The Cow and Astornaut of Barnes: A Mystery

or "Moooo-ston we have a problem"?

On my jaunt to Barnes this weekend I noticed two neighbors on prestigious Thames waterfront properties were playing the most interesting game of Keeping up with the Kardashians. 

In my mind one neighbor threw a tacky piece of art on their balcony and -not to be outdone- the people next door bought the first life size art they could find and plonked it down on their balcony.

Evidence here:

Cow sculpture in Richmond

Astronaut statue in Richmond

After some extensive google investigation, I found that this Salt Cow of Barnes was part of the Cow Parade in 2002, and was sold in an auction in October of that year. The sculpture is officially called "Salt Beef".

One thing that annoys me that the sculpture is clearly of a bull, but is mysteriously called a cow. I may only be annoyed because I was a blue-jacket wearing, card carrying member of the FFA  (that you probably know from Napolean Dynamite). But maybe I shouldn't get caught up in bovine gender identity issues when there is a greater mystery at hand.

The Buzz Lightyear Aldrin homage remains an enigma, as no amount of searching turned up a background. This leads me to believe that the Salt Beef was the first quirky statue on the block and the astronaut was a hasty addition.

Have you seen the 'Cow' and Astronaut of Barnes? Do you know their story? Share!

Celebrating Autumn with a London Walk in Barnes

The beginning-of-autumn-in-London weekend I had planned in my mind went out the window, but I managed to go for a walk in the more suburban part of the city to see the colors starting to change.

Though I had planned on going to Richmond Park, line work on the train had me walking around Barnes instead. Barnes has a real small, rich village vibe, though it is still in London. Some of the larger streets with detached houses, driveways and wide sidewalks feel almost American, which help soothe my autumnal homesickness. 

Thinking I was going to Richmond, I hadn't planned out a route for Barnes and ended up walking 4 miles more than intended. So here are some photos that prove- though we don't know our final destination, it can be a beautiful journey along the way.

Weeping Willows in Barnes Common

Flats behind Barnes pond

Rowers on the Thames in front of Hammersmith

Close up of Hammersmith Bridge medallion

How did you celebrate the first autumn weekend of 2011?