[Generalisation alert! Sorry in advance for offending Newnhamites..].
Newnham is a little village within the city which has retained it's own Edwardian character. It still has a butchers and bakers and other little independent shops. It is occupied by older 'blue stocking' academic types and middle-class families whose children are all called Arthur and Alice. This morning I walked through the park past a trio of middle-aged dads earnestly discussing Camus while keeping half an eye on their football-playing 7 year olds. That won't last - the kids will soon be playing violins and doing chess club on a Sunday morning. The houses are very expensive so I'm guessing that any academics who manage to buy there have another source of income as well. It's a charming little place and the people are very nice and friendly but they are a certain 'type' - and I'm intimidated by the intellects! Eltisley Avenue is normally double-parked all the way along but was closed off this morning in readiness for their 100th birthday party this afternoon. Eclectic collections of furniture were appearing on the pavement and the Cath Kidson bunting was looking magnificent. I really chose this pic entirely for the little white dog....
Three good things:
1. Party atmosphere all round the town as temperatures hit 29*C.
2. Good neighbours who look out for each other.
3. Nigel and Rachel safely home from their travels abroad (Wales)
Well this is superb just like every street in Britain should be all cosy & old fashioned. Just love the deck chairs in the middle & what looks like a dollies pram. The little Jack Rusell is obviously very well trained too & won't go round the posh tables pinching food. Just goes to show ..Location, Location, Location Judith as these just look like ordinary terraced houses to me!!! A very big fave!! I like your good things!
@happypat Reasonable-sized 3-bed terraced houses - £625,000. Everybody cycles because on-road parking spaces are at a premium. A lot of money but people seem to be willing to pay! The double parking all along would drive me mad.
@humphreyhippo Yes - they had various activities ready like hopscotch and pin the tail. The kids seemed to be charged with taking furniture outside so there were some odd choices.
Love the little dog too! Your mention of the Camus discussion reminds me of the two dons wandering along the street in earnest conversation and one was overheard saying to the other 'and thirteenthly . . .'
I believe you could very well hold your own with the Newnham intellectuals, Judith. Sounds and looks like a delightful little village. Marvelous shot of the celebration preparations...and the four legged star of the photo. :)
@judithg That is exactly what I said to Harry the parking in Lytham was really good for visitors all along the streets but the residents must get fed up, it would drive me wild if I couldn't park the car by my own house! Expensive area you live in !!!!!
What a wonderful atmosphere you've captured here. I love the story you've told about Newnham too, although it does look like it could be any street of terraced houses! I would love to be able to afford to live there - or would I?
Well how very strange that you chose the shot for the little white dog as almost before I had looked at the photo properly, that was what I liked!
But I think he's set off by all the activity in the shot - and I don't think you should be intimidated by ANY intellect!!! He certainly looks like a dog with a mission.
I love the generalisations and as soon as you said Cath Kidson could picture it perfectly! Sort of place you could base a really good play along 'clever Abigail's Party' lines I should imagine. (where I live is similarly cliched and I fit that cliche pretty well!)
September 13th, 2012
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Looks lovely without the cars and with the garlands.
Very evocative of a sense of community that has largely disappeared.
But I think he's set off by all the activity in the shot - and I don't think you should be intimidated by ANY intellect!!! He certainly looks like a dog with a mission.