Storm Shopping

Early this morning, well early for me, 'First Bus' transported me south to the big town in a search for 'Maplins' once more.  By leaving early, and only six minutes late, I intended to avoid the stormy weather America was sending us once again.  By the time we reached our destination the rain was lashing the grimy bus windows and huddled pedestrians filled the streets.  By careful use of both 'market,' from where I later purchased real meat from the butchers stall, the shopping centre where women search for 'shiny things' and grossly overpriced 'Debenhams,' I managed to reach my destination with minimum fuss and not quite soaked to the skin.

The River Cam flowed fiercely through the town centre showing a deep yellowish colour reflecting the rain coming off the farmland through which it passes.  Not quite over the banks but as high as it can get.  Dodging the last dangerous umbrella I reached my destination and with the help of a young assistant obtained quickly what I hope to be the correct equipment.  This cost no more than an arm and a leg, reasonable for the bundle on offer some say. They of course are not paying!  Reasonably helpful and somewhat knowledgeable the shop was efficient but sometimes in the big town I feel people are unused to relating with customers.  Men especially are often ill at ease in such places even though they may be happy to discuss the items concerned.  Still they were good enough for me and I will certainly visit again.

As usual I sat in the dim light of the cathedral to sleep meditate for a short while before heading home again. The picture is lighter than true as it shows the building better.  This building goes back a long way as do most of them, the first vicar being recorded in the 1200's.  This church has been renovated to allow for present day needs which includes whitewashing the walls, lighting, modern chairs, and thoughtfully created side chapels.  However it does remove much of the old 'feel' of an ancient building in my view.  Some decry the removal of pews but these are a recent addition.  In days of yore there were no chairs, you stood and participated until the days when the rich folks decided they were going to sit.  If you were tired during a service in the past time you went to the side and either found a ledge to sit on or leaned against the wall, hence the phrase, 'going to the wall.'  Many such phrases come from English church attendance.  The memorials dating from the 1700's or so stand out glaringly from the rest of the buildings, that would upset those named if they knew, most now forgotten even by present day descendants.   Victorian stained glass clashes somewhat with the modern setting but needs must for a building that is in constant use.  Still I like it and unless several hundred folk are attending something or other it serves a need for a few minutes quiet.  

     
Had the weather been less inclement, and the bus stopped more often on the way home, it might have been possible to capture some of the interesting wee houses on the way.  Sadly the journey out was hindered by people getting on the bus, thus delaying our journey somewhat. These selfish folks did not seem to realise that I was in a hurry and that if there were fewer stops the bus would get to its destination quicker.  Few were around on the way home, the rain I intended to avoid keeping them trapped indoors.  These wee houses here line up alongside others that appear to go back into the mists of time.  Now owned by the wealthier types rather than struggling agricultural labourers, they find themselves surrounded by recently built overpriced housing.  These are fine for folks who wish to raise children outside of the town but change the atmosphere of the once small 'village' completely. 

'Valentines Day,' has arrived again, here is a little something for Cupid!

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