Politically Correct...

Regret, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

...Seasonal Greetings etc. Happy Tuesday. Trust you're all having a great time and enjoying the ministrations of family, friends and any waifs and strays that have arrived on your doorstep looking for entertainment and presents. I am heading off to be a waif/stray for a few days so am not sure when I'll be able to post next. Control your anguish, please. Go here instead - and don't forget to use my loyalty card...

Trinity

Trinity, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Spent yesterday trudging around the shops getting last minute gifts (along with half the male population of Cambridge - the other half will presumably be heading out today...) but managed to fit in a wander around the Backs and into Trinity where we saw these hardy folks out on the river - they must be on the holiday of a lifetime :). That's St. John's providing the impressive backdrop.

Opacity

Light, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

This is getting silly now. On the left we have the uninspiring Queen Anne Car Park dropped alongside the dull but respectable Gonville Hotel. Terraced Victorian buildings take us to Hyde Park Corner where the majestic Catholic Church raises its impressive 65 metre spire over that hideous 60's office block to the right which houses Lloyds TSB bank. Then come other nondescript buildings before we reach the pleasant rear aspect of the listed Regent Hotel. Gorgeous don't you think...?

A Very Berry Xmas (sorry...)

Berries, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

I guess there's no getting away from it. After three days of freezing temperatures and foggy vistas I've realised that winter is actually here and probably staying. Which is ok for those of us not having to travel I guess but not so much for those wanting to head off to gatherings with friends and family for the festive break but stuck at airports. Of course, there is a cruel irony evident in that many trying to escape the harsh conditions are unable to do so because of said inclement weather...

X-mas t-boX

T-Box, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

I got a nice card yesterday which inspired me, when I came across this scene, to, well, copy it. Of course, the card was in focus. And much better all round in fact...heh. We're just by Hobson's Brook looking over to the entrance to the Leys School - empty and quiet now due to the little darlings having returned to make their parents' houses full and noisy...

Winter Whispers In

Winter, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Today it's unromantically freezing. I think the scene looks ethereal and fable-worthy... but in reality it was just downright cold :) I think that when my fingers warm up I'll head over to Expedia and try and get me some of that winter sun - In fact, a Caribbean Christmas sounds perfect...

Keep Your Faith

Magdalene, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

I like the crest and motto of Magdalene College so thought I would post this, an otherwise dull shot. Perhaps I could bore everyone and post the crests and mottos of all 31 colleges... that's a whole month of breathless excitement heh. Anyway, today's post is dedicated to a good friend who helped me get the grotty kids' xmas gifts and to the benefits of both soup and noodles.

It's Not All Black and White

Hat, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Another spectacular day today and I was all set to post a typical Cambridge vista of river and/or Backs and/or colleges and/or worthy people singing carols in aid of a disaster somewhere, when I spotted this and figured the student who climbed out and placed this was drunk and/or brave enough to warrant internet infamy. So it's a surprisingly festive fellow from Gonville and Caius' Tree Court Tower gate at the end of King's Parade. Made me smile...

Judge for Yourself

Judge, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Today, the warm embrace of the winter sun enticed everyone out (or they were just desparately assuaging a year's parenting guilt in the shops ahead of next week's trial-by-peer-pressure fest ;-p ) and I joined them; in so doing I walked past this, to my mind one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. It used to be the Old Addenbrookes Hospital but that moved out of town and it is now home to the Judge Institute of Management Studies. A violently verbose but nonetheless interesting story of its history and adaptation to its present incarnation can be found here. It's also the day-job workplace of this photographer who you should check out. Anyway, sadly it's back to the madding crowds tomorrow. My trouble is there's only so many charity shops in a small city like this and finding something for everyone is tough...

Reality Regained

RC1, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Flew by the Checkpoint just as the glowering sky edged the light into an ethereal glow that struck me as beautiful. Boring but complete in my opinion - I like it. Happy Friday everyone.

Choices

Choices, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Thursday. This time of year my vision is filled with displays like this. I have no idea what to pick, it's all beautiful, all shiny and all probably hideously tasteless. But still you charge in and pick something in the desperate hope that they'll like it... I'd rather stick to what I know but you can't get them The Godfather ultimate collection every year....

By Jiminy


Wednesday's Post. Out of focus but still a cool thing, spotted off Gonville Place in the new Greshams development I think it was - just grabbed it as I cycled past. You'd not want a plague of these coming to town would you? 

