Karohemd's World

Strawberry Fair is an annual (except for last year) free festival on Midsummer Common in Cambridge. Last year, the police objected to the event because policing it had been difficult (disorderly conduct, drugs etc.) and the council didn't grant the license. This year, the setup was changed, Midsummer Common was fenced in and the number of entry points severely restricted so you couldn't simply walk onto the Common. Spot checks were made at the entrances for drugs and excessive alcohol (restricted to four cans). I wasn't stopped on the way in, possibly because it was still early and I didn't look like I would cause troubles with my two fancy cameras strapped to myself.

This year I was early enough to catch the parade coming in which had a steel/drumming band, stiltwalkers and other costumed participants.

The main difference to the setup of the fair was the lack of a big main music stage on the east end and other stages (like the Reggae Tent) were missing as well. I found the music generally lacking in quality or maybe I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Instead, there was a large cordoned off area called the "Village Green" in the centre with organised events like The Knights of Honour reenactment group's fighting displays.
The Cambridge Community Circus was present as well and made for some of the best photos I managed to get (see below).
As the stalls went it was either food (more expensive again, 6.50 for a portion of curry goat and rice with more bone than meat) or rather commercial ones selling clothing, accessories and tat. Most of the little stalls/traders were missing.
The weather was good, there was always a nice breeze so even when it was quite hot (hottest around 5pm!) it was bearable.

Overall, it was a good day out (I had to leave around 6 because my back was complaining too much) but it felt a bit subdued compared to previous years. The official numbers said there were a lot fewer arrests (13 compared to 73 in '09) but I think I saw just as many drunken yobs as in previous years.

Here's the Cambridge News article on the Fair. I randomly walk through the frame in the first video at 1:28 (but sadly with the head cut off). BBC Cambs' selection of my photos is here.

I went outside to take my washing off the line and raced upstairs again to get the camera:

please make sure the rain has stopped by tomorrow afternoon. xambrius will be visiting and I don't want to leave a bad impression.
Thank you.

Sacrilege last night in Cambridge sadly was not very busy but it was still a good night with excellent music and colourful people.
For some reason, the light was a lot poorer than last time (both weaker and redder) so the flash had to come out a lot.



More on flickr.

They don't allow photography except in the entrance hall and the main staircase so this is what I had. There were too many people (and I only had my midrange zoom) for an effective shot of the staircase so I concentrated on portraits of some of the statues and busts. I have no idea who they are because there weren't any names on the labels, just numbers.

was good. The weather held until I left 9:30ish because my feet were telling me they wanted to be put up and wouldn't support me much longer. I made it there just after 12 and met up with a number of friends. I picked up my press pass and stuck it to my hat. ;o) I moved between the stages all day. Except for Special Preserve (great blues) and The Neutrinos (both in the acoustic tent, the latter will get a separate post), music was nothing special this year and except for that world music group and again The Neutrinos not particularly interesting to photograph, either. Shame, really.
I also had my usual food selection (falafel for lunch, curry goat for dinner and a crepe for afters) but didn't buy anything else. So, here's them photos:

It's just a day old and it has already turned into a wildlife habitat. ;o)
I completely failed to take a shot from the Chesterton side to show the bridge as it is now above water also on the bit that's usually above grass but the office windows were filthy...

I'm glad I picked today to take a day off work to raid Foppdo some shopping in town as it was nice, sunny and not too cold. Before falling asleep last night, I thought, Ooh, I could take my camera and take some random pictures around Cambridge and take the new lens for a spin, especially the Chronophage, mustn't forget to pack the pol filter.
Obviously, when I sat on the bus, I remembered that I didn't pack the pol filter so the photos of the Corpus Clock turned out mostly rubbish (it's behind glass and it was a really bright day, at least the sun wasn't directly on the clock). After I'd acquired a few items of shopping, taking photos also was kind of tricky so I abandoned the idea. I need a caddy. ;o)
I did get a new pair of trousers, socks (to replace all my mismatched ones), a stack of CDs, a new pair of big headphones and some dark chocs from the shop in Burleigh St. and a haircut. My head feels lighter now, it was about time. So, anyway, photos:

The bridge officially opened yesterday. I managed to get a few shots through my (dirty) office window and then took some pics of the bridge itself after work. Seems to work so far and getting across to tesco's is now a lot easier. :o) Many more shots on flickr, click one of the big pics and then on the Riverside Bridge set.