The Lion Won't Sleep Tonight

It's a long tradition in Nottingham for people who are going out together, to meet up by the lions outside the Council House. Tonight will be no exception as it's New Year's Eve. All the pubs and clubs will be doing a roaring trade. As for myself and my darling Gail, we will be at home, probably watching the tv whilst sipping some wine.

All good wishes for 2007 & happy blogging.

B Is For Bird

Here's an enjoyable way of learning the alphabet. I spotted this amusing shot on Thursday which was a very dull and wet day, so unfortunately the photo itself is a bit bland and colourless.

All The Fun Of The Fair

Now that the builder's are nearing the completion of the market square redevelopment, things are starting to happen there again. What better way to entertain the kids while they are on holiday, than a spin on a merry go round?

Street in Sunlight

As you can probably guess, this photo was taken a few weeks ago, before I had problems with my Internet provider. It's one of the many, many streets that make up the city centre that has a mixture of old and new buildings. If you're wondering, it's a multi storey car park on the left hand side.

By Dawn's Early Light

I don't know about you, but these long dark mornings really get me down. Maybe I suffer from what they call SAD, or seasonal adjustment disorder. Anyway I was pleased to see the sun rising up and lighting up the sky.

Read All About It

I think this will be the last Christmas 2006 photograph from Nottingham, now that it is Boxing Day & I'm back to work tomorrow. This one is of the few booths across the city centre that sell the local evening paper. There used to be a lot more about, but they have disapperared over the last few years, due to I suppose many factors like different shops selling the paper now & possibly the Internet.

Incidently, the story relates to the East Midlands Airport sudden decision to change it's name. It was known as the EMA, then it became Nottingham EMA & now it's called EMA Nottingham, Derby, Leicester.

A Quiet Night In

Nottingham city centre, and everyone has headed home to be with their loved ones. Things will be quiet for a day or two, before the rush of the January sales starts, and everyone tries to hunt out a bargain. People will be shocked to find out that the same item they bought just two days ago, is now on offer for half price or less.

Oh such is life!

Santa for Sale

If Santa needed a new outfit, here's just the stall he need's to come to. Although I think he may be too big for them. Perhaps tonight, we had better not put as many mince pies out, so in that way, he'll be able to find one to fit.

Have a great day tomorrow!

Frozen Solid

Seeing this mime artist called the Silverman not actually move for several minutes, anyone would think that he had been frozen to the spot by the very cold weather snap we have experienced in the last few days. But he did move and proceeded to juggle with some glass balls. Quite a lot of people took some time out from their shopping expeditions to stand and watch.

Happy Chrismouse

Here's a shot of a very decorated window belonging to the Diddl shop. I think it looks very colourful and festive, and is bound to entice shoppers in to buy copies of the little mouse for their children.

The Night Closes In

Here's a nightshot of the Trip, Nottingham's oldest pub with added fog. I'm sure you've all seen the news stories about flights cancelled at Heathrow Airport. Although it would be nice to see some sun over the festive period, I'm quite happy to be snuggling up on the sofa watching the Great Escape for the 27th time.

Ace's High

This photo of Albert Ball's statue in the castle grounds is my 200th entry, but due to the problems I've been having it's only really the 198th. Anyway, Albert Ball was a World War 1 fighter pilot who died in 1917 at just 20. For further information about this young hero, there is a dedicated website where you can learn more about him.

Music From The Andes

Buskers are an everyday feature of city life these days, and quite a number have featured in many daily photo sites over the past year. Well here's my contribution in the shape of these colourful characters playing the panpipes etc. This sort of music was very popular a few years ago after a tv series was shown about the condor.

Tower of Toys

One of our local radio stations recently erected this tower for people to bring unwanted toys for local charities. As I don't happen to listen to this particular station, I don't know how many toys they collected & where they went.

I wouldn't mind the shed for my garden though.

Doing What It Says On The Tin

I don't know if this guy cleaning this bus shelter is fully responsible for making Nottingham's street's cleaner, or the fact that there are more litter bins about. But according to this poster they are supposed to be 35% cleaner. So that's only 2 chocolate bar wrappers blowing around, rather then 3?

