Jonathan Biddle – Made in Taiwan

Tag: Cambridge

  • Mud, Glorious Mud

    Dad and I braved the incredible (almost) sub-zero temperatures to attempt to ride along the new-fangled Guided Busway route from St. Ives to Cambridge, using the old railway lines. Running was smooth for much of the way, but we hot trouble where the construction ran out, and the mud arrived in typical self-adhesive fashion, entirely locking our wheels up, and leaving Dad dragging his bike the rest of the way (to the pub, at least).

    All very amusing – this time next year we should be able to whistle up there in no time.


    Trooper.


    Suspension not working optimally, perhaps.


    This never happens in Taiwan


    Just in time – cheers!

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Mr. & Mrs. Hargreaves

    My sister is now called Eleanor Hargreaves – fancy that!

    Months of preparation, planning and preening – not mine, I might add – culminated in a quite, quite wonderful occasion, that would set a new standard if people started measuring these things (although based on the number of Excel spreadsheets circulated and revised to plan the event, some pretty detailed data visualisation could probably be generated).

    I was willingly roped in to MC the event, which was spread between the University Arms Hotel (with appropriate pop festival sound track) and Emmanuel College (backing vocals provided by the porter telling me and everyone else to stay off the grass). Family members came from far and wide, and it was truly strange to have both sides of the family together in one place – well, I suppose since Mum and Dad got hitched. It was a shame of course that I couldn’t spend more time with everyone, but I was chasing a stop watch attached to a large suspended axe if I dared get the timing wrong.

    The epic planning managed to balance formal with personal, poignant with anarchic. It was a pleasure to have any involvement at all – so good luck guys! (I am sure you planned for that too)


    My suggestion to leave the hair like this fell on deaf ears.


    Dahling!


    Ele prepares to leave the house for the last time as a Biddle!


    Dad – your waistcoat is where, exactly?


    Flars and megapixels


    Mum’s ‘fascinator’ (my new word of the day)


    The locals stop traffic for the beast (and my sister in the passenger seat)


    The marriage procession


    Signed up for love!


    Beards ruled the day


    Granny and mum watch with delight


    A brave new world


    Sniper in position …


    … ready to take the shot!


    Ele has her cake and eats it


    Dad surveys the scene at Emmanuel


    Not your average cookie-cutter wedding!


    Second new word of the day is ‘gavel’ – and as MC I took great pleasure in knocking the hell out of it to get peoples’ attention as the speeches progressed.


    Save me a piece!

    I am positive that there will be more photos to come as various family members collect and collate the shots – but these are my personal ones of the day. Have a great time in Croatia, Ele and Dave Hargreaves!

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • The Last Supper

    In the rush for the wedding, I was quite concerned that I would not be able to find time to really hang out with Ele before she dropped her Biddle nomenclature, but her calm planning meant that we were able to dine together on the Thursday before the steamroller of ‘Super Saturday’ swept all before it.

    We dropped into the Gardinia right on the side of the River Cam, which had pretty okay food, but certainly the best riverside views in Cambridge, down as were at ‘punt-level’ with the guys driftin by, munching on their curries (an act of genius on the part of the local Indian take-aways).

    A very nice night indeed!


    Ele looks cheeky


    Lads hard at work.

    And in other news, I managed to pop down to London to see Phil and drop in on a few museums. I was pleased to catch the ‘China Design Now’ exhibition at the V&A;, which was certainly the best event focusing on Sino-creativity I have been to thus far, I got my regular visit in at the Tate Modern, and I caught Sam Hecht’s show at the Design Museum, along with a pretty thorough Richard Rogers retrospective. All cultured up, I felt pretty pleased with myself.


    Christpher Wren’s St. Paul’s Cathederal, in all its renovated glory.


    I am almost certain I take the same photo every time I walk over this bridge “The Blade of Light”.


    The exterior of the Tate, decorated with pretty arresting street art for an exhibition inside.


    The interior resplendent in the light (with the populous shivering outside – it was bloody freezing!)


    I do appreciate these little acts.

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Summer Sport

    There is a moment in the year that marks, for me, the official start of the summer. Forget the calendars, throw out the science, it’s down to three things: A. The start of the Tour de France. B. Wimbledon. C. The British Grand Prix.

    That these things start together on the same weekend, that I have not been in the UK to witness this spectacle for many years, and the fact that I have not really watched any telly since Christmas, well, it was certain that I was to enter my own summer sporting event – that of the Television Marathon. And what a day – killer Grand Prix, and after a good bottle of wine, a definitive Wimbledon final. Oh I do miss home sometimes.


    On your marks…


    Set…


    … pass the wine!

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Cambridge, Cardiff and Family


    Little Red Riding Hoods – my jacket is red too! Ele – sort it out!

    I am getting harassed by my sister to upload some pics of the Christmas holidays, so here I am, catching up with a few of the events from the last few weeks back home.

    It sort of feels like a long time ago… but one thing is for sure; I am starting this year with a better mood than when I went home. The effects of seeing good friends and family. And I’ll be back for your wedding sis!

    Cambridge


    The new ‘Guided Bus’ lane near my house that replaces the railway track, and is 15 years in the planning.


    Say Treeees.


    Are you going to pour it, or take photos of it?


    The view from my bed since I was about 8 years old


    The laaaaads!

    Wales:


    My Favourite Granny and I pose with the ‘Deng Long’ that I sent her from Tainan.


    Granny does her stand-up act


    Moi?


    My cousin Cerys!! Cute!


    Walking in Wales


    Surveying the scene, before a thick blanket of fog descends


    … and at the top of the hill, on the way back, after the fog lifted!

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Back to London

    On my way back to London …


    Top deck


    Reflections of the underground

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Just a Walk in the Park

    Had a wee trip into town today to glance at the shops and spend some time with the girls. Grabbed some candid shots, as they simply wouldn’t stand still!


    ZOOM ZOOM


    Ele, wrapped up warm

    And a lovely day spent visiting Grandpa near Leicester. Oh it’s so good to see him, and he always manages to tickle me with his wit, emerging as if from nowhere. Sadly, I never remember any of his gags, but we spend most of our time rolling around laughing at and with eachother.

    We even had a development of our ‘French Kiss’, which somehow morphed into including a comment about Nanny’s tongue – don’t worry.. you needed to be there. A Biddle family classic moment.


    More wine for Grandpa!
    The Biddle Family

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Christmas in England

    After almost one year away, it is fantastic to be back. As a contrast to last year, which felt more like coming up for air, this year I feel much more confident and relaxed to be home. Much has happened in the last year, so I can only guess what is likely to happen in the next twelve months.

    Mum!

    Wandering back from the pub after a swift jar on Christmas Day

    Grub’s up – home cooked food after a year away tasted so sweet


    Dad gives Mum the lowdown on her present – the new GPS device – on a Boxing Day stroll in the local fields


    I’m dreamin’ of a white Christmas


    Grandpa works it for the camera


    We are family

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Life, Oh Life

    Had a sustained day of drinking with Phil n Graham today in town – it felt great to be with all the guys again and was just what I needed. We did the obligatory curry, pub run and of course ended up in life oh life which was sadly much shitter than usual (yes, even more shit).



    Cambridge, near The Eagle pub and impending hangover



    Myself, Phil, Ewan, Mark and Joanne in formation

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • A quick walk

    Took good advantage of being up early and wandered out to take some photos of the local area while it was still cold and frosty. I had a nice little walk through some of the local woods and thought a photo of a Church would be appropriate, seeing as it’s Christmas ‘n’ all. What blue skies.



    St. Andrew’s Church in Histon

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…