Because I'm trying to spare my foot and also Monty is a reluctant walker I've been driving to more interesting places to start a dog walk rather than setting off from home. Today my usual parking spaces were occupied so I ended up in the depths of Newnham and wandered over on to Sheep's Green. One of the best things about Cambridge is the amount of protected greenery in the centre of town. Sheep's Green has been grazed for centuries which maintains the flora and fauna. Presumably it used to be the preserve of sheep with cows on nearby Coe Fen but it's always cows on both these days, regulated by a council employee called the City Pinder. There were once three water mills in the area with one surviving (now 'Smokemills' restaurant) and there is a converted granary and oast house in Newnham and Darwin College has a converted granary for a library.
Three good things:
1. The 'greens' are prone to flooding so safe from 'development'.
2. Tame herons on a grey, mizzly day.
3. Slowly working through the backlog of admin.
I also find myself driving to interesting places for dog-walking - mainly because my dog is nearly seventeen-years-old, and he still likes to go out but he's very slow and he can't walk very far.
I find Cambridge a nightmare for parking. When I visit it usually have to park a log way out and walk into town.
@dh well I can walk in from home in about 20 - 30 mins but the dog slows me down. I usually park on a meter for an hour - long term parking requires a mortgage....
What a strange name, the City Pinder! Herons are always quite a sight when you see them standing so still. I McNair prefer driving somewhere otherwise you have to walk the same old ground to,get anywhere New. We have a horrid hill too so it's good to drive over that.
He's so sharp - lovely shot. My hubby loves spotting these, they are always so much bigger than the other birds around them. Cheering your poor foot on and hope it settles for you soon.
Fabulous shot! Love the interesting background info regarding Sheep's Green. So wonderful to have protected areas in town. Looked up the definition of 'pinder'...a person whose job it was to impound stray animals. That title seems to fit, seeing as there are cows who might choose to ramble into town. Hope your foot is making improvement, Judith. I know that's a painful condition that seems to take for-ev-er to heal. :(
@peggysirk Ooh maybe I should call him about the tom cat that's causing us trouble! The cows do find themselves in town on occasion....the pinder can be a bit slack with his cattle grid maintenance.
You must have been lucky to find this lovely guy, seemingly waiting for you to take its picture. Great shot and thanks for the story - very interesting.
@judithg Tom cats/ferals can be much trickier than the docile bovine. I think you need a pinder who specializes in the feline field. Sounds like you and Monty had quite a time with your early morning visitor. :)
I find Cambridge a nightmare for parking. When I visit it usually have to park a log way out and walk into town.
I'd wager that Pinderfields in Wakefield has the same etymology.