Mirror, mirror on the Wall

This is the Sky Mirror, and it stands outside the Nottingham Playhouse. It was designed by Anish Kapoor a few years ago. It doesn't revolve or anything. It just sits there and creates reflections of what's going on, on its two surfaces, like this one of the Albert Hall and cafe diners enjoying the sunshine.

All the Fun of the Fair

Well in this case, the theatre. This sculpture highlights the direction of Nottingham's two main entertainment venues, namely the Theatre Royal and the Playhouse. The artwork needs slightly updating, to take account of the Arena, where Elton John recently performed.

Unwrapping the Future

This building used to belong to the Co-Op, and was one of Nottingham's main department stores. It was built around 100 years ago, and was very well known throught the county; even the Beatles played there in the early 1960's. But due to the changing trends and fashions, it closed about 8 years ago. For a few years it stood empty and forlorn. But developers have bought the building and it is going to open sometime in the future as a casino and shopping arcade. The building houses some impressive features, including an Art Deco staircase, which hopefully will be retained.

Tunnel Vision

This tunnel leads into the Park area from Derby Road. I came across it by accident, although I knew it existed. I wasn't sure where it was, as the Park entrance is now obscured by new houses and the Derby Road one by an office block. Apparently it was created as an entrance/exit for horse drawn coaches. It looks impressive though.

All the World's a Stage

Here we have a display of posters that advertise the productions that have appeared at the Nottingham Playhouse. Their shows run for around a month, thereby giving people more opportunity of seeing a performance, than if they were there for just one week. I have seen The White Album, which was written around this lads' obsession with the Beatles record, and portrayed scenes of events to accompany each of the 30 songs.

Horse Sense

Police on horseback are usually seen at football matches, demonstrations and places where there are large gatherings of people and trouble may be brewing. These two riders are clearly a world away, just standing near the Old Market Square and watching the world go by. Whilst getting ready to take the photo, I saw some people talking to them. I wonder if they were asking if there was any manure going?

Moonbase Alpha?

This building which looks like it belongs on the Moon, is actually inflateable and is part of the Lakeside Art Centre's children's theatre festival. It is called the Amozozo Luminarium and you see different lights as you walk around inside. It has been created by a group calling itself the "Architects of Air", which sounds like a New Age folk band.

Stag at Bay

Around the country are large chalk figures created on hillsides. The most famous being the Cerne Abbas Giant. Wollaton Park has its own figure, albeit on a smaller scale. It is of a stag, as there are quite a few deer roaming around the park. From the number of people sitting around the edges of his profile, he seems to be a good place for a rest or a picnic.

Stand and Deliver

This plaque stands in the castle grounds and informs visitors of the dramatic events that helped shape English history 360 years ago. The English Civil War lasted until 1649, when Oliver Cromwell became Protector of England and the country is ruled as a republic. This lasted until May 1660, when Charles II became king after Cromwell died and anarchy was widespread in the country.

Music for Lunch

Whilst idling away the time during my lunch hour, I popped into my local Fopp store, to see if there were any bargain CD's on offer, when I spotted this musician getting ready to play a set. I couldn't stay around to hear what he sounded like, or indeed find out what his name was.

Busman's Holiday

What do bus drivers & ex bus drivers do with their spare time? Drive buses of course! This particular bus is in the livery of a former local bus company called Bartons. The company not only operated local routes, but also did trips to the seaside. I didn't really like going on them, as they had a perculiar smell and they always made me travel sick. The company isn't around anymore, having merged with Trent a few years ago.

Another House That Watson Built

Here is another fine example of the arcitectural skills of the late Watson Fothergill. This particular building in in the Market Square area. Underneath it are shops. It was difficult taking the photo, as the square is currently being redeveloped and access is restricted.

Who's There?

Doctor Who is the world's longest running science fiction TV series. It began in November 1963, and after a number of years in the wilderness, his TARDIS, Daleks etc are back on our screens on a Saturday evening. The TARDIS is based on the old Police phone boxes that were a common sight on the streets on England up until the late 1960's. It's where a policeman could ring the station for assistance, should a crime be taking place. It all changed when officers were issued with radio sets, or 'walkie, talkies'as they were commonly known. This example stands in the courtyard of the Galleries of Justice, on High Pavement.

Summer's Here

Yipee! Britain's summer is finally here. After waiting weeks, and dodging the rain in between, the sun has finally go his hat on. So should these people, as they relax in the warmth and being observed by the statue of Robin Hood, who has been the subject of a previous photo.

Who Lives in a House Like This?

This Tudor style building is called Severn's House. It presently stands opposite the Castle, but was moved from Low Pavement when the Broad Marsh shopping centre was built. The building was originally a resturant, but is now home to a small lace museum.

Tiptoe Through the Tulips?

Not quite, but I was amused to see these giant footprints amongst this flowerbed in the castle grounds. It was planted to promote 'Green Weeks', the month long celebration and promotion of environmental issues and what we are doing to the planet. Our ecological footprint.
It must have taken some working out to get this display looking so perfect. I hope it lasts all summer long.

Oh England My Lionheart

Lions have always been included in royal emblems of England, and this weatherworn example is one of a pair that stands guard at the foot of some stairs that lead up to the entrance to Nottingham Castle. I wonder if the lion was holding a sword in its paw when it was originally carved by a stonemason?

Deals on Wheels

The answer to yesterday's question was a mobile shop. Did you guess correctly?
As you can see from the photo, this old van & hundreds like it used to be quite a common sight on British roads. These days not so much, as most people have cars & easy access to shops & supermarkets. But up until say the late 1960's things were different, especially in rural areas, where traders used to go around selling all sorts of things from the back, or side of a van. Today the only real mobile shops are ice cream vans & to a lesser extent, mobile libraries.

Shopper's Paradise

Here's a bit of a mystery photo for you all today! Can you guess what sort of shop would sell items like this? From the style and appearance of the goods on offer, they are rather old and well used. So get your thinking caps on. Solution tomorrow.

You're Nicked!

In the Lace Market area of the city, stands the old court building. This was a court of law before the new building was opened, see May 24th photo. The building is now a museum called The Galleries of Justice. As the name suggests, the museum is dedicated to crime & punishment. The small police station here was on the tv a few years ago, when the BBC showed a series about a poilce inspector called Resnick, and the doorway was used as his station's entrance. The court building has also been in front of the cameras, as it stood in for the old Bailey in the film Scandal.

Cheers!

To celebrate my 50th photo, I am publishing this photo of Nottingham's most famous and the oldest drinking house in England, namely The Trip to Jerusalem. It is situated directly underneath the castle, and there are caves running through the inn. According to legend, the pub got its name from Richard the Lionheart's soldiers stopping off there for a few beers before they went off to fight in the Crusades. The pub is reported to be haunted, as sometimes people spend the night there ghosthunting!

Head Over Heels

Street entertainers are a curious bunch. They learn tricks & skills that hopefully will entertain the public, but with no guarantee that they will make any money & maybe end up in trouble with the police.

This acrobat certainly captured the imagination of his audience, looking at the expressions on some of their faces.

Road Frog

Sports cars come in all shapes and sizes, but it's the thrill of the open road and the gust of wind through ones hair that brings their main attraction. This little sports car is nicknamed the Frog Eyed Sprite, due to the style of the headlights and grill which represents an open mouth. A classic British sports car from the late 1950's.

Where's the Fire?

I saw these rolled up fire hoses on a stationary fire engine and thought they looked like snakes with their mouths open ready to pounce. Everyone sees fire engines rushing about with sirens going, but it's rare to see some of the equipment that they carry these days.

It's Not a Car Park

Wollaton Park is a large expanse of green space, a few miles from Nottingham city centre. It is over 400 years old and is very popular with both tourists and residents. Inside the hall is a natural history museum, but as you can see from the photo, which I took on Sunday at the car rally, it is closed for major renovations. The park also contains a large lake, the Camelia House, which is like a large greenhouse and a big steam powered engine, which is very interesting to watch.

It's a Dog's Life

What can one say about this photo? Can Rover here be the laziest dog in the world, or are the owners silly enough to push their pooch around? Whatever the answer is, both pet and owners appear to be happy with the arrangement. Shame their isn't room in the cart for a bowl of water and a few Bonio's!

Fares Please!

Many of you may think that I have just been to London for the day & took the photo whilst waiting at a bus stop. Well you'd be wrong. Actually Gail (my darling wife) and I spent the day, not more than 3 miles away from home, at a autokarna in Wollaton Park. It was great fun & saw many vehicles, from Model T Ford's to Rolls Royces. There were lots of buses & trucks, which I remember from my childhood. A few may appear here in the near future, so everyone can see what proper vehicles used to look like, before they all became identical, anonymous metal boxes.

Step This Way

You may think this is an old photo, being in black and white, but the vehicles at the bottom give it away. Although the area hasn't changed that much through the ages. These steps are actually another way into the Park area of the city.
The wall on the left side is part of the castle. Quite interesting seeing the bricked up archway. Possibly a doorway of some kind. Probably not a window, as most castles just had narrow slits, so nothing could get in, but arrows could be fired out.