S.T.S


So we're back to the Standard Tourist Shot; but sometime's that's not so bad. Seeing the everyday in new ways can be a good thing. In literature, and especially theological literature, it's all about the alternative interpretation of texts (and art etc) - I just thinking of it as reinventing the door. Of course, that has nothing to do with this shot which is a pretty standard view of the "Wedding Cake" cupola of New Court, St John's College. Of course, those pesky, crazy Night Climber chappies of the 30s reinvented it as a Matterhorn...

Fancy some Sweet Potato Redfish with Kumquat? It's being prepared over here on the other blog. Well, when I say 'prepared' I mean the recipe from the 30-days-from-arrival, earth-shatteringly good, sit-down-and-read-in-one-sitting, even-made-me-laugh-and-cry Mystic Pig novel is being posted for you to make and invite me round to try...

Oh, and later in the week we'll have that whole hermeneutics razzle dazzle on the table... I'm sure you won't want to miss that heh

S'later

Floatation Device


Ok, so the more switched-on of you guys might notice that this isn't Cambridge. Even the more charitable of you would balk at suggesting it was the trout lake in my garden. So I'll admit that it is in fact Skjolden at the head of the Sognefjorden - the longest fjord in Norway. I just wanted to show the colour of the water. Here's another even more startling example, un-photoshopped:


Astonishing isn't it? Had a great time, thanks. Now back with no more holidays planned - how sad is that? Tomorrow the blog will be back on Cambridge. Possibly more exciting is that we're almost a month away from the Pig's appearance - I've got the eventual winner in the cover stakes up on the other blog; why not check it out?

Mañana

System Down...

Ah - sorry. Was told that the ship I'm on had internet access so assumed I'd be able to continue posting- but sadly not. Am stuck in the Fjords - which are lovely obviously - but can't do any of the work I was meant to be doing.... oops...Back Friday :)

I'm Honoured.


This is the gate into my garden. Ok, so it's not - but wouldn't that be so great? When I make my billions I'm going to have an entrance just like this. It's the Gate of Honour in Gonville and Caius College - they also have a Gate of Humility and a Gate of Virtue - neither of which I'm familiar with heh... That's the university's Old Library in the background by the way. The college is well worth visiting; despite being right in the centre of town it seems to get a little overshadowed by its flashier neighbours - King's, Trinity and St John's.

Talking of flashy, there are fireworks over in the other place. In the end though, we figured there are enough sparkles and explosions inside without going all Mardi Gras on its cover...

BRINGING HOME THE BACON

Above, Beyond


The Fitzwilliam Museum is a place I mention occasionally on the blog - mainly because it's one of the greatest privately-held collections in the country and indeed, it does hold an awful lot of wonder within its beautiful lion-guarded walls. One of my favourite parts however, is the ceiling of the entrance portico. You can't really tell from the picture too well but the carvings here are about a foot deep and utterly intricate in their detail. Simply stunning. I tend to stand here mouth agape, head back, staring up whilst all the tourists swarm round me heading straight for the Monets or whatever...

P.s. - Thanks for all the nice things you're saying about the other thing; I'm getting good reviews on the cookies already. But seriously, where are mine??

THIS LITTLE PIG'S OFF TO MARKET...

Carved in Silence


After yesterday's unmitigated glee I thought we could all slow down and be a little contemplative today. I love this shot - the texture leaps out; it's like you could touch it. The statue stands in the Mill Road cemetery - an amazing slice of tranquility inches from one of the busiest roads in the city. It's a good place to relax and spend your lunch hour - if the sun ever comes out that is. Sadly the angel is a little damaged - one of her wings has been snapped off; she could actually be fallen...

But I'm still gleeful about the Pig of course. I can't help myself. Especially now that people have already started getting on board, emailing me and asking for copies to be reserved for them. Itellya, we're going to take this little pig to market in a big way :-p On the other blog I'm relating the fortuitous tale of Mystic Pig's provenance - check it out:

NO PIGS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS.

