Punt Hill Williamstown, Melbourne

Advantages: Relaxing, fun, chance to the 'Backs'
Disadvantages: If you punt yourself you may fall in!

...Before being accepted to the summer school at Cambridge I had no idea what Punting was. When I saw it was on the timetable for one of the sessions during the week I decided I should find out! A punt is a square-ended boat, which has a flat bottom and is usually propelled using a long pole. Punts were introduced to provide stable craft, which could be used in areas of water too shallow for rowing conventional craft. Punting has now become one of the most popular ways to see the famous bridges and colleges along the River Cam. There are two routes that you can take along the river in a punt. One of these is the Upper River, towards Granchester (a small village) and the other is along the Middle River, which passes the famous college Backs. We took the latter of these routes and I thoroughly enjoyed it! ~ A little bit... Read review

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Advantages: Subtle delicious bitter-sweet flavour
Disadvantages: Hard to find - and has it been changed recently?

...It wouldn't surprise me if you'd never heard of Punt e Mes. Even most wine merchants didn't seem to have heard of it, when I looked on the net and even made a few calls to investigate prices and availability. Certainly very few stock it. It was a bit of an oddity when I first tried it thirty or forty years ago, but it has become only less well known and harder to find ever since. Punt e Mes can still be found, but probably not by simply looking on the shelves of your local supermarket or off-licence. This is a pity, because it is a drink with a most distinctive - and to my taste quite delicious - flavour. * What is it? * Punt e Mes is an aperitif or rather, since it is Italian rather than French, I suppose I should say aperitivo. It's intended to be drunk as a refresher before a meal, or just as a refresher; the meal... Read review

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Advantages: Good fun, beautiful scenery
Disadvantages: Possibilities of falling in if punting yourself!

...Punting is one of the most traditional things to do on a summers day in Cambridge. When the weather is good, it can often get quite busy, but that only adds to the excitement (especially if doing the punting yourself!). Punts can be hired in several locations around the city; you can either go through the more country route from Grantchester (where there are fantastic outdoor tea rooms in an orchard), or along the 'Backs' of Cambridge, past the likes of Kings College. Either offers a very scenic view! Especially in summer, there are often a number of people trying to entice you to their punts. There are several different companies, including ones such as Scudamores. Punts range in sizes and prices; you can either punt yourself, or hire a 'chauffeured' punt, whilst your guide gives you a history of the beautiful scenery and buildings... Read review

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