I find that, after a trying morning in the office, a walk through Cambridge is a good way to clear my head. I can quickly get down to the river, over the old footbridge, and then walk along through Midsummer Common accompanied by the free roaming cattle.
They're gentle creatures, and I can almost feel my blood pressure dropping as we stroll together. There's not that many of them, by they seem to gravitate towards me. Perhaps I look like a sucker, a kind fella who'll give them some kind of tasty snack? Or maybe they see me as some kind of bull-headed kindred spirit? I no more know that than I know who owns them. I assume it's a local farmer, exercising his right to use common land for grazing cattle, but I'm really not certain.
It's possible they're not owned by anyone but themselves?
In fact, they're an enigmatic bunch. Perhaps they're nomadic cattle, late of the Serengeti, electing to eke out their bovine existence on the windswept plains of Eastern England? They probably moved in when nobody was looking, and let everyone assume that, as cattle, they must be someone else's property. And problem.
I try to engage them in conversation in a variety of languages, but they refuse to acknowledge me or answer my simplest questions.
So I can't be sure.
But as I turn to head back to the office, I think I hear one of them talking on a cellphone in Russian.
And I can't find my wallet.
Indigo
Captain's Blog - Supplemental
For those who missed it, I invite you to share in my giddiness and check out the good news in my previous entry. Thank you.
Indigo
This blog entry is protected by copyright © Indigo Roth, 2011
Cattle photo blatantly stolen from Animal Photos
I'm so excited for you. Please post a photo/link to where the book can be bought on your sidebar. I can't get it right now, but I'd like to have it and if it's there when I visit I'll be reminded.
ReplyDeleteAgain, congratulations. Most worthy!
They always do look kind of plaintive don't they. I find them a source of peace too.
ReplyDeleteHey Jayne! I'll do that very thing, thanks for the idea. And thank you; you know how it feels!
ReplyDeleteHey Verity! Thanks for dropping by. Not sure if this is your first visit, but welcome to the blog! I thought your profile was damned interesting; I know exactly what you mean. This blog is where I am right now. If you want to see where I came from, check out the INDIGO 101 link in the sidebar. And I hope you'll stick around for the future; it's gonna be sparkly.
Thanks to you both! Indigo x
ah yes, Vladimir and Helga no doubt... sooth your soul and then take your wallet.
ReplyDeleteRussian - the best gangster language in town :)
ReplyDeleteHey Eolist! I suspect we may be hearing more of the bull they call... Viktor. I hear he's a friend of King's. And not in a "lunch" way.
ReplyDeleteHey Robbie! I think you have to go a long way to beat the traditional Sicilian, but I'm Old School that way. These new fellas are hardcore. Hold tight.
Thanks to you both! Indigo
your so right -cows are an enigmatic bunch and with so much time on their hands {?} who can fail to be amazed that they have learned to speak Russian.
ReplyDeleteRumour has it they're superb pick-pockets too!
I grew up around cows, but those bastards scare me.
ReplyDeleteHi Alistair! You're right - "Time on their hooves" doesn't really scan. Perhaps "Time under their hooves"?
ReplyDeleteHey Joshua! Perhaps their insistence on a black-and-white existence in a traditionally coloured Common is adding to your unease?
Thanks to you both! Indigo
Great photo :)
ReplyDeleteHey Muza-chan! Perfect for the story, but sadly, not one of mine; I have next-to-zero photographic skills. It was borrowed from ANIMAL PHOTOS and credited in the grey matter at the bottom of the post. Indigo
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would trust those cows... the one on the right has a glint in its eye that is just a tad bit frightening.
ReplyDelete