a violin type stringed instrument, a harp or lyre and a a pipe or flagolet.

Minerva stands proudly atop the Commemoration Hall that was built in 1842 as the Literary and Scientific Institute that had public rooms, library, museum and for the less studious, a billiard room. It closed in 1954 but was renovated and reopened in 1960.