Up In The Morning Early

Whatever possessed me to get up at half past four in the morning? And why oh why did I think it would be a good idea to draw back the curtains and look at the sky?

Having got so far it seemed only logical, after having had a cup of tea and a slice of toast, to get the bike out of the shed and pedal determinedly off into the dawn.

Just after five o'clock I'd parked the bike in the hedge and was aiming my camera across Shepreth L-Moor as the sun began its ascent into the sky. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all.

An early rising and persistently cuckooing cuckoo was making his presence known as I approached the railway crossing in Shepreth. A road sign told me that the road to Barrington was closed, but I went that way anyway hoping that a bike could get through.

Yep, got that one right, they were repairing the bridge over the river and there was a temporary footbridge alongside - the workmen have to get from side to side, don't they? Now we're in Barrington.

Barrington not only has a huge village green, over half a mile (0.8 Km) from one end to t'other, but also has two duck ponds and many picturesque cottages. On one duck pond this morning was a Mandarin drake. 

I always say I'll resist taking any more photos of these quaint reminders of Old England, but never do.

Of couse it's a reminder of an England that never was; the present residents would probably have no wish to return to the primitive conditions of when these lovely old houses were built.

In fact it seems they're all still in bed and unaware that there's a strange old chap with a camera prowling about outside!

The low raking sunlight brought out some of the texture of woodwork and plaster work.

At length a man with a small dog appeared, though neither of them seemed the least bit put out to find someone out at the crack of dawn photographing their village.

Then I thought it was time to climb into the saddle once more and potter slowly back home. I'm ready for another cuppa.


Take care.