End Of The Year

Well it's the last day of 2010, and I think that I have managed to blog every day this year for the first time since I started Nottingham Daily Photo. I haven't managed to take any photos this week, so I've had a go at trying some indoor still life ones. Here's the first, a model car parked outside a magazine about Rock City, which is a local music venue. I'm not sure if it works too well. I might invest in a light cube, which can be bought quite cheaply off Ebay. It is a like a small fabric tent in which you can place objects. The fabric softens the light source for good photos.

Birthday Girl

Today marks a special birthday for my wonderful wife Gail. Although birthdays are always special, today is extra special as she hits the half century. Besides buying her some presents, I used an on-line printing company to create this unique card that resembles one of the many women's magazines around these days that specialise in gossip about celebrities. Gail loves it.

Up And Away

Imac's choice of the theme for this week's Headbanger challenge, and he's gone for 'Betwixt and Between'. An unusual topic; thinking of the time between Christmas and New Year. Gail and I are still struggling with our flu virus, and I haven't taken any photos for the past few days, which you may have noticed. So I've been trawling the archives again. I was going to post this Dakota flying over Wollaton Park, but Dave trumped me to the aircraft photo. So instead I've gone for another flying shot. This time it's a stunt motorcyclist.

Don't forget to visit the pages of my buddies, to see how they have interpreted the theme.

Here's to 2011, and hope you all have a great new year.

Cat People

Also on our walk we met up with one of Marmalade's playmates. There's not that many cats in our area, but this little black and white pussy is one that we often see. He or she looked happy to see us, and mewed a hello, as we walked by.

Holly

We are still bunged up with flu, and which is spoiling our Christmas somewhat. Besides the coughing, neither of us can taste our food very much. Even chocolate, which is a disaster. But the snow has gone, and it's a few degrees warmer. So we both went a small walk to get some fresh air. Here's some holly that we past on the way.

The Ghost Of Christmas Presents

Amongst the presents that Gail bought me this year is this digital photo frame. A great way to show anyone my images. You just pop in a SD card, and away you go. Thanks wifey X.

Hi Pad

Gail became a very, very happy girl this morning when she opened one of her presents. Her ex-husband and myself had clubbed together and bought her an i-pad. Gail had wanted one ever since they came out, but has resisted buying one due to the price. Even on our last trip to Dubai, they were just as dear there as they are here. So I thought the only way she would get one, other than winning the lottery, is for me to get her one. So I suggested that we buy her one as a joint gift, which also ties in with her 50th birthday next week. Here she is adding my blog page to her favourites.

Red White And Blue

We haven't had anymore snow this week, but boy is it still cold. I don't think it's nudged above freezing point during the day all week. Poor Gail, she's suffering from this flu virus that is going round just like I am now. Although her symptoms are slightly different. At least we have four days off now to recover. Christmas for us this year isn't going to be so much turkey and tinsel, as tissues and tablets. I just hope that when Santa calls tonight, he doesn't catch it, otherwise Rudolph won't be the only one with a red nose!

It just goes for me to wish my 569 followers and various visitors a merry Christmas and have a fab and enjoyable time.

Santa Pose

You would think that with tomorrow night just around the corner, Santa would be busy bossing the elves around, checking the reindeers and making sure that enough presents had been made, and not earning a bit of pocket money promoting a tattooist. I wonder if he has 'Mrs Claus' scribed onto his right arm!

Light Fever

Dave's picked this week's Headbanger theme, and he's gone and chosen 'the light'. Certainly a topic with a wide range of interpretations, as you can see if you visit the other members of the gang.

As it's rapidly heading towards Christmas, with only two days to go, I thought about trying to capture some of the many light decorations around town. But I thought it was a bit 'old hat'. Then my creative spark kicked in, and I whizzed my camera about while I took photos of some Christmas tree lights in Beeston. Some of the shots were a bit poor, but I quite like these two, free art, set free, with a free mind.

As it's the last Headbanger Challenge before the big day, I would just like to wish you a Happy Christmas, and hope everyone has a great time. I'm going to play you out with probably the best Christmas song ever written so far. Enjoy.

Sun Day Shine

I've been off work the last couple of days with a bad flu virus that is going around Nottingham, and probably the whole country at the moment. I was so bad yesterday, that I slept nearly all day long and didn't eat anything till about 7pm. which for me is odd, as I always like stuffing my face.

As my good friend Imac explained yesterday, there was a going to be a lunar eclipse this morning. The first one on the shortest day in over 400 years. As it was about -5* out, I stayed indoors and took some