First Watch

First Watch, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

A pride without prejudice today... Took the Godchildren to Woburn Safari Park, about 30-40 miles west of Cambridge. It's a great place, well worth visiting – in fact I think I liked it more than the teenagers.... The weather was great and the kids put up with me pointing and waving at the man-eating animals but I have to say, not even I need signs such as this.... Crazy.

Curious Detail

DetailGate, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Most visitors to the city would look at this over the entrance of Trinity Great Gate and work out that Edward III founded the college in 1337. They'd be wrong. In fact, as the college 'about' page states: 'Trinity College was founded by Henry VIII in 1546, combining Michaelhouse and King's Hall. Michaelhouse had existed since 1324; King's Hall had been established by Edward II in 1317 and refounded by Edward III in 1337. Trinity's flag, flown on special occasions, has as its design the royal standard of Edward III'. Obviously, I knew this well before I looked it up today....=}

Of course, there are still other visitors who'd immediately think of

7h3 q51(|{ br0wn ph0x j5mp$ 0v3r 7h3 #42% P09. and the less said about that, the better...

Subtle Saloon

X Keys, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

So busy these days. Seriously. I know nobody believes me but I really am for once... Anyway, grabbed this as I cycled past the other day - the pub has just changed hands I think and the new folk are clearly banking on a bright new look boding well for a brighter future. I like yellow but I'm amazed it hasn't caused accidents. I mean, it's night-time in this shot...

American Cemetery III

Cal, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Still at the American Cemetery today. I liked this shot mainly because California was the state I visited last but also because the juxtaposition of California's image as the fun, sunshine state imposed against the Latin Crosses in the background gave me pause. It's taken through one of the window panels in the chapel. I think as a picture I prefer Down but I wanted to post this and I figure we've had enough maudlin images this week – tomorrow we move on. Although I will also link to Reflection as I like it despite its being the most standard shot you could have of the place.

American Cemetery II

Liberty, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

Probably Richard Jackson although frequently attributed to Benjamin Franklin.

Rows

Rows, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Curious coincidence today. I was passing the American Cemetery here in Cambridge and I remembered that I'd heard that the Battle of Iwo Jima ended today in 1945 (I'd been thinking about seeing Clint Eastwood's flik). More than 4500 Americans had been killed and 22,000 Japanese troops had died or been taken captive. Obviously most of those buried here lost their lives in operations over Europe. So having my camera in the car I stopped and shot a few off which I'll post over the next few days. Talking of photos, Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jimo was the site of probably the most famous military photograph of the war.

Yasai Yaki Soba 'n Yorkshire Pud...

Teri Aki, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

With sunlight gilding the streets and filling my soul (!) I jumped on the (now-pretty-knackered) bike and did a few miles around the 'posh' side of Cambridge before heading over to Quayside to grab lunch at Teri Aki, a Japanese restaurant in a great location and with a fun atmosphere. It gets mixed reviews and I have to admit that it frequently scores higher in diligence than attainment but I still enjoy going – especially with a bunch of mates for an evening meal when the bench-seating arrangement add to the noisy communal atmosphere.

The View From My Terrace

Burj Al Arab, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Ok, so it clearly isn't. But the miasma of drizzle and mist enveloping Cambridge today meant that I didn't bother leaving home. I was searching for an interesting, relevant, location-specific piece of photographic genius (!) in my archives when I chanced upon this and was instantly transported back 10 days or so to when I was sitting drinking coffee and watching the world (literally) go by in the bright and brilliant Arabian sunshine of Dubai. I guess I'm just suffering from S.A.D. today...

Shoebag

Shoebag, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

“What spirit is so blind that it cannot recognise that the foot is nobler than the shoe and skin more beautiful than the garment with which it is clothed?” - Michelangelo

Mind you, I do think this ensemble's excellent. Must be my inner girl... This shop is in Green Street - one of the few remaining areas of the city not completely overrun by chain stores. Although it does house Sainsbury's, Borders, Past Times and of course this one, Ecco.

