The last Bank Holiday, was a few weeks ago on a Monday. I was bored and going through withdrawals. Not from Hobgoblin, but from not using my camera for a while. I decided to go for a walk and snap thirty photos no matter how boring or ordinary the subject matter. No editing or enhancements - photos au naturale: organic, unprocessed, pure and wholesome. So what I'm saying here is - I snapped some pretty damn boring photos. England has several Bank Holidays every year and on these days, the banks are closed as are some businesses and typically, market townships have a really, really larger than normal Market. My first photo subject were these lovely hanging flower baskets which go up every season.
I rode my bike through this street four hours ago and it was heaving with pedestrians; tourists with their cameras snapping the scenic Great River Ouse, little old, white-haired ladies pulley their shopping trolleys, dogs walking their owners, children with ice-cream smeared faces, joggers and serious bike enthusiasts in their acid coloured, skin tight, spandex outfits. I have to tell you that these people were really getting on my nerves so I turned my bike around, made for home and locked myself in the bedroom. Now, four hours later, I returned to a nearly empty town. It was a bit surreal as just a few hours ago, it was wall to wall humans and market stalls.
Below is a photo of the old Woolies store. Better known in America as Woolworths. The building looks so much better than it used to. They've recently painted and renovated the interior, yet it remains empty. Please God, don't let Tesco's lease this building. I despise Tesco.
I spied a few souls down this road. Anywhere there's a pub, there will be breath. The gorgeous La Muse Boutique is on this street as is The Nelson's Head pub. Or as the locals call it: Nellies. Do you see the pub sign with Mr. Nelson's face ? I really must research him someday. Could this be the famous Lord Admiral Nelson ?
It was a beautiful day and the sky floated those big, billowy clouds I so love much. Everything was just fine. Until HE showed up. Man and his yellow beast.
Bloody hell - it was the street sweeper ! He drove down the opposite side of the street, made a u-turn and came up behind me. I had to jump into the entrance of a shop to avoid getting run over. He then swung around and started to come straight for me. I ducked back into the shop foyer again. Missed me - HA!
When his radar didn't detect me, he went after this lady sitting on the steps of the ke-bob shop. You can hardly see her there - maybe her head is all. This yellow machine drove up on the sidewalk and stopped within inches of her. She had to jump up to get out of his way. Torturer !!
I walked around the corner of Piggotts Jewelers and sweet Mother !! This man and his machine were relentless - after me again !
It may have read Merryland on the street sign but really, it wasn't.
Once again I hopped out of the way - this crazy man and his machine were not going around me. I let him go by and to my shock/horror, when I walked around the corner to Market Street, discovered that it was multiplying ! Two larger yellow ones - must be the Mum and Dad of the little yellow beast.
I was safe now. Mum and Dad were distracting the little yellow one. Now back to the blah-blah photos or maybe I should call it "life as it really is after a Bank Holiday Market." The few remaining people were those cleaning up the streets of rubbish and folding up their pavilions. One of the big yellow beasts has moved closer so that I'm in his line of sight - he's watching me.
To think just a few hours ago there were fruit and veg stands, fabrics, clothes, knick knacks, bread, cheese, fish, meats, sewing notions and fabric, magazines, dvd's, yarn, watches, mobile phones, homemade jams and breads, shoes, jewelry {jewellery: British spelling} home interior items, rugs, picture frames, cheese .... I could go on and on but you get the idea. Oh, and chickens - sometimes they bring live chickens.
Now these two below were mighty interesting. They were squabbling about how to fold this tarp. He was bossing her around and she wasn't having it. I thought it might come to blows but it ended fine, no blood.
Here we have, a pile of bagged rubbish and boxes, boys on their bikes and the local street personalities. The one guy always loiters outside the newly renovated Corn Exchange, strumming and singing for his beer money. He plays the same two songs over and over again, day and night, night and day, constantly. One tune he does is Creedence Clearwater Revival's - Lodi. I wonder if this guy has ever been to Lodi, let alone knows where it is. I wonder if he takes requests ?
And here is my bank - Lloyds. I love this old building - especially the windows.
A little bit of action going on at the White Hart Pub. See what I mean ? Pub = people = breath.
I peeked through the green doors of the Hyperion Antiques shop. This is the backyard to the shop where you might find a really cheap bargain, stuff that never was bought at auction. I snoop here every week. I would love to be a wheeler and dealer someday ! I like junk. It's intriguing and always has a history of some sort.
I walk by these two benches all the time but never see anyone sitting on them. I never really thought about how pretty this setting was until I took this photo - benches, carved rock monument and the flower garden. Maybe no one sits here because it is right next to the street where the buses pull into the St. Ives bus station. Probably not the best place for an asthmatic to sit. 'cough, cough, gasp, acckk !"
Okay, so the photo below is the St. Ives bus station. If you happen to be in town in the early morning, you might see me whizzing by, running in my heels to catch my bus. It's good for a laugh if you do see me, as by the time I board the bus, my polyester skirt has turned sideways and is half way up to my waist, my hair looks as if I combed it with a rake or not combed it {take your pick on that one} and my mascara, depending how brisk the air is that day, will be melted and streaked down my cheeks from my eyes watering as I run in the cold air. Not a pretty sight. I seem to leave the house all perfect and put together and then the "am I going to miss my bus{?}" panic sets in and I become a wild woman running through the alleys and secret passages of St. Ives.
This is like something out of a Stephen King movie - look at this yellow stalker - after me again !!!! Do you see anyone driving it ? But here it was coming after me on the sidewalk !!!
I popped into this alley called Church Passage to escape the yellow demon. Down this passage you will find; a salon, a charity shop, boxing academy, flower shop, taxi office, clothing boutique, architects, etc. And of course, a few churches.
This is the Spiritualist Church. I see from the flyers in the window that they will be having readings in November. I plan to book in. Should be interesting.
Swan graffiti. It's been on this wall ever since I can remember.
And coming full circle I find myself at the quay. The swans are swimming towards me because they think I have bread for them. Little beggars !! I love feeding the ducks. They appreciate the crumbs. The swans are the greedy, bossy types.
One last look down Bridge Street. I'm looking that cross of wood in Woolies. Might be that the wood is really old and when they refreshed the building with paint, the Preservation Society said not to paint those crossbars of wood. Just guessing here.
Until next time.
Thanks for reading Prairie - share the love !!