Glee


This pic makes me smile. I used to be a huge fan of fairground rides when I was a kid - not that long ago of course... My birthday is Midsummer's Day so I'd always go to the Midsummer Fair for a birthday treat. I think part of the fun is forcing a parent to go on the most radical ones with you - although this chap is safe on this particular ride I think. The kids are clearly loving it too. Of course, then I got old and boring and started noticing the rusty hinges, brackets, bolts; the frayed safety lines and cables; the dodgy nature of the guy running the ride... And then I got older still and found sites like this (Don't go here if you like fairground rides!!) and I voted with my feet. I still remember the absolute divorce from terra-firma drudgery when we hit Mach 2 with wind in your hair and bugs in your teeth! Ok - more like 20 mph...

Talking of glee - I have a new thing goin' on. The company is publishing one of the best reads I've ever come across. I'm immensely excited about it - but ya know, I tend to be a bit like that... Anyway - thought you might be interested in its slightly circuitous provenance so am pointing you in the direction of a lil ol' blog I've started about it over here. What's it about? I hear you yell - Well... It's a novel about life and love, death and despair, acceptance, denial, murder, sex - and fine cuisine. Not necessarily in that order.

The Eagle

Sad Sack, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Was here last night so thought I'd remind new visitors to the blog of this historic building. These ‘tags’ were burnt into the ceiling of one bar of The Eagle pub by members of the RAF and USAF stationed at the local airbases - of which there were many throughout East Anglia. The names are burnt into the ceiling using candles and lighters. Back in the days when smoking was good for you… There’s a little display on the wall showing an original picture of the Memphis Belle and crew above another of the Hollywood actors from the movie with the plane and the remaining crew – quite poignant. Anyway, the pub (which is not one of my favourites, truth be told) was gutted and refurbed quite well in the early 90s and is very popular with locals, students and tourists alike. The pub is also famous for being the venue in which Watson and Crick announced that they had discovered the secret of life – DNA.

Of course, the real secret of life is Flowers' Original beer obviously...

Spooky...

CF, originally uploaded by Neorelix.

Talkin' a lil while back now, school days.... We used to hang out down here by the river in the final summer term - exam time. Smokin', drinkin', cussin' - maybe a lil foolin' around. Except me of course - I'd be back at home revising.

Totally Rad Man...


Ah yes... one of the finer watering holes in Cambridge. And the smallest. The St. Radegund Arms in King Street. Small, cosy and unpretentious it serves an excellent range of Milton Brewery beers - any of which you're free to buy me next time you're here. I'll even breathe in a little to let you get to the bar...

Another Time...


...it was almost like this yesterday, people wearing jackets and coats in the middle of August. We pay enough taxes to get a proper summer surely...? Anyway, this is either spring or autumn - can't remember which - in Trinity Street. Trinity College on the left, St John's straight ahead. Huge hits with the tourists as you can imagine. Our company held conferences at St Johns and I remember American delegates staying there would frequently complain about the low ceilings, narrow stairways and the lack of en-suite facilities (in the medieval accommodation!)...

Thatched


Well, back from sunny fabulous France to rain and summer temps of 16 degrees - how lame is that? I'm wondering why we all stay here at the moment but views like the above help to renew enthusiasm for Ol' Blighty. Barrington - a gorgeous chocolate-box village jsut down the road. Home of The Royal Oak too - great food, good beer, fantastic setting. Mine's a pint...

Break Time


Am off to the Continent so will have to resume this slice of trivia on my return. Am going to somewhere near Carcassonne where friends, cheese and wine await. Enjoy the week - au revoir!

More Sax Please, We're British


Yeah, I was just wandering down by the Cam earlier and all of a sudden I had a flashback to an earlier, more innocent era when jazz was cool and a euro was a franc... This chap, probably heartbroken, cast aside no doubt by a wench of inconstant affection, played out his soul's torment on the banks of the Seine. Girls are so mean...