Shoes: Designed To Move You. D'ya see what they did there....? heh

Too Oft is a Smile

Smile, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

But a hypocrite's wile...

I'm seeing this all over the place these last couple of months. This one is at the end of Trinity Lane– it's opposite another at Green St/Trinity St. Being as uncool, un-trendy and as un-in-touch with the zeitgeist as I am, I have no idea what it's about – but I like it. I know it's the title of Tracey Emin's 2005 exhibition and that she got it from a text she sent to a bereaved friend. But what text? Is it famous? I've found some fairly lame poetry featuring it but that doesn't seem the source. What does it mean in the graffiti-context? Of course, Byron(with his bear) attended Trinity and the quote is from his poem The Tear. It seems sadly unlikely though that the artist here is referencing that.

Anyway I can't feel your smile; but then I have no soul. I might feel a smirk I guess...perhaps more of a wry grimace....

22 Fitzwilliam Street

Mr D., originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Cambridge, CB2 1QH

“Man with all his noble qualities, with sympathy which feels for the most debased, with benevolence which extends not only to other men but to the humblest living creature, with his god-like intellect which has penetrated into the movements and constitution of the solar system- with all these exalted powers- Man still bears in his bodily frame the indelible stamp of his lowly origin”.

Where Do You Want To Go Today?

Where2, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Whether you think you should revisit the Botanics, the Scott Polar Research Institute, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropologyor maybe discover the Whipple and the museums of Zoology or Geology; if you really want to forge your own way and embrace independence, individuality and initiative then Today – You Want To Go Here. Come join us, you'll love it.

The World Famous Temptation

Fitzbillies, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Sweet dreams are made of this. Who am I to disagree? You travel the world and the seven seas. Everybody's looking for something.

But only you know the solution to what everybody needs. Which is a (secret recipe) Chelsea Bun. From Fitzbillies. Cake makers to royalty, celebrity, rich, infamous and me. Apologies to Annie...

Boarded Up and Forgotten

Station, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

But not by yours truly. Cambridge sits on the edge of the Fens, a large area, approx. 1 million acres, of East Anglia. The whole area used to be under water and everyone from the Romans on tried to drain them in order to use the ultra-fertile land. Success was limited (with a good effort by Dutchman Cornelius Vermuyden, the architect of the drainage infrastructure) until the arrival of steam power in the early 19th Century which meant that the previously unreliable wind-powered pumps were replaced by engines and more recently by diesel and electric pumps. Their efficiency is such that now many of the older pumping stations are now unused, like this one near Earith– a beet's throw from where I grew up and about 15 miles outside Cambridge. I've always been tempted to buy this, do a tv-makeover thing, and live a Ratty-esque life on the river, communing with nature. But the flaw would be mosquitos surely?

Shazbat.

Mullard, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Spent hours today being a rock nerd and compiling my favourite 100 tracks of the Rock Era. How lame is that? So having done that and put them all on the mp3 player I had to get out of the house. I put it on the car stereo and drove, singing loudly and with great vocal prowess, a few miles outside Cambridge to a non-village called Lord's Bridge (near Haslingfield) where the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory is based. I'm always fascinated by the arrays they have there and today I stopped and took this shot of one of the antennae. Here's the google satellite of them all. Although interesting, astronomy's way over this commentator's head but it is reassuring to know that these silent sentinels are scanning the skies (overdoing the alliteration a tad) for alien activity...

The list, sadly in alphabetical order because the system overthrew me, is here. I know – you disagree with my choices. But I'm ok with that...

Nanu nanu.

Wrendered Beauty

Emma, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

One of three buildings in Cambridge designed by Christopher Wren (the others being the Wren Libraryof Trinity College and the chapel in Pembroke) Emmanuel College's chapel is quite gorgeous. Built 1668-74, it has a symmetry and grace that speak for themselves although it's not quite as spectacular as the library. See the whole facade here. For once I 'm not sure the angle does it justice but I don't have a straight shot so I'll point you to this one. Either way, the building's stunning.

