Up Close and Bovine

An Irish classmate of M*'s was surprised that I would take pictures of cows. He grew up seeing our bovine friends, and, as is often the case, does not feel inclined to photograph aspects of his normal surroundings.

I think that I'll always find sharing a sidewalk with a cow quite a special experience. I passed this lovely lady yesterday on Sheep's Green.

Off to the Lake District

We're taking a short trip with our friends, James and Manuela, to the Lake District before returning to Cambridge to attend the Queens' College and Wolfson College Balls. M* finished classes yesterday, although his thesis is due and the program officially finishes the end of August.

While the forecast predicts some rain every day, we hear that is common in the Lake District. We're a bit use to the rain showers now—it's been a wet May and June. I just hope the weather is not too bad, as we are renting a car and I haven't driven on the 'wrong' side of the road since a trip to New Zealand over four years ago.

Arriving home after a lovely bike trip in the rain.


The cows don't seem to mind drinking from the Cam—newly muddy from the rain-caused runoff.

Paradise and Beyond Nature Walk

The Cam around Byron's Pool

M* and I were walking in Grantchester Meadows a week or so ago, and we saw a flier for "Paradise & Beyond" walking tour around the Grantchester Meadows area of Cambridge, tagged as a 'Town not Gown' tour: Cambridge history for local residents.

"Follow in the footsteps of Pink Floyd, Rupert Brooke and Lord Byron to discover what lies beyond Paradise! Local experts will be guiding people through one of the most picturesque areas in Cambridgeshire and telling them about the wildlife, its past, and how important it is that these areas are managed properly. Walk through wet woodland and riverside meadows, glimpse kingfishers (hopefully), hear numerous fascinating facts about the history of this part of Cambridge, learn about the management of nature reserves, see one of the earliest church brasses in England, muse on sites that inspired world famous poets, and wonder 'Is there honey still for tea?'"

These cows all sported the coolest yellow earrings.

Thought the red circle might help you find the grey wagtail

We convinced our friends, James and Manuela, to accompany us on the four hour, three mile walk. I must say that I didn't gain as much added insight to the area as I was hoping. We did not see the colorful kingfisher, and much of the information disseminated by the guide from the local nature reserve was a bit too sciencey for me (and I'm married to a fella who loves geeking out on science). In the beginning of the walk, he pointed out a green plant and told us to pull it out when we saw it, as it was a non-native species. Now to my flora-differentiating-challenged eyes, it was indistinguishable from eighty percent of the ground cover along the river, so I decided to pass on the weed pulling as, if let at it, there would be no green leafy plants left along our route.

Manuela, James and M*

We're glad we went on the tour, as we found the history guide, Allan Brigham, to be very entertaining; we had never walked through the tranquil, tree covered area surrounding Byron's Pond; and we totally felt entitled to an afternoon nap upon our return home.

Mother swans and her downy cygnets

Cam near Grantchester Road

Woodlands around Byron's Pool

My scientist and the native Field Maple

Bovine Sunbathing

The cows just make me so happy to be here—even when their droppings create an obstacle course on the bike path.

Relaxing and catching some sun by the Cam on Coe Fen.
I was waiting for the cow on the right to jump
in the river, but eventually I had to get to work.

Dad and Carla's Visit

Working through jet lag at Granta.

Giving into jet lag at the Orchard at Grantchester.

The cows have returned to Coe Fen.

The cows are already used to posing for the camera.

M* the punter and Dad the oarsman.

M* getting his punting legs.

Baby ducks find the Cam a treacherous place to be with all the punts.

Sep 26 - Pictures on my way home

I try and tote my camera around with me - but too often I leave it at home. Luckily I had it with me today - when the cows started moseying down the path in my direction.