I diverted onto my friend Rebecca's driveway at lunchtime because I found myself surrounded by odd alcoholic type characters and decided I would let them go ahead. Pondering the higher than usual preponderance and the donning of odd blonde wigs by some of their number it dawned on me that it was the first Saturday in June. This is the day that Cambridge residents get in touch with their inner tie-dye and take off down to Strawberry Fair. I contemplated briefly going back home for my zoom lens as it's a great place for odd characters (and ordinary characters given licence to wear purple and too much eyeliner) and then remembered that last time I waved a long lens around there I nearly got punched and decided to leave it at home. I was disappointed on arrival though to find that I didn't even have my memory card and had to resort to iPhone - and I couldn't see the screen for the white sky reflected on it. I took a few shots and then moved through - not really feeling the love - it was more goth than fairy this year and personally I think if you have to shout at your friend to neck half a bottle of vodka before you go into a place at 1pm (no spirits allowed even in 'water bottles') it can't really be that good. More bhang, booze and brawling than peace, love and understanding but live and let live - lots of people enjoy it.
Anyway the shots were all a bit rubbish but I did finally take this view down the path to Jesus College that I've had my eye on for ages.
4GT:
1. A really nice bottle of Pinot gris in the fridge that my dad gave me.
2. Thai takeaway on its way.
3. Sun out for 10 mins this afternoon.
4. Came upon blonde wig man later (not sure they were allowed into the Fair in the end) and he was lovely with Monty and admired his collar (which is very nice) so I needn't have felt quite so vulnerable - trouble is when people are already staggering it can go either way...
I had forgotten all about Strawberry Fair but it doesn't sound as though it's as nice as it used to be. Looks can be deceptive can't they? I saw a chap at Priory the other day that I thought I would give a wide berth to and he actually said to me that there was a duck with her ducklings straight ahead so he was more thoughtful than I thought he would be. Nice shot of the path up to Jesus with the usual Cambridge scene of bikes!
Love the way the walls and bikes lead your eye down along... I didn't know I needed a licence to wear purple - better find out where to apply???!!!! Hope you enjoy the pinot gris and the Thai - if it weren't for the fact that Neil is making his super duper chilli and (as friends are coming)we have a bottle of something white and nice in the fridge and a bottle of something red and nice on the table, I should feel jealous of you!!!
@quietpurplehaze I've got that licence all the time! Sounds splendid at your house! Only Adam and me in so I went for his favourites rather than mine but still nice.
@fueast Well that's entirely possible! Heard a bloke on his mobile telling somebody he'd just found his stolen bike at Strawberry Fair and taken it back. Mind you there was a woman who found her stolen motorbike last week and took it home and the thieves torched it outside her house. It exploded and blew out the front bay - I've got photos - it's not all Pimms and punting!
@fueast Yeah - it was in a very small Victorian front garden practically leaning on the house in a very nice street - practically demolished the house and the neighbours.
Love your chat above Judith, specially the bit about how a perceived potential threat turns out to be something very rewarding - happens a quite a lot which is nice. Fantastic shot and just has to be Fav, cos its so perfect.
I got caught up in the parade(?) on its way to Strawberry Fair and wished I had my camera not just the iphone. Like you saw a lot of interesting characters! Steered clear of Midsummer Common though!
Agree that there weren't enough fairies this year! Also didn't want to use my camera too much for candids but I did get a couple of shots of the circus performers
I love the leading line to "Jesus!" through the marvelous array of bikes. Sounds a bit like the country fair here though it's marijuana rather than booze and I think the peace and love still lives
@quietpurplehaze As long as you & @judithg don't spit you are allowed to wear purple!
Fave Judith this is just your trade mark, those parked bikes look splendid & that straight path to the arched gate takes your eye right to the end....hope those lucky kids at any of the unis in Cambridge know how lucky they are to be learning in such exalted places!!!
@rosiekind@jenrobcarr You'd have to ask somebody who's more of a fan than me if it's really gone downhill. I think it may have been more laid back before they clamped down on the marijuana @jgpittenger - less trouble than the alcohol!!
Fave Judith this is just your trade mark, those parked bikes look splendid & that straight path to the arched gate takes your eye right to the end....hope those lucky kids at any of the unis in Cambridge know how lucky they are to be learning in such exalted places!!!
Not one of my vices so I am OK!