Eyes To The Light

I promise that this will be the last Christmas lights photo for a while & hopefully the final Christmas orientated picture this year, as I'm sure everyone is getting a bit bored now with festive views.

Anyway, this is the front of the Council House that overlooks the Old Market Square. I'm quite certain that these are the same lights that they put up last year.

Skating In The Square

As I mentioned yesterday, a large ice rink has been set up in the Old Market Square. It will be there until the middle of January and costs £7.00 for 45 minutes.

Here's a shot of some skaters giving it a go. This loving couple look devoted to each other as he holds his girlfriends' hand as he leads her round the link. Either that, or he's stopping her from falling over!

We Skate The Light Fantastic

'C' is in full swing in the city now. A giant ice rink has been set up in the Market Square, and of course the German Market. So there's plenty of light and activity going on. I've tried to capture the dark & quiet of one end of the square, with the light and bustle of the other.

One Man And His Paper

The German market has returned to Nottingham for a few weeks. I of course had a wander around looking for that exciting shot. Unfortunately I didn't see anything worth taking of the stalls themselves, but I spotted this stallholder, who was more interested in reading his paper, than trying to sell anything.

A Proper Watering Hole

When people say they are going to the 'hole in the wall', they usually mean they are off to get some money from the ATM. But in this case it's the name of a city centre pub, on North Sherwood Street.

I've no idea why the pub is called what it is, as it's nowhere near any holes!

Today marks my 500th entry, so I'm inviting everyone in the blogging community over for a virtual drink on me.

Ello, Ello, Ello, What's Going On Here Then?

Like many other towns & cities across the country, Beeston switched on it's Christmas lights. No one famous did the honours. Only our mayor pushed the button.

To be different, I decided I wouldn't try snapping the decorations, instead I'd find something interesting at the accompanying small fun fair. Looking around, I spotted this policeman directing the traffic on top of the merry go round.

Night & Day On The Tiles

Following on from yesterday's post of the old newspaper office. Inside the entrance are a number of ornately designed tiles, with four of them having faces on. I have no idea who they are & it doesn't say anywhere. I can only assume that they are of the original publishers of the newspaper.

News For The Day

This ornate entrance to offices on Parliament Street used to belong to an old Nottingham newspaper called I think, the Nottingham Express & Journal. A tabloid that was absorbed into the Nottingham Evening Post during the 1950's.

Sub of the Day - 7

Last, but by no means least is this branch, which is just off the Old Market Square. It's the one that I use the most. Especially when I get a booklet of money off coupons. There are always long queues at this outlet around lunchtime.

I hope you have enjoyed this mini series, and might have given you the idea for one of your own.

Sub of the Day - 6

Houndsgate today, and one of Subway's more smaller branches in the city. it is also one that is a bit out of the way & faces a fair bit of competition. Not just from the cafe next door, but from other food outlets close by.

Sub of the Day - 5

One for the shoppers today. Parliament Street, just up from the Victoria Centre. Also popular with shop workers and people waiting for their bus, as with this couple, who are checking the time of the next bus.

Sub of the Day - 4

Lower Parliament Street this time, and right down the bottom towards the ice rink. Another student hangout and the closest one to the Lace Market.

Sub of the Day - 3

The other end of the city centre today. Derby Road. I remember when this outlet opened last year. They were doing this buy one get one free offer. And no, I only ordered a 6" and not a 12", as I think eating 2, one foot long subs would be a bit too much!

By the look of the to let sign, I don't think it is going to stay open for much longer.

Sub of the Day - 2

If you walk past yesterday's Subway for about 10 minutes up North Sherwood Street, you come across this outlet, which I think is about the newest in the city centre. It's also probably one that is frequented the most by students who are studying at the nearby Trent University, as they tend to live in the area.

Sub of the Day - 1

Many people (like Ham) have run a series of photos over time under the same theme. But I don't think anyone has done it on a daily basis before. So for the next few days, I'm going to show you all the Subway sandwich bars in the city centre. There are actually 7.
So in no particular order, here is the first one; Forman Street. It doesn't look too busy considering it's lunch time. But then there's plenty of choice along there.

