Getting Angry

As the battle increases in the Middle East and more lives are lost, people around the world are beginning to sit up and take notice. There was a large demonstration yesterday in a rather crampt Old Market Square. I also spotted quite a number of local photographers trying to get that good shot. Here's one of my efforts.

Standing Guard

I wasn't sure whether this guy was looking after the bike for someone, or waiting for the right time to make off with it.

This is my rather late Monochrome Maniacs entry. click on the name for more black and white photos from around the world.

Paws For Thought

I don't know if I'd be brave enough to wear a jacket like this. But then I'm a rather shy and retiring man. I'm not sure many people would be seen in such a unusual coat. You would certainly be easy to spot in a crowd.

Sharing A Joke

Looks like he's told her the joke about this red piece of road that goes into a pub and asks for a Guinness. A man at the bar beckons over the landlady and whispers in her ear, "You don't want to serve him, as he's a bit of a cyclepath"!

See And Been Seen

Two police horses on patrol near the castle. Don't know who they were on the lookout for, as I don't think Robin Hood has passed that way in about 400 years!

Oh No, Not More Turkey!

Boxing Day, and most people are looking in their fridges to see how much turkey they have yet to get through. They grown, and think another seven days' worth at least. So for a change they'll go out for something different. Here's somewhere they might think of going. I've not tried it myself, but I would think it's quite popular with the boating fraternity, as it's right by the canal. A fairly plain looking building, but I was taken by the illuminated sign reflected in the water.

Christmas Skywatch Day

Christmas Day is here and so is Skywatch Friday. I've not been outside today, so here's my sky from yesterday morning, which I took at around 8am.

For more festive skies from around the world, click on this link.

Best wishes to all and enjoy the rest of your holiday.

It's Christmas!!

So yells Noddy Holder on an almost hourly basis at the moment, as the old Slade song is played in every shop and radio station across the land.

Anyway as it's now the start of the time of overeating, drinking, watching too much telly and generally being lazy, I'd like to wish all my fellow bloggers a good holiday. I've made a card for you all that features some important events for Gail and I over the past 12 months, such as going on our first balloon ride, the death of my brother, going to Dubai and meeting Imac in person. I've also included a few pictures that received some of the most comments. Enjoy!

Light Night

I've shown you various pictures of the Playhouse, but here's one at night. I took it after the Kate Rusby concert. You can still see people milling round the CD and T shirt stand. And of course the Sky Mirror, reflecting the scene in the polished metal.

Voice Of An Angel

Last night Gail and I went to see Yorkshire folk singer Kate Rusby. She put on a very good show at the Playhouse, as she always does. It's was an acoustic set, and this time included a small brass band, which added to the Christmas themed concert, as she sang several traditional carols in a folk style.

Where Shall We Go?

Now that the festivities are almost upon us, thoughts move away from buying presents to planning next years summer holiday.
I caught these two looking in the window of my local Thomas Cook, seeing what was on offer and at what price. With the recession in full swing now; the cost of holidays will be up for discussion. Will they be cheaper as no one can afford to go away, or will they be more expensive as there will be less on offer and the exchange rate of Sterling is poor? At the moment the Pound is almost on par with the Euro, so those Spanish packages will be less attractive to the average Brit.

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

Another wet but slightly warm day today. Subject matter is still difficult to find. I was taken with the very colourful umbrella that this shopper in Beeston was using on such a grey day. The contrast was quite apparent. So I've had a fiddle with it to make it even more striking.

Sign of the Times

Woolworths in the UK is now officially dead. No one is prepared to take the company on and save it, and the thousands of jobs that go with it. The store has been in existence in the UK for 99 years but the lights will finally go out in early January. The store in the Victoria Centre, like some others across the country will be closing on December 27. A nice Christmas present for all the employees.
Here's one of the aisles in the store, which has been picked clean by bargain hunters.

Going, Going, Gone

Today's Skywatch Friday picture is a bit different, it is the back of the old Odeon cinema. It's been closed now for well over 10 years. The council yesterday voted in favour for a developer to come and knock it down and replace it with yet another office block. One that will shade the light out of the library close by. Many local groups have opposed the plans as it will spoil the area, but they've been passed anyway. It's been another grey day today. The sun showed it's face, didn't like what it saw and disappeared again

For other SWF photos from around the world, sunny, snowy, or somewhere inbetween click here.

Christmas Lights - Again

Alas my trip around town with my camera proved fruitless today, as there was nothing really worth taking. Seems to be a bit of a drought of material at the moment. So here's a good old standby; some more festive decorations and illuminations.

