A number of scenes to delight and delay the early morning cyclist in the month of July. Mostly taken in and around the village of Harlton, a few miles from home.
Crimson clouds on the horizon half an hour before sunrise
But looking rather washed out by the time I reached Chapel Hill
Towards Harlton.
Sun breaking through and backlighting the fields
Cows in a field. An uncommon sight in most of the county, which is strictly arable.
A closer look. Leaning on the gate, just like an old farmer!
Down the lane.
Low sun over the cattle pasture.
A hill! There aren't many of those in Cambridgeshire.
Chicory flowering on one of the field margins.
Looking back down an ancient road known as "Whole Way".
That cloud was not as threatening as it looked.
View from the chalk ridge over the flat country to the north.
That "corduroy" look of the fields on the chalk lands.
Heading back home before a predicted warm and humid day;
that's one of the reasons I was out so early.
*******
Time for a little more YouTube guitar music, this time from one of the acoustic guitar heroes of my youth. Bert Jansch was an unpolished but hypotic performer of traditional songs, self-penned numbers and dazzling instrumentals. His vocals often trailed off into mumbles or even silence and gave rise to lots of imitators singing the wrong words to the tunes. The guitar part of this particular song, "Blackwater Side", was stolen by Led Zeppelin who called it "Black Mountain Side" - but that didn't fool anyone.
Take care.
In case you're defeated by the mumbles....
ReplyDeleteOne morning fair I took the air
Down by Blackwater side
'twas in gazing all, all around me
The Irish lad I spied
All through the fore part of the night
We lay in sport and play
Till this young man arose and gathered his clothes
Saying 'Fare thee well today
That's not the promise that you gave to me
When first you lay on my breast
You could make me believe with your lying tongue
That the sun rose in the West
Well then go home to your father's garden
Go home and weep your fill
And think on your own misfortune
That you 've brought with your wanton will.
One morning fair I took the air
Down by Blackwater side
'twas in gazing all, all around me
The Irish lad I spied
It's quite normal in British folk music for men to sing what are clearly women's songs and vice versa.
Beyond beautiful - and the early morning is my favourite time of day -whatever the weather.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos as always, although I do chuckle when anyone in your part of the world uses the word 'hill'. (I come from the wilds of South West Wales!)
ReplyDeleteYou had those two rarities in one shot, John, cows and hills. Well done. It's good to be out early before the heat of the day.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images John. The Sky shots are amazing. Lots of Wall Canvas Art here.
ReplyDeleteI love that description you have given to the "corduroy" look fields.
ReplyDeleteThat is some lovely countryside you bike through.
ReplyDeleteThis was an exceptionally wonderful ride. I was hanging on to your bike feeling the open breeze and totally enjoying the wide open views. Thanks for taking me along. Guitar was a perfect ending to the ride.
ReplyDeleteEach photo is a treasure. That early morning light draws one into each scene.
ReplyDeleteSuch gorgeous pics today. It was worth being out that early, John.
ReplyDeleteGosh, you are a fabulous photographer, John! These pics are lovely! You capture such a wonderful variety of the beauty around you. Do you ever submit your photos to magazines or photo contests? You would succeed for sure! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos, John. What a wonderful vistas and views you have there on your walks and bike rides.
ReplyDeleteWhen I listen to Bert Jansch sing, his voice sends me back in time and my eyes fill with tears a bit for something that tugs at my heart.
The early bird got some great photos, thanks for sharing, John.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful countryside views.
ReplyDeleteYou have captured the early morning light perfectly. Wonderful scenes. Definitely worth getting off the bike and sharing the fruits of your labour with the rest of us
ReplyDeleteCertainly worth getting up early for that lovely light.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen chicory for years.
ReplyDeleteI guess you could say that was a surprise ending. Nice scenery in the area.
ReplyDeleteStunning views John - beautiful photos ... gorgeous ... and that countryside is magnificent - love the name of "Whole Way" and its cloud - interesting to see it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for putting up the words ... I'm enjoying Blackwater Side - cheers Hilary
Muy buenas vistas del campo. Me gusta mucho las luces del amanecer.
ReplyDeleteFeliz semana.
Beautiful photos. The one of the 'corduroy field' is stunning:)
ReplyDeleteWhat type of camera do you use?
ReplyDeleteHang on, I'll have a look - a Nikon D5600 apparently.
DeleteThe guitarist was mesmerizing. Your photographs are beautiful. I honestly don't know how I keep losing track of your blog. It really is lovely. We have chicory here in great abundance. I've always loved it.
ReplyDeleteI liked your backlit fields photo!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these wonderful photos, which give color and joy to our eyes.
ReplyDeleteThey are all beautiful but my favorite was the 3rd one, the framing of the tree with an incredible sky in the background is fantastic.
Now if I could just get up early enough to capture morning shots, John, but alas I was in my bed so glad you were not or we would have missed these shots.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are the England that Americans dream of. I know there isn't as much countryside as there used to be, but you show what is still there, and it makes me so happy.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on where you are and how you look at the countryside. If you travel by main roads you think the country's all built-up, but if you walk the footpaths - or even travel by train - then there's a huge amount of open country left.
DeleteThose pictures are artistic! Thank you for sharing them.
ReplyDelete