The Car Of Many Colours

Here's a neat solution for when you can't decide what colour to choose for your new car. Have a bit of everything! Don't know what the owner would say to the Police though, should it get stolen. Well officer, it's blue, red, pink...

Mind you what thief would dare nick a car like that?

Still Here, But In Words Only

I was hoping posting 195 would have been another view of my city, but alas the problems with my ISP still continue. I will be writing a serious letter of complaint & will probably try and find another provider very, very shortly.

If anyone knows of a reliable, customer orientated company, then please let me know.

The Show Will Go On

Hi fellow bloggers, just thought I'd update you with my situation. It appears that British Telecom have informed my Internet company that I'm no loger with them and so have stopped my connection. This is completely wrong & I'm making further enquiries and speaking to Trading Standards. The trouble is that I've been told that it's going to take another 5 days to get my connection back and I can start putting my photos back on again.

My Blogger Won't Come Back

I'm having problems with my Internet line at home at the moment & I can't seem to upload my photos at work, so alas I can't keep you up to date with what's happening in Nottingham.

Hopefully normal service will be resumed as soon as, as I know how much you enjoy looking and reading about my snapshots.

Santa's Little Helpers

Here's a homage to all those great Christmas pop songs that we always start to hear about now. I think the most famous is probably the one by Slade. 'Merry Chrismas Everybody' has been played at every disco, party and on every radio station since 1973.

Here we go; "Are you hanging up your stocking on the wall..."

Down Memory Lane

This demonstration by the Alzheimer's Society is about the first in the Market Square for over a year, due to the ongoing construction work. It is in response to the Government's recent short sighted plan to withdraw funding for medicines for the unfortunate individuals who have this disease. Apparently it only costs £2.50 or 3.6 euros a day to keep someone's mind healthy, rather than hundreds to keep them in hospital, or worse, in a home.

And on the Other Channel

Just so that I am not accused of any televisual bias after yesterday's photo, here's the BBC's version of the outside broadcast van.

Broadcasting to the World

Here's one of the mobile TV vans that are sent out to cover news stories from around the Midlands region. With all the latest equipment, these vans have got smaller over the years. When TV got going properly in the 1950's, the size of the vans used to be as big as those for moving furniture in.

Saints or Sinners?

Following on from yesterday's photo, here is a close up of one of the figures I was telling you about. There are a number of them around the top edge of the building, both men and women & all in different poses. As a sub-project, I might try and take a photo of all of them. It would be great if they cleaned the building up though, then it would be a dazzling white.

Rooftop View

I took this photo from the top floor of the Cornerhouse, a small food & entertainment complex that has been open a few years now. The big white building is called the Elite building, and it was originally built as a cinema at the turn of the 20th century. During the 1980's it was a bingo hall & now it is used as a nightclub. There are a number of figures around the top of the building of both men & women & could be saints.

Mouse in the House

Here's something you don't often see. A whole shop dedicated to one character. In this case it's a mouse called Diddl. I know nothing much at all about the toy, as he doesn't seem to be that well known in this country. But I thought the window display looked quite colourful.

Sign of the Times

Here is another old factory that has been put to a new use. It was used for lace dyeing and belonged to Hicking Pentecost, but now it has been turned into an adult restaurant called Hooters. During the 1980's, I used to work in the building next door. It was empty for a few years, but has now been turned into luxury flats. A recent survey by our local paper, has found out that there are in the region of 600 empty flats in the city centre. But they keep building more. Why?

A Quiet Moment

This area is beside the Trip pub and next to the Castle. The museum of Nottinghamshire life is in front, with the famous caves to the left. The land used to belong to the local water board. I posted their wrought iron gate a few months back. As today is Rememberance Sunday, I thought this looked a good place to contemplate victims of war since 1914.

Underage Drinkers?

This is the sign for one of the many hostileries in the city. It's called the Royal Children after the offspring of James the Second's daugher Anne, who apparently used to play with the landlord's children, as the location of the pub isn't too far from the castle.

Flower Friday

What a better way of ending the working week, than buying a bunch of flowers for your home or loved one. This flower shop on King Street has quite a selection of types and colours to choose from.