This area is under the council house, and has quite a few, small upmarket stores. At one time a really good quality and very well liked grocery store called Burton's stood there, but they went under in the early 1980's, much to the sadness of local shoppers.

Questions And Answers

I wonder what this girl was asking questions about, when I took this the other day? I don't think she was one of the regular clipboard ladies you see around town, that ask your opinion about soap powders, yogurts, or get you to try various brands of crisps (chips), as she's too young.
She's probably a student doing some research for her thesis, like I did many moons ago. The title of mine was "Pedestrianisation and it's effect on the retail trade".

How To Ruin A Photograph

When you've found a good spot to take a photograph. Got the light right, your model to stand in a good position and smiling nicely. What happens? An ugly great roadsweeper pushing his cart comes along and spoils your shot. Thanks heavens for digital, as it can be deleted, otherwise you've just gone and wasted some of your film.

Red Hair Day

It's good to see that the spirit of punk is still alive in these homogeneous and conventional times; even if all the original rebels are now in their late forties and have wives, children and mortgages.

This guy is sporting the all too familiar spiky cockscomb hair and studded black leather jacket of the genre. Although I was in my teens when punk was around, for some reason it completely passed me by, preferring more mainstream pop; although I did (and still do) like the Stranglers and more tuneful songs of the time.

Spooky!!

It's been that dark today, you would think it was still nighttime! And so much rain. It's not stopped. This means no new shots, so I'm having to pull one out of the archives. Not that old. It's from the funfair that accompanied the switching on of the Christmas lights a few weeks ago. As you may know, I'm not a fan of funfairs. I see them as a waste of money, but they are a good subject for photographing.

Communication Breakdown

Mobile phones; everybody seems to have them these days, not matter how young or old they are. I have one, but rarely switch it on. I don't see the need as Gail is about the only person who calls me. She's always moaning to me about it. I say there's not much point having it on at work, as she can ring me on my office number.

I wonder if the man in this photo, gets the same ear bashing from his wife?

A Suffolk Sunset

Yesterday I went to Stowmarket in deepest Suffolk. A long journey, and all I got was this photo!

But hopefully you all think it's worthy of looking at.

For more Skywatching Friday photographs from around the world, click on this link

Grey Remembered Hills

A variation on the title of a Dennis Potter play introduces today's picture. Yesterday I had to go to Shrewsbury for the day. The weather wasn't brilliant, so all I managed to get is this shot of some menacing storm clouds hanging over the hills.

Ice, Ice Baby

As the old song goes, Baby, It's Cold Outside. Well it certainly was last night. I couldn't believe Gail's car this morning. It looked like it was made of glass. I just had to take some photos of the rear window. The design is incredible. The rear window just looked like etched lead crystal. A unique pattern.

Feeling Flat

Cycling is something I enjoy doing, which is just as well, as I cycle to work most days. It's also good for taking photos, because you can stop almost immediately, and can get to places that are unreachable by car. The only drawback is the dreaded puncture. I've had loads down the years, caused by thorns, stones, nails and bits of broken glass. This guy has one too, and seems to be taking up almost all of the pavement to fix it.

Keeping Guard

Spaniel looking after the delivery of local Breeze magazines, whilst his master pops them in the letter boxes of shops along the High Road.

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe

I feel sorry for the little person that has had to walk home barefooted, as they have parted company with their left shoe. I bet the child's mother isn't too happy either, as it looks quite an expensive bootee.

Skating In The Light

Here's another shot of the Christmas lights in the square, together with the open air skating rink. Only because I've got nothing better to put on!

Hangin Around

Cuddly toys waiting to be won at the local Christmas fair on Saturday.

Gok And Roll

For my visitors that don't know, this is Gok Wan, TV presenter and fashion expert. He was in Nottingham yesterday to do a book signing of his latest volume about how women should dress, so they look their best. Hundreds of people had been queuing up for several hours to buy his book and get it signed by the man himself. All the ladies were fawning over him and kissing him. As it was so busy, I found it quite difficult to get a good photo, but I managed to grab this pose.

Snow Joke!

What a surprise. Waking up this morning I found that it was snowing. Not heavy, but completely unexpected. So after getting dressed, I took my camera outside & snapped a couple of shots. Here's my street at 8am.

Balls!

Some decorated mini footballs that can be won if you're lucky enough and have a steady hand, as they are prizes in one of those grab games you see in sideshows at fairs and events.