Towering Information

UL, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

If there's one building that exemplifies Cambridge for me it is the University Library. One of five copyright libraries in the UK (it's entitled to receive a copy of every book and journal published) it pretty much dominates the skyline of the city when viewed from the west. Only Addenbrooke's charnel chimneys match it for prominence. Built 1931-34, it was designed by Giles Gilbert Scott who also designed Bankside power station in London which is now home to Tate Modern– perhaps you can see the similarity... But what most people don't know is that he also designed what is perhaps, alongside the double-decker bus, the pre-eminent icon of 20th Century Britain. I'm assuming you've guessed....

200 Today...

CDP 200, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

This is my 200th post. It'll be about nothing, as usual, but it is a red-number day. What I've found most amazing though is that, apart from my frequent business (holiday...) trips, I've only missed about five days. And people say I'm bed-wettingly-terrified of commitment?! I brush my teeth less frequently.

Eric started something great and I still think it's a fantastic project which has engendered a thriving and inclusive community of like-minded folk around the world so, depending on your point of view, the good or bad news is that I have no intention of stopping. As we all know, the obligation - although minor - can be time-consuming and damned inconvenient but we know from the stats and the comments that the effort is appreciated. Sometimes only by a few but they are a very discerning few...

Here's to all the good people of our DP-world! Oh, and Ame...

N.

Sunnier Climes

Fresh, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Competely forgot to mention that I have to disappear for a few days. In the meantime have a great week and keep it warm for me. Back next Wednesday. Business trip you understand.... honest....

Thatcher's Britain

Thatch, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Today I headed over to Barrington - one of the most archetypally traditional English villages near Cambridge, about 5 miles to the west of the city. Thatched cottages abound, there's a huge village green on which soccer is played and cricket drawn-out and of course there is The Royal Oak- a lovely beamed hostelry where the food is enjoyable and the atmosphere welcoming. I of course only go to the village for the architecture, soccer and cricket...

Unplanned, Soulless, Multi-Storey Mess

Malvedere, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

...or “an architectural residential masterpiece” depending on who you ask. It's the central residential development of many in this area of recent regeneration- the whole area is a huge building site at the moment. This is The Belvedere or 'Malvedere' as many have termed it. You're looking at the Tower which contains the principle residence of the complex – a three bedroom flat. Sold last yearfor £1.5 million. Seriously. Here's the floorplan. Only one living area so if you fall out with your partner you're either sulking in your bedroom or on the roof in the rain. Oneandahalfmillionquid. Crazy. Especially when you'll be woken every morning by “The 6.22 a.m service to London Kings Cross will depart 20 minutes late from platform one.” echoing the twenty feet from the station next door. Not my kind of thing but it's certainly dramatic. Or maybe I'm just jealous...

Everwhere. And Lots to Drink

LWT, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

I've always been drawn to water towers (excellent unintentional pun) for some reason and today, with the sun making a somewhat coy appearance I took the car a few miles to the south of the city to grab a shot of this imposing example up on Rivey Hill near Linton. (Google's satellite viewof the area is great. I know they're taking over the world but they do do so much so well we'll at least be happily enslaved...) And whilst ferreting around for information on it I came across this painting of it by local artist Richard Read and thought you might enjoy the rest of his stuff. Anyway, if you're lucky this will be the first and last of the ubiquitous water towers of Cambridgeshire...

Royal Blue

Blue, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Sidney Sussex's Blue Porcupine today, to be found unsurprisingly in Sussex Street. Rather cool. Have a great weekend!

Senate House

Senate S, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Ok, so today's not going perfectly. Ubuntu is great, I love it. Except that various programs don't work (because I've not done it properly obviously...) and now Picasa's gone loopy and I've lost the picture that I was going to put up. So you've got one from last summer showing the Senate House the week exam results came out. The building is gorgeous, designed by James Gibbs and built between 1722 and 1730.