Monthly Archives: October 2017

Beechwoods – Lore 3

‘Ceridwen as Henwen, the great white ancient sow, was said to possess great wisdom from eating nuts from the sacred Beech tree which for Druids symbolised ancient knowledge and tradition (Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm— Druid Animal Oracle). In Greek legend … Continue reading

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Beechwoods – Lore 2

‘Beech is known for her generosity of spirit, she gives both protection and nourishment, as she fans her branches out into a broad canopy that is useful for shelter and her beech nuts used to be a valuable food source. … Continue reading

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U3AC Photo Forum 3 – Photographic Resources

Tim Ewbank took us into the labyrinth of photographic resources today.  Available to inform and guide us are: paper (e.g. books, magazines); AV (e.g. films, TV); digital (e.g. websites, flickr, Instagram); museums and galleries (e.g. Science Museum, Photographers’ Gallery); and … Continue reading

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Anti-pictorial?

I rarely take of what I think of as traditional, pictorial photographs of subjects that might generally be thought of as beautiful, charming or otherwise attractive.  I’m not immune to beauty and enjoy it in its many forms, but that’s … Continue reading

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Disposal of the Dead

There are good public health reasons for taking care over the disposal of human corpses. The manner of disposal is often dominated by spiritual concerns or a desire to show respect for the dead or both, and may be carried … Continue reading

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U3AC Photo Forum 2 – Looking at Pictures

Today’s session was about understanding, interpreting and enjoying photographs.  Everyone brought along a photograph for discussion by the Forum.  Some presented work of their own; others offered pictures by known photographers, including Paul Strand, Andre Kertesz and Laura Pannack.  The … Continue reading

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Fenscape 30

Walked along the Great Ouse from the Lazy Otter this morning.  Mild; distant Fen horizons lost in the mist, trees and barns given an impressionistic wash, faint tractor lights like occasional lighthouse blinks.  Underfoot the grass wet and decorated with … Continue reading

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U3AC Photo Forum 1 – Introduction

Tim Ewbank has taken the initiative to run a photography Forum for the Cambridge U3A.  Canvassed about the purpose of the Forum before the start of term, 47% of those who signed up said that improving their photographic technique was … Continue reading

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Beechwoods Fungi

Friday 18th August 2017.  ‘Early morning walk in the Beechwoods.  Bright and sunny, but cool; the wind made the sound of surf in the treetops.  Greeted by the laughing call of a green woodpecker – the signature sound of the … Continue reading

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Beechwoods – Lore 1

‘Beech groves have been found in and near important places of power; Avebury and Cerne Abbas to name two. They maybe have been used for food as much as their majestic presence. They have been said to have inspired the … Continue reading

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Barrington Cement Works

The chimney for Barrington Cement Works is a landmark for miles around, a sign that Cambridge is near for those travelling by road and rail.  It’s also a historical signifier for a village notable otherwise only for its ‘enormous green’ … Continue reading

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Balloons

I don’t know how environmentally friendly balloon flights are – a lot of fuel is burnt, recovery vehicles trundle around and the burns are noisy, if short.  But it does seem to be the ultimate in slow tourism, a leisurely … Continue reading

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Snettisham

Snettisham 9th October 2017.  A few times each year the highest tides in the Wash coincide with dawn to create a great avian spectacle.  The rising water creeps inexorably over the estuarine flats, sweeping before it the feeding waders, ducks … Continue reading

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Massawa

Life in Massawa in the late 1940s seemed like some compensation for the separations and privations of the War.  Being the wife of a senior police officer in the British administration brought both status and servants.  Other hands eased the … Continue reading

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Djahazi

I mentioned photographers using traditional cameras in Venice in my piece about the Guggenheim on 20th September.  This photographer is going even further back: it looks as if he’s using a Box Brownie No.2 dating from the 1930s, or maybe … Continue reading

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