Going Mobile

New mobile phone shops appear to be opening almost every day. It seems amazing to me that there is any need, as the market place is swamped already. Today's photo illustrates what I mean; 4 shops almost next door to each other. Their names can almost make up a sentence: The Carphone Warehouse free phones for you oh!

Feeling Tyred?

I couldn't resist taking this cute little Michelin Man relaxing on a lovely black leather sofa. He seems to be very comfortable sitting there and watching the world go by. I can't remember the name of the shop, but they sell all sorts of things to make your home more individual and unique.

Sparks

This electrical business is on Canal Street, and is next to the building site which I showed a couple of weeks ago. I don't know if it is going to be knocked down as well. This would be a shame, as it's quite a well used business by both tradespeople & members of the public, and its a good example of Victorian architecture with lots of character.

Farmyard Frolics

Another market stall. This one is selling models of sheep, pigs and ducks. As you can see they were commanding a fair bit of interest from the shoppers. I wonder how many found new homes. A bit different garden feature don't you think?

Least We Forget

In honour of Remembrance Sunday, I give you these trees, with their sunlit autumnal shades. I know the normal flower is the poppy, but I thought that trees would be a more lasting reminder for those that were lost during the world's battles.

End Of The Line

Here's another of the buildings that is facing the demolition gang. I have no idea what was used for, but it is clearly sometime since it was put to any use. By the state of the brickwork, it looks like it might fall down under its own volition.

Locked Out

This old factory is empty and disused. Someone's put this big metal plate across the doors to stop people breaking in. The whole area is a bit run down and plans are afoot to do something with the land. But for now, here's a reminder of a company that doesn't exist anymore.

Think Pink!

A new designer dress shop has recently opened on King Street. They've gone for a very simple name of Pink, even though looking through the window, they don't appear to be selling any pink outfits. Never mind, I guess Barbie will have to shop elsewhere.

TV Or Not TV

There are 5 main television channels in the UK, as well as numerous satellite & cable stations, but only 2 produce local news; BBC Midlands, whose studios I've shown before & ITV for the Midlands. Central Television, as it used to be known, had quite a big studio complex on Lenton Lane & produced a number of well known programmes, like Woof!, Bullseye & Celebrity Squares. But ITV closed it down a couple of years ago & so the news team moved to a small studio in Toton. But now that's threatened with closure, so some of the journalists were promoting their cause yesterday in the Old Market Square.

The Night Closes In

Last night it became very foggy for a while. I don't know if it was due to the weather or down to the many fireworks parties that had taken place in my neighbourhood. I tried taking some photos from my front garden, but they didn't come out very well. So messing about in Picasa, I created this nighttime scene.

Eat, Drink & Be Merry

Bistro Live describes itself as a live entertainment restaurant. It's where offices parties & hen nights go for their do's. What interested me is the location. They are situated in the basement of the building where I first started my working life, back in the late 1970's. The building belonged to a lace company & they used to store all the raw materials in the basement. When it was needed, they used to bring it up, send it to be dyed & then it was put onto cards or bobbins ready to be sewn onto clothes etc.

Under One Sky

The Old Market Square yesterday hosted an Afro Caribbean market. There were various stalls selling food, clothing and gifts that represented the black community. There was also this dance troupe that were doing some routines, to prove that they do more than the things that are reported in newspapers.

Ice Rocks

I've mentioned the Ice Stadium before, but I don't think I've shown you what the building actually looks like. Well here it is. The area in front is called Bolero Square, and is named after Torvill & Dean's skating routine, which they got all sixes for at the Olympics some 20 odd years ago.
Besides skating, the Arena hosts many concerts, as you can see Meatloaf is playing next week.

November Theme Day - Mr Blue Sky

The title of a smash hit for the 1970's rock band ELO, introduces today's theme of the colour blue. I'm afraid I haven't been very creative this month, but as the sky recently has been very bright, with no clouds (unusual for England), I thought I'd show you this rare occurrence, as I know a lot of you always see clear blue skies every day.

Yes this is genuine sky & not a piece of coloured card!

Once again I couldn't find the list of all the other countries that are participating & due to time differences, some countries may not appear yet.