Autumn Over the Battlements

Autum is now with us with cold mornings and the leaves on the trees turning brown and covering the ground. Although this photo of the Castle is taken in sunshine, you can clearly see the colours of the season.

Bondi Express

Well, not exactly. This is actually an advert on the back of a local bus for a new furniture store in one of Nottingham's suburbs. Due to the change of shape of the buses these days, full adverts like these are beginning to appear. I will certainly be looking out for some more examples. This one is for Sally and Nathalie, who produce blog sites of Sydney in Australia.

Hard and Soft

Passing a local antiques shop, I noticed these old stone flasks nestling neatly in between some fancy cushions. I think they make quite a nice little window display. I couldn't see how much any of them were though.

Branches of Life

Yesterday, as many people will know was fireworks night, so you will all be expecting me to put on a photo of a bonfire or some sparklers. But I thought I would show this very nice and well designed bonsi tree instead.

What a Waste

Here's something you don't see everyday, a designer litter bin. This is only the second one I've seen in the city. I have no idea why it has been painted in this way, as all the other ones around town are just black with gold lining. Perhaps it is an encouragement to keep the streets tidy.

Snap Happy

Walking down Derby Road, I spotted this giant poster in an art shop advertising a local photographic company: Lifephotographic. Naturally I had to stop and take a snap or two. The models in the photo look very relaxed and happy. They remind me of the group Girl's Aloud.

The Sun Always Shines

Although it was cold yesterday, the sun was really bright and hardly a cloud in the sky, making it perfect photography weather. Just to prove it, here's a snap of the Greek church near Canning Circus.

The Nightwatchman

Now that the dreaded dark nights are here until March, looking at suitable subjects for photographing is a bit more challenging, as you need a good eye and a steady camera. Here's a floodlit Robin Hood statue as my opening shot.

Something About To Disappear

Today is theme day in the world of the daily photo blogger, and as the title suggests, this month's theme is something that is about to be lost forever. My contribution is this house in the Park, which is about to be knocked down and replaced with even more luxury flats. Personally I couldn't live in a flat, as I enjoy having a garden and not having to put up with noisy and nosey neighbours.

Around 50 bloggers are participating, with the links below. Don't forget the time differences across the world.

1 (Porto ) -2 (Seattle WA USA (Kim) ) -3 (London, UK ) -4 (Greenville, SC ) -5 (Albuquerque, NM (USA) ) -6 (St Paul Kate ) -7 (ShangHai, China ) -8 (Phoenix, Az ) -9 (Twin Cities, MN ) -10 (Sequim, WA ) -11 (Stayton, OR, USA ) -12 (Bandung (Indonesia) ) -13 (Dallas, USA ) -14 (Stavanger (Norway) ) -15 (Singapore (zannnie) ) -16 (Budapest (Hungary) ) -17 (Paris (France) ) -18 (Tuzla (BiH) ) -19 (Melbourne, (Aust.) ) -20 (Auckland, New Zealand ) -21 (Singapore (Raymond) ) -22 (Dubai UAE (DXBluey) ) -23 (Vantaa, Finland ) -24 (Oshawa, Ontario, Canada ) -25 (St. Paul MN Carol ) -26 (Singapore (Keropok) ) -27 (Delta Colorado, USA ) -28 (Rotterdam (Netherlands ) -29 (Queens, NY (USA) ) -30 (Tenerife (Spain) ) -31 (Santiago (Chile) ) -32 (Nelson, New Zealand ) -33 (( Japan ) ) -34 (Hyde (UK) ) -35 (Sydney (Sally) ) -36 (Manila, Philippines ) -37 (Aliso Viejo, CA (USA) ) -38 (Nottingham UK ) -39 (Brussels, Belgium ) -40 (Sharon, CT (USA) ) -41 (Sydney Australia (Nathalie) ) -42 (Edinburgh, Scotland ) -43 (Evry, France ) -44 (San Diego, CA (USA)) -

Hell's Kitchen

I'm not really a fan of Halloween & I certainly don't believe in the imported American custom that is Trick or Treat. So I was pondering over what to put on as today's photo. Then I saw the window display of our local Lakeland's, and thought what else does this evening mean to people; eating & drinking of course

They Keep Our Cities Clean - 2

Another vehicle used in the collection of rubbish is the good old dustbin lorry. Although they still perform the same task, their style and method of operation has changed down the years. Most people have 'Wheelie bins' now, instead of the old sytle dustbin, which dustbinmen had to lift over their shoulders to empty.

