Christmas in Cambridge

A few images from around Cambridge on Sunday evening before we started the night shoot proper (next entry!). The fair on Parkers' Piece accompanying the ice rink is small but certainly not lacking colour.  When we first arrived in Cambridge (c3.15pm), we spent some time on the reflections in the windows on King's Parade, which gives some fascinating juxtapositions. As dusk approached, it was time for views of Trinity Hall and Kings with the tasteful Christmas lights. Then a quick session in the market before the fair and a warm drink!

Addenbrookes' Hospital Rudolf Run

Local sports stars GB 100m paralympian, Laura Sugar, from Saffron Walden and GB Bobsleigh Team member, Ross Austen, from Ely launched  this year’s Rudolph Run at Addenbrooke’s Hospital on Sunday 7 December.

 Around 200 people registered for the event - a large increase on last year.  Father Christmas and his Reindeer plus various staff from Addenbrookes' Charitable Trust  and Trustee, Dame Mary Archer, bravely took part in the run in showery rain or manned the barriers and stalls. Congratulations to all who completed the course. My images are on flikR at This Link  (Or copy https://www.flickr.com/photos/28596054@N07/sets/72157649653589472/); a few more will be added from Mike shortly.

Paxton Pits

It was such a beautiful clear sunny morning that the mountain of house jobs got abandoned in favour of a trip to Paxton Pits. There was not a lot around but two Goldeneye kept us amused for a time along with Tufted and Mallards. I experimented with very dark backgrounds for the Great Crested Grebe and Swan.

Coventry Cathedral

We spent an hour or so in Coventry Cathedral on Sunday. We last visited before the construction of the University and the large square in front of the steps - a road ran along the front with the Epstein statue overlooking mainly derelict buildings. I tried to find images from then on the web and failed so will look out my images one day. I find it a very austere almost frightening space with only the Bapistry window by John Piper offering any relief to the sombre message. Even the Eagle lecture is angular and aggressive unlike the usual rounded version.

Misty Morning at Stratford-upon-Avon

We woke up to a misty morning in our hotel in Alcester. I took the penultimate image of a lovely isolated  group of trees from the bedroom before breakfast; by the time we got back to the room the mist had cleared to reveal previously hidden houses. Luckily the mist was patchy and stayed around in Stratford till mid morning giving some great autumn vistas. Lots of cobwebs adorning various barge 'friends'. Some people were busy decorating one of the tree with crochet squares - a custom I had first encountered in Moscow