Say Your Piece

Most people from the UK have heard of Speakers' Corner in London. It's where individuals can stand and say their piece about how bad the Government is, or that you can only get tins of pilchards in tomato sauce. Now Nottingham has created its own version for residents to voice their opinions.

It's only been going a few days, and I'm not sure anyone yet has given it a go. I will certainly take some photos of anyone brave enough to stand there and talk to passers by.

Triangle of Love

This recent street exhibition was all designed by local children of varying ages. They were also made to be lit up at night.

Thanks to all my visitors who were kind enough to leave messages on the 26th, regarding my birthday & wedding anniversary. Even though we were both working, we had quite a nice day and received several cards.

Double Celebrations

Today is a special day for both Gail and I. Besides being my birthday, it's our second wedding anniversary. Two years ago we stood in the Chinese Gardens in Sydney, Australia and said "We do". It was probably the happiest day of my life so far, and despite the odd difference of opinion, we are both very happy.

Can Pigs Fly?

Besides the famous Pink Floyd pig that escaped and flew over Battersea Power Station, such animals are usually seen on farms rolling around in mud. So I was quite surprised to see this one floating around the Old Market Square one evening.

The Write Stuff

Nottingham Playhouse is staging quite a few literary classics during the forthcoming season. We may go and see some of them. I don't know how similar they will be to both the written source and the film versions, or whether any famous actors will be appearing in them.

Mini Ha Ha

I just had to take a snap of this Mini, with its blue paint and decals. I had no idea of what the website was about, so have just Googled it. The company apparently specialises in student party nights, and are in the process of setting one up in Nottingham. Every night in Nottingham seems to be a student night of some description. It makes me wonder how they find the time to study.

I can't say I'm a fan of the new Mini, as it's not the classic design, and was amused to see that it had received a parking ticket.

Stick Em Up

What better way to disguise a boarded up building than to cover up the boards in stickers. Someone has done exactly that to this one in Hockley. I particularly like the sleepy expressions of the insects.

Russian Around

Here's a shot of the name of one of the many bars / clubs that are dotted around the city centre. I was taken by the red neon lights and the "E" being reversed. I did not see inside, so I don't know if the Russian theme continues with the waiters dressed as cossacks!

Pencil Me In

Here's another effect of the Paint.Net software. It's turned my photo of the Nottingham Eye into a pencil drawing. This is the only way I can produce a sketch, as my drawing skills are virtually nil.

If you fancy having a go with this free software, here's a link to their website

Afterglow

The sky had a really firey orange tint to it last night. Which means a nice day today, although as I'm writing this it's foggy and about -5. So I don't know when the nice day is going to start.

Chinese Checkers

I've learning how to use a software package called Paint.Net. It has some different functions to Picasa. One of them is called Polar Inversion. This is an example of what it does. If you are wondering, this is a Chinese dragon from the new year celebrations.

You're As Cold As Ice

Foreigner provides the song title today. Last night was very cold; probably not as cold as some of the other featured DP countries, but cold enough to freeze our small garden pond. I leave the fountain on all the time & this is the result of the water freezing on contact. A very strange, but very artistic result.

China Girl

David Bowie's 1983 hit introduces this picture I took last week at the Chinese New Year entertainment in Beeston. I think she looks quite angelic with her sunshade and faraway smile.

Boop Boop Di Doop

This is the present I bought Gail yesterday. A Betty Boop handbag. Gail loves the saucy 1920's cartoon figure, and I occasionally buy her a collectable. When I saw this, I knew it would make a wonderful Valentines day gift.

If you're wondering, Gail bought me a pot VW Beetle moneybox & a CD.

What did your loved one buy you?

Love Is In The Air

Today, as everyone knows, and as fellow bloggers add their photos to the theme of love, it can only mean one thing; it's St Valentine's Day.
Here's a photo of the present I bought my Gail.
You'll have to come back tomorrow to see what it is.

To everyone who has a love in their life, long may it continue. And to those that are still looking, may it find you soon.

Neck And Neck

Whilst waiting for my dear Gail at the concert hall last Friday, I took a snap or two of these horses, made in the style of fairground rides. I'm not sure why they had been put on the wall, but they certainly made it look more colourful.

The Lion Roars Tonight

Besides the opening of the Big Wheel, Friday saw what was known as "Light Night". Where the council put on various light shows across the city, to attract more visitors. I couldn't get to them all, as we were going to see Boy George at the Concert Hall. But I did snap this illuminated lion. A lot of people were looking at him so I suppose he would be known as a roaring success!

Watch Your P's And Queues

Here is a snap of the first people to go up in the bug wheel, AKA Universe. As you can see, the queue is long with eager people waiting to see the city centre from such a high position.

This Wheels On Fire

Yesterday my fellow Nottingham blogger Zakscloset published a photo of the big wheel in the Old Market Square. Well here's my version, taken slightly later at night. I've found out that to have a go on it costs £5. I'm not sure whether I'll try it out yet.

The Chinese Way

The old Level 42 hit from the mid 1980's introduces Saturday's pictures. Yes, as a treat I am showing you two photos from the Chinese New Year celebrations, that took place in Beeston Square today. The displays attracted a lot of attention, made even better by a rare, warm and sunny day.

Spider's Wheel

Here's a shot of the shadow that the big wheel is casting over some of the surrounding buildings. I instantly compared it to a spider's web, but I'm glad that it's not one, as I'd hate to think how big the spider would be.

Water Wheel

Here's a shot of the big wheel reflected in the Square's water feature. The workmen have almost finished putting it together ready for the grand opening tomorrow.

The Big Wheel

Back to work yesterday after our trip to Dubai, and I was keen to see if anything had changed in the city centre. Imagine my surprise when I came across this fairground ride being constructed in the Old Market Square. A long time ago, the annual Goose Fair used to be staged in the square before it was moved, but I don't think they had any rides as tall as this one.

More 4 x 4s By Far

With petrol at around £1 a gallon. Yes, that's right, a quid a gallon, people can afford to run a Chelsea Tractor or two. And Dubai is full of them. It seems like every other vehicle is either a Landcruiser, Rav 4 or Patrol. Hummers seem popular as well. Here's one I took outside the Burjuman Centre that belongs to a local radio station.

More photos from Dubai on my other page.

Tower Of Song

Another song title introduces today's photo. This time by Leonard Cohen. I expect there will be much singing when the Burj Dubai is finally completed, as it will be the tallest building in the world. It is estimated to be 800 meters tall when it's opened sometime this year. As it's so tall, I had to chop a bit off the top so you could see the base, or footprint which is one of buzzwords of the moment.

Flight Of Fancy

Here's one of the many shots I took during our 30 minute flight over the city. This one shows the Burj again, standing on its own manmade island. Beside it is the Jumeriah Beach hotel, with its distinctive wave shape, and behind them both is the beginnings of the little private islands that make up the development known as 'The World'. Some are still for sale. So if you want to live next door to actors, sports stars and other people with more money than sense, offers please around the £5-18 million mark!