feeling listless

Manchester Life One question crossed my lips as I stepped out into the morning air of the city today. What's with all the cows? Throughout the streets and inside the stations and shopping arcades I found cow sculpture after cow sculpture all brightly painted and lushly patterned. Some were seats, some made noises, all enhanced the look of the city. They were everywhere, in some places which I would have thought were off the beaten track. I didn't really want to know their origin. I just liked them to just be, especially the couple which appeared on roofs looking down on the shoppers below.

They're actually from something called The Cow Parade, a citywide exhibition taking place during the summer months.

"Over 100 life-size, fibre-glass cows, designed and created by top regional, local and celebrity artists will graze individually and in mini herds, throughout the city. Prepare to be amazed and amused and see how many cows you can discover on the cow trail, which will take in the best of the city?s landmark buildings and open spaces....

... As well as keeping the crowds amused, the cows have an ?udder? job to do. A selection of the cows will be the stars of a gala auction on 5 October 2004, with seventy-five percent of the net proceeds donated to Manchester Kids (Registered Charity Number 1087854), who provide funding for children?s and young people?s projects throughout the Greater Manchester area."

A gallery of the cows can be found here. I was worried about the vulnerability of them. Apparently there is a cow hospital which takes in damaged bovines every Monday and repairs any damage which might have been incurred over the weekend. Just incredible.