Details from the Cambridge Mosque

I took fewer pictures than  I might have done on Wednesday if I hadn't got intrigued by geometric art, much of it, as with other features of the mosque, based on 4. Sometimes this was 'simple' as with the third and fourth images with two squares, one inverted to form a star. The door decoration was more complex with an 8-star in the first and a 12-star in the second, each multiples of 4. These complex geometric designs create the impression of unending repetition, demonstrating that, in the small, you can find the infinite, reminding Muslims that Allah is infinite. Circles have no end and so are also present. Calligraphy is a major art form in Islam and the Mosque walls in many places, including the exterior, are decorated with calligraphy portrayed with bricks.

This ancient use of geometry and repeating patterns as the language of the universe is reflected in scientific studies on the crystalline structure of matter.

 

Cambridge Central Mosque

On Wednesday, members of CCC visited the new Cambridge Central Mosque, Europe's first eco-friendly mosque. It was opened to the public on 24 April 2019 and was inspired both by Islamic and English religious architectural traditions to give a calm oasis within a grove of trees.  The gardens enhance the feeling of an ‘oasis’. The entrance hall pictures were taken with the widest lens that I had with me - a 10 mm lens; image 4 is a single shot and image 5 a panoramic image of 6 images.

 

 

 

Cambridge Fireworks Plus Wind, Rain and Zoom Lens

The forecast had 'promised' rain at 7pm and, yes, as the display started so did the rain. It was difficult to keep the lens dry but, in some cases, I felt it added to the compositions. There was a fairly brisk breeze and, for some shots, I also zoomed my lens holding the wide or narrow position for a couple of seconds. (24-70mm equiv, iso 800, f11-f22, 1 sec to 7 secs)

 

Autumn at Paxton Pits

It was great to visit Paxton Pits this morning and see the water level is fairly high and the lakes are full of ducks - Widgeon, Gadwall, Shoveller, Tufted, Mallard etc. The trees are turning fast and gave lovely colours for backdrops and reflections with alternately dark and sunny skies. A Great Crested Grebe had quite a tussle with a fish,while being mobbed by Black-Headed Gulls.

CRUFC v. Plymouth Albion 20-20 All Square

It was definitely a game of two halves with Cambridge getting all their points in the first half with the wind behind them and Albion scoring most of theirs in the second half.