Posts and replies

[2/x] Ireland's cow may look familiar, because it's the same symbol as used in the UK. It does perhaps look a bit lost in Ireland's spicy yellow diamond warning signs. These two are our only rightwards-facing cattle, as Malta, the only remaining left-hand traffic country in Europe, seems to not have a sign. Score: 7/10

[3/x] Moving onto Germany, we have a more stylised take. I love the way the tail is parallel to the hindquarters, and the alert-looking ears. Wirklich schön! Score: 8/10

[4/x] Next door in Austria we have a very different, almost photo-realistic cow. Honestly, there might be a bit *too* much detail to be appreciated at speed, though I do like the very distinct eyelashes. Score: 7/10

[5/x] Let's move on to Spain, the home of el toro bravo. Regrettably, their road sign of the same resembles an under-inflated pool toy. The legs aren't even level with each other. Disappointing. Score: 2/10

[7/x] Heading north to Finland, we have, uh, apparently nothing. Finland is clearly cold enough that all cattle are likely to be in the sauna, and therefore pose minimal risk to road traffic. Better luck next time, Finland!

[8/x] Finland's next-door neighbour Sweden gives us our first Moo on the Move. She has places to be, and those places might involve her crossing the carriageway, so watch out! A solid 7/10, but her attitude bumps her up to an 8.5/10.

[9/x] Continuing west, we come to Norway. The little balls on the end of her horns keep the viewer safe from accidental perforation. Some nice detail on the head, but she does seem to exude a sort of deep Weltschmerz that brings the mood down a bit. 5/10

[10/x] Poland brings us this boldly angular interpretation, and like Sweden's, she has places to be. She is stunning, and she knows it, and she's power-walking to get an iced latte before her lunch break is over. 9/10.

[11/x] Switzerland brings us *checks notes* a unicorn with udders. Inventive, but potentially misleading, unless I'm very misinformed about where gruyère comes from. 3/10.

[12/x] Switzerland's fellow Francophone country, uh, France, shows us how it's done with this compact but powerful-looking stylised entry. You get the feeling that she's facing away from the viewer, but perhaps glancing backwards to catch our eye. Deeply moving. 9/10

l13/13] Finally, we have this highly symbolic entry used in many parts of the former USSR (this example is Ukraine's). This one is such a strong design – every unnecessary part is stripped away, leaving us only with a strong sense of bovine-ness. The foreshortened perspective allows the symbol to take up maximum space within the triangular sign, while the head facing the viewer shows off the animal's personality. I can almost hear the pasture in high summer. 10/10, no notes.

@niels she does look quite quiet and gentle here!

@alex
Most of the time, yep. Occasionally a flock will run alongside you on their side of the fence when you bike past.

The big exception is that day when they get out of the stable after the winter. Then they go all crazy and crash through fences. It's great fun for a ten years old to help drive them back in!

@gilesdring oh god, that reminds me when I accidentally got lost in a colony of arctic terns near Hellissandur, who were very keen to chase me away as soon as possible. Didn't see that sign there though…
@alex

@daniel_bohrer @alex Ooof. Arctic terns are pretty vicious!

@gilesdring they are! Luckily they didn't get me… and I was even able to snap a picture and not break a leg in the process, although it was very blurry

@eerko clearly a relative of the German one – I like the stylisation, although her very straight legs make her look somehow a bit nervous? It’s tough being a sign cow. 7.5/10

@eerko on reflection, I revised her score upwards – unlike the German cow she has to worry about things like ‘will the sea flood my field’, so her anxiety is very understandable and also quite relatable.

@david most action packed so far – she has amazing core strength! Part of me wishes this was in a standard warning sign diamond, but I’ve got to admit they’ve made great use of the canvas

@alex @david we have them and they look like this:

https://www.austockphoto.com.au/image/asphalt-country-road-with-cattle-crossing-warning-wpqwD

@TerrorBite @david I like that they’ve given the cow a sheepy friend!

@alex @TerrorBite @david Your typical Australian sign https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AU-SA_road_sign_W5-SA63.svg is basically just the Irish one but chunkier. Also, more centred as opposed to being offset to the left.

@alex

Oh and if you like, the above sign plus more can be found at the following link, along with guidance for installation!
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/roads-and-rail/traffic-control-devices-manual/part-5-traffic-control-devices-for-general-use-between-intersections/miscellaneous-warning-signs/

@IceNine Thanks! I like the Kiwi cow symbol – seems like a cousin of the UK/Ireland/Cyprus one

@alex

Yeah, very similar but with a less pointy nose - seems more accurate.

@blogdiva @alex

Big Beef has suppressed the Voice of Cow.

They only listen to the Bull of the Road, because surely the alpha male is right?

Right for the dinner plate.