They Keep Our Cities Clean - 1

Rubbish is a common problem in most parts of the world these days. I'm not sure why, as you can normally find litter bins on most streets in all our towns and cities. Maybe people are just generally lazy and don't care for their enviroment. This means that council workers have to go out and clean up other people's rubbish every day. Here is one of the many vehicles that are used to sweep the streets clean. They are often seen trundling up and down the cities' streets sweeping up drinks cans, cigarette ends and all sorts of paper. The drivers do a fine job and we should all be proud of them.

Tunnel Vision

Today's photo shows one of Victoria Centre's car parks. Bit boring you might be thinking. But actually I believe it is an interesting photo, for what the car park has been built on. The hole was actually part of the old LMS railway line, with a tunnel at each end. The ground has been raised quite a bit, but you can see where the tunnel has been boarded up. For quite a number of years there used to be a painting of a train on the boards which advertised a local shop called Beatties, which sold model cars, plastic kits etc. That too has gone now.

The Spirit of Radio

Yesterday morning our local BBC radio station was doing an outside broadcast close to where I live. I went along to see what Karl Cooper (left) was doing. After he had finished broadcasting, I spoke to him about my blog site and the popularity of photo city blogs from around the world. He appeared to be interested, and so hopefully I may soon appear on the radio like Eric did earlier in the month.

Old and New

Yesterday was the sunniest it's been for a while now & so I was busy snapping away in my lunch hour. I'm quite fond of reflective photos & so here's one of the Victorian Guildhall mirrored by the modern Royal Centre.

Jingle Bells

Walking through the city centre yesterday, I was amazed to see that the council had put up the first of its Christmas decorations, even though we haven't put the clocks back or celebrated Halloween. Although it is a very nice decoration, and an improvement of previous years'ones, I do think it is much too early. There won't be a tree in the Square for the second year, as the building works are behind schedule.

Bye, Bye Butterfly

Yesterday it rained all day in Nottingham, clearly washing away the sunshine. So just to remind people what summer is all about, here's a photo of a Red Admiral getting a suntan on the side of my garage.

Forever Autumn

The season where all the leaves turn to gold and litter the ground is with us again. This photo taken of Tennis Drive in the Park, shows this event clearly underway. It also shows some of the different styles and types of houses that can be found here, from Victorian mansions to new luxury apartments.

It's a Tall Order

Yesterday saw the opening in the city centre of a new clothing store called Lime. Looking on Google, I found out that it is a subsidary of Next the popular high street retailer. These stores sell clothing at cheap prices, similar to Primark, which featured in an August photo. Don't worry, the shop caters for normal sized people too!

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

Out and about, I snapped this lily in the Arboretum after a short rain shower. I do like the pinstripe lines on the leaves.

Skip the Light Fantastic

The weather here has been very dull and overcast for several days now, and it is making the art of taking reasonable photos quite difficult, as the light is flat and the sky is just a plain grey. Here is an example of what I mean. This building used to be part of a railway station in Nottingham that was closed during the Beeching cuts of the 1960's. It is now used by the council. I've turned to photo into black and white, to try and make it a bit more appealing. But note the bland and empty sky.

University Challenge

To compliment Nathalie's recent run of tourist photos of Sydney, I thought I would pick one from Nottingham. Besides the castle & the Robin Hood statue, everyone that visits my city, or is studying at the university always takes a snap of Highfields' lake & the Portland Building. So for those of you who haven't been, here it is.

Back End of a Bus

Nottingham City Transport is our major bus company. Up until a couple of years ago, all the buses were pained in a two tone green livery, but now they are mainly all white except for the front which is painted a different colour, depending on the route. Being all white means that advertising is more clearer to read, and the designs more prominent, such as this one, which is promoting the Easyrider bus pass scheme.