Gloaming

Gloaming, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

The weather has turned cold now after a very long mild autumn. We've had a lot of rain and although the lights are making the centre look warm and cosy, I can assure you it's not...

A frightening malevolence has suddenly emerged in Ipswich just down the A14 in the last few weeks. Five young women have now been murdered. I'm bereft of understanding at this tragic situation and my thoughts are with their families and friends.

Light Falls

Light Falls, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

I quite like the simplicity of the lights on the Guildhall at Christmas. Curtain or waterfall? Electric gossamer maybe. Whatever, I think the lights in the town centre are good this year - sophisticated, dignified and restrained whilst still brightening the mood. A low-cal lightshow - celebration lite maybe...

Would Smell as Sweet...

Rose, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

I keep walking past this and forgetting to catch a shot to post even though it's one of my favourite Cambridge buildings. Situated on Emmanuel Road it's not very prepossessing I know but I have a soft spot for ex-pubs. I'm sure you've guessed that it used to be called The Golden Rose. I'm not sure when it stopped serving beer - before my time that's for sure but I'm pleased that the subsequent occupants have kept the facade original - especially the curved doors and, of course, the rose itself. And regarding the quote, I suspect Bonham's (auctioneers) smells a lot sweeter than the pub did...

Unwelcome Evening

Evening, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

I was wandering, freezing, down Senate House Passage in the early evening and for some reason the shape/shadow structure of these welcoming (!) spikes against the warm stone of Gonville and Caius Library in the lamplight caught my eye. And as I had nothing else to post...

Btw, sadly (as noted in previous post's comments) it looks like they've found the missing student.

Drained

Jesus Lock, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

... which is unfortunately true to the reality. A 21 year-old student went missing after a formal dinner last week. The river's been emptied to enable police to search for his body. Sadly, fruitlessly so far.

Under the Boardwalk

Boardwalk, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

(Wednesday's late post.) There's been a different look to the river in the last week or so as it's been partially drained. All the narrow and houseboats have been moved further along the river and punts locked up like this have been left high and, partially, dry. I noticed the ducks were having a feeding frenzy though - I guess the lower level brings more food within their reach. What with the recent sour-turn in the weather it all looks a bit bleak and depressing...

From Within

SS Cloisters, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

(Tuesday's late post.) Still at Sidney Sussex and now inside the cloister shown in the previous pic. I just like this perspective shot so thought I'd post it.

Cloistered Away

SS Cloister Court, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

(Monday's late post)...Cloister Court around the other side. An attractive but unspectacular design in my eyes - but I know nothing about architecture so it's bound to be the finest example of neo-blaxberry since sliced bread. But back to those interviews - here's the page that the tremulous teens can refer to for preparation - scary huh?

It's Time to Admit...

SS Chapel, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

(Sunday's late post.) There are admissions interviews going on at the moment at the University and the town is full of nervous-looking, smartly-dressed teenagers wandering around, looking a bit lost, with or without parents. Because of this the doors were wide open at Sidney Sussex College which I'd not been in before so I took the opportunity to check it out. I'm glad I did as there are some great buildings and spaces. This is the Chapel. Statuesque and imposing; glowering almost I thought. And then there's...

Little World

Little Trinity, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

(Saturday's late post.) This beautiful building, Little Trinity (but is actually part of Jesus College), was built in 1725 and is situated in Jesus Lane. It provides post-graduate student accommodation. It's pretty dull and institutional inside but outside looks stunning as you can see. A friend of mine was on holiday in Libya once and took a trip over the desert for, like, ten hours (you know how these tales go) to get to an isolated oasis billions of miles from anywhere. Having travelled halfway round the world and across the scorched desert in temperatures that would beat lesser men (!) my pal arrived at the oasis only to find another chap there. He was Enlgish and lived in this building - about 400 yards from my friend's house. Amazingly small world.

Unbrella Tree

Unbrella Tree, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Today's is just a drive-by shot. Or a cycle-by shot in fact; but it amused me and as today is Friday I thought a little irrelevance would be ok. Not that any of my posts are ever really relevant...

Duxford 2

DSC01128, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Thursday's late post is of two more of Duxford's many exhibits - there are so many and the standard shots are always of the Spitfires or the Hurricances so I picked a couple I'd never heard of. And promptly forgot what they were...