Sugar And Speed

So which sugar lump do you think is winning in this race? Well none really as it's some wrapped up bales of straw waiting to be opened & fed to some cattle. But from the air they look like round lumps of sugar on a racetrack.

Sky Watch Friday

Well actually Sky Watch Monday, as this was taken during our flight. As it was an evening flight, the light was fading by the time we'd finished. The storm clouds were gathering too. I like the shafts of sunlight streaming through the dark clouds.

How Green Can You Go

Back to our balloon flight today & here's an interesting picture. A field with a little wood in it. Seems rather odd, but I like the way the farmer has driven round it in his tractor.

Newsflash

I'm interrupting our balloon flight over Nottingham with a news story. For the last few days, the Dalai Lama has been in the city giving a series of talks at the Ice Arena. Yesterday, there was a big demonstration in the Market Square, requesting him to stop lying about something aspect of Buddhism. I'm not sure what it is, but many people were there & it made the national news.

This Town Is Big Enough For The Both Of Us

The layout of our towns and cities always intrigues me, as to why they are the shape they are. Sometimes it's rivers, hills or some other natural feature that stop houses or roads from stretching any further.

Here's the town of Southwell with an interesting layout of roads and houses. Some in a straight line, some at angles, and with a good smattering of trees in between.

Heaven's Above

This is Southwell Minster. Which apparently some say is one of the best cathedrals in England, and full of architectural gems. It's been featured on television many times, and an edition of the Antiques Roadshow was filmed there just last week. The episode should be screened sometime in the autumn, on BBC1

Blue Is The Colour..

..and trucking is our game. A variation of the old football song introduces one of the regions' local haulage companies. Not a very famous name, I think that belongs to Eddie Stobart. But I do like their golden eagle logo.

This is Your Captain Speaking

Here is Dave Ling our pilot with his hand on the gas. He was a good pilot & pointed out landmarks to as all as we drifted by. He was also in frequent contact with the ground crew, who were following us in 2 mini buses, as he had no idea as to where we would be landing.

Horses For Courses

I don't know if any of these horses are aiming to race at Southwell, or just enjoying running around their field. They didn't get that scared as we flew overhead, as they just stood there chewing the cud.

A Day At The Races

Southwell is quite well known in racing circles for its racecourse. You'll always see it mentioned on the back pages of newspapers; together with the likes of Kempton Park, Newmarket and Market Rasen.

I've never understood the numbers involved in backing horses & so have never been into a 'bookies' to place a bet. Studying 'form' is also a mystery to me.

Keep On Truckin

Flying at about 600 feet, the world laid out before us. What to photograph? Well anything & everything. At least with digital, if it is no good, then delete. So I snapped and snapped away. Here's one of the results.

Who Lives In A House Like This?

Lloyd Grossman's well remembered phrase introduces today's photo. Kelham Hall, just outside Newark. A good solid stately home I think you'd agree, and looks even better from the air.

So who is the lord of the manor then? Well it's not Sir so and so. It's actually Newark & Sherwood District Council. Yes that's right, the local council. It must be the poshest town hall going!

Up, Up And Away

This evening Gail & I went for a balloon ride over Newark & the surrounding area. It was a great experience, and we travelled for about 19 miles. We flew from Kelham Hall & ended up at Annesley Hall; an empty property and whose owner wasn't that pleased to see us land in his field.

We booked it through Virgin & over the next few days I'll show you some of the sights of our mystery tour.

Watching The Detectives

Not a policemen, but a treasure hunter. It's something I've never tried. I'd probably just end up unearthing bottle tops, ring pulls and the odd coin! I wonder if he had any more luck?

Life Passing You By

Whilst taking some photos from a hotel bedroom window recently, I spotted this group passing by below. Not one to miss a photo opportunity, I took a few snaps. The hat that the girl in the middle is wearing amuses me. It looks like she's escaped from Cats!

I Thought You Only Saw Pink Elephants When Drunk

Where does the Pink Panther go when he's finished work for the day? Why down the pub like everyone else of course!

"I Hope I Don't Have To Stand Here All Day"

Back to the dirty streets of Nottingham today, and this workman guarding his theodolite. There always seems to be men in yellow jackets walking around the city centre measuring things. This will probably mean more holes being dug or something being knocked down.

