Freemasonry

Almost everyone has heard of the Freemasons, but hardly anyone knows what they do, or why they do it. It is a secretive world, only known to a few. I do know it started a few hundred years ago, as a sort of union for stonemasons. But these days its run for people in power, such as the Police, Government officials and the like.

Eye In The Sky

This crane looks brand new and of the latest design, as the cab is rounded, rather than the usual square box.

I'm not very good with heights, but it must be great sitting up there and looking down over the whole city. To quote an old Who song; "I can see for miles and miles".

Mine of Information

The windows of a local Chinese supermarket are absolutely crammed with posters for cheap international phonecalls, flights and services that might be of interest to Nottingham's Chinese community and student population.

The Pink Bubblegum Car

This vehicle belongs to our local BBC radio station, called naturally enough BBC Radio Nottingham. The station has recently started a marketing campaign to help promote the city, by giving out car stickers with the N01ttingham branding on it.

Lights, Camera, Action

Yesterday I told you about the BBC being in the Market Square. Well I popped along at lunchtime & took some photos. It was interesting to watch, but was a bit disappointed to find out that it was mainly aimed at schools and not the licence paying public. I would have liked to have seen some history about the channel and perhaps have a tape running with some highlights over the last 80 years of broadcasting.

Broadcast News

For the past few days, engineers from the BBC have been setting up a mobile television studio in the Market Square. The aim is to demonstrate how the news & weather are put together, ready for transmitting to the nation.

It's open to the public today. So I'll be going along at lunchtime, to see what is on offer, and of course take some photos. Come back tomorrow for the results.

Bill Posters Will Be Prosecuted

'Only if they can catch him' is what people usually write below such signs! But here's a real bill poster, who won't be sent to court. It amazes me how they manage to remember which order to put the parts of the advertising hoarding up in. Perhaps they are numbered.

Has anyone seen posters put up in the wrong order?

Curry Favour

This local Indian restaurant made the national news last week. Not because it won another curry house award, but because TV celebrity & compare of 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' Chris Tarrant, was arrested there for allegedly throwing a piece of cutlery at another diner.

I don't know what's happened since. But I'll let you know the outcome.

Up, Up On The Roof

This row of lights are at the entrance to the Council House, which is on the left of the picture. The archways on the right lead you out into the Old Market Square. The lights have shined on many a famous person over the last 80 years. The last being the Queen. See April 4th posting.

Something Fishy Going On

Upstairs in the Victoria Centre shopping arcade, stands this large fish tank, full of fish of all sizes. There has been some complaints over the years that the tank isn't in the best designed and kids tend to frighten them by tapping on the glass.

whatever your views, they look contented enough, swimming around and watching all the shoppers go by.

Personally I think they should have a few plants, a sunken ship and a bridge to swim through.

Reach For The Cars

These two Bentley's are used by the Lord Mayor of Nottingham to transport him and his guests around the city. It's actually quite unusual to see both cars outside the Council House at the same time. There was an idea a few years ago of selling off the number plates, to raise some money. But as you can see, it hasn't happened yet.

Horsing Around

I've been away on business this week to Essex, but have still managed to put on the odd photo. The hotel where I was staying is in a village & whilst walking around taking photos (what else), I came across a field of horses. This one was rather nosy & came over to say hello and smile for the camera.

I know it's not really related to Nottingham. But I couldn't resist it.

Hello Suckers

During a shopping expedition to the Victoria Centre the other day, I came across this small publicity exhibition which aimed to show off the full range of Dyson vacuum cleaners. For those that might not know, Dyson's don't use bags and the suction is so powerful, it can remove the pattern off your carpet! Only joking. But they are very good, but expensive.

Flowerpower

Highfields is quite famous for its large collection of rhodendrums. They have been there many years and so are hugh bushes. Here's a flower from one of the plants.

Still Life!

I cycled through Highfields, one of my local parks yesterday,looking for some inspiration, as the sun had come out. After 2 days of continual rain. I came across a few boggy patches, where the water hadn't soaked away & took a picture of the trees reflected in the water. I've enhanced the green in Picasa, to make it look a bit like a Cezanne painting.

Express Pizza

What better mode of transport for bombing round the streets delivering pizzas and kebabs than this little Smartcar? Certainly beats having to ride a moped. Although neither vehicle is good for the environment. Maybe in the brave new world, home food deliveries will cease, or they'll be delivered by bicycle in specially insulated boxes. So you'll have to order earlier than normal.

Flagwaving

Here's a new trader that's appeared in town recently. This one's selling all kinds of flags and football scarves. Don't think many were any good for last night's Eurovision Song Contest. But they look nice and are colourful, but I bet they are of very poor quality.

Like A Bird On A Wire

The opening words to the Leonard Cohen song, but in this shot you get four. Birds that is, not wires! This street light is one of about 8 that came from the original Market Square, and have been transplanted into the new Market Square.

Heavenly Hotel

Here's the sort of hotel everyone would like to check into. Well everyone that loves chocolate that is, as this is a shop that just sells boxes of chocolates.

A rather unusual name for a chocolate shop, but I'm making my booking at this very moment!

Rock This City

Carrying on from yesterday's post, here's a photo of Rock City. One of Nottingham's oldest music venues. Many great names have played here since it began in 1980, although I have never been to see any of them.

Too Light To Rock n Roll

Spotted this manikin in the window of a local musical instrument shop down on Lower Parliament Street. I don't know if the guitar is too heavy for her, or she'd been playing too long without a break.

Walking History

There was recently a promotion of local museums and historical places in the Old Market Square. People were dressed from various historical ages, to give life to the history. Here we see a couple from the Elizabethan era, promoting Nottingham Castle.

Maybe It Makes Sense When Drunk

Spotted this on my way back from my stroll to Sneinton. I don't think there's much more I can add to this photo. Except, can anyone find a sign with similar nonsense?

Tree of Letters

At the entrance to Green's Windmill stands metal sculptures of what looks like trees with letters for leaves. Be great if they were real, as then when autumn came, you could collect some up and spell out your name, or play a giant game of Scrabble.

Blowin In The Wind

This windmill is located just outside the city centre boundary, in a part of town called Sneinton. It was built nearly 200 years ago by a baker called Mr Green. His son George, is perhaps more famous; being the scientist and mathematician. The windmill was restored some years ago, and now produces its own organic flour.

Put Your Cross In The Box

Yesterday was election day for the local councils in the United Kingdom. Church halls, schools etc across the land were used for the general public to vote for whom they'd like to run their local services, such as rubbish collections, crime prevention, road building. The use of Nottingham Castle must be one of the more unusual places to be chosen as a polling station.

Lunchtime

This sculpture is known locally as the Onion, and is on Albert Street, which runs down to Wheeler Gate. It is a water feature, but it was switched off a few years ago for health reasons. So now it is where people sit to eat their sandwiches, read or just watch the world go by.

Treemendous

Here's a young sapling that's growing out of a wall. I don't know how, as there isn't any soil up there. But it seems to be doing quite well, and gently blowing in the breeze.
I wonder how long it will remain there before the building's owners pull it out?

The World's Our Lobster

An oft quote from Arthur Daley in Minder introduces today's theme day, which is about showing a photo of another city. And what better than Sydney, Australia. Possibly the best city in the world. Certainly the most attractive. I took this whilst enjoying a helicopter flight over the area, which was a wedding gift from my relations who live there.