Crossing Clare Bridge Over the Cam

Today, I walked through Clare College and across Clare Bridge, over the river Cam, towards Queen's Rd. It is the oldest bridge in Cambridge. Fourteen stone balls decorate it, one of which has a missing section which can't be seen from this view as it faces the river. The story most commonly cited by members of the college, is that the original builder did not get paid his full amount of money, so removed a segment of one stone ball to balance the difference in payment. Some say a wedge of stone cemented in as a repair job, became loose and fell into the river, but I much prefer the first account.