Mellow Yellow

Rapeseed is a relatively new crop growing on British farms. A member of the mustard family. It produces oil which is used in food production and also in bio fuels. The UK is in 6th position as a world grower. Although it makes the fields look pretty in the spring, some say that it is a major cause of asthma in people living in the country.

Patchwork Colours

I took this shot from some castle ruins. I like the jagged edging of the frame, which shows the different colours of the fields beyond.

Ok, Which Way Should We Go?

I was in Norfolk again today. This time in Fakenham. Not bad for a man with a deskbound job!

Anyway whilst I was having an evening stroll around the village; working off my 3 course dinner, I came across this old signpost, showing the distances to different places in the area. Another relic of a bygone age.

I Want To Be Alone

In the late afternoon, most seaside towns quieten down, as the holidaymakers either go back home, or return to their hotels for dinner. It was about 6pm when I went for a stroll along the promenade. Looking around, I spotted this young guy sitting all alone & staring out to sea. I wasn't sure why he was there, but thought he'd make for a good study in loneliness.

Just then, his friend appeared carrying some fish and chips. Obviously they'd had some sort of row & he'd gone off to sulk. And as women tend to do, she returned to make peace with him.

Wish You Were Here

There are three things I like best about visiting the seaside. The sound of seagulls in the morning. Sticks of rock. Bad for one's teeth I know and as today's photo demonstrates; fish and chips*. I love fish and chips anyway, but for some reason they taste even better on the coast. I don't know if it's something to do with the sea air, or the fact that the fish is fresher. Just pass me the salt & vinegar.

* Fries for my American readers

Farming Wind

There are quite a number windmills remaining in Norfolk. Remembrances of a bygone age. But there are many 21st century versions dotted in the landscape. It doesn't make flour, but electricity. I drove past a few on the way to the seaside, and was amazed to see a whole row of them out in the sea.

What would Windy Miller think?

Something To Look Forward To

I've just spent the last couple of days In Great Yarmouth. A typical Victorian seaside town in Norfolk. One that has seen better days, but some new investment is appearing. Naturally I took loads of photos. The first one promotes their forthcoming festival in September.

You may be wondering what the figure of half lion, half fish is. Well it represents the emblem of the town. The fish is because they used to have a strong fishing industry & the lion relates to the time when the town made most of the ships for the Royal Navy that sailed against the Spanish & so the King at the time allowed the town to use part of his crest for theirs.

Squeeze Me

If you ever get trapped inside a matchbox or are stuck inside a kitchen cupboard, then these are the guys you should ring. They'll rush to your aid and have you out in seconds. I don't know what they use. Butter perhaps, or a tyre leaver. Maybe they even freeze you, so your body contracts and they can pull you out that way!

A Walk On The Not So Wildside

People doing everyday things walking, reading, applying make-up. Being in the sunny open air. Doing is living.

Bank Holiday Fun

Today is one of the very few public holidays that England gets. I believe that we get the least in the whole of Europe. Why??

Therefore everyone has to make the most of it. DIY superstores, garden centres etc do a roaring trade. Car boots are in full swing. Barbecues are dragged out of the garage and dusted down. For those that don't like queuing up and prefer a more leisurely day, what could be better than chugging up and down a river at 4mph, drinking tea and watching the world go by.

Lines Of Life

Bridges have always been an important part of life. Being able to cross from one side of the river to the other. Once they were just made from a simple tree trunk. Nowadays they are massive concrete structures, that can go on for miles. The most famous bridge in the world is probably the one that spans Sydney Harbour. I like the criss cross of cables here. It reminds me of a complicated Cats Cradle.

Red On The Road

I mentioned a Daimler Dart yesterday in my post. So for those that were wondering what one looked like, well here's 3 red ones all in a row at Eltham's crematorium. They are a lovely car & only 1200 were made. Quite a lot still survive, as the body is made from fibre glass, rather then metal. Gail & I would love to own one, but they are very expensive to buy. That's if you can find one for sale.

In Loving Memory

I'd like to dedicate today's theme of numbers to my recently deceased brother Graham. The SP 250 refers to the model number of the Daimler Dart, a delightful sports car of the 1950's. He ran the owners club and was quite an expert on the vehicle. He used to organise driving trips abroad and went to many European countries. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.

A number of sites around the world are showing their interpretation of the theme. For some technical reason, I am not able to sign in properly, so I don't have a list of participants. Hopefully the wonderful Eric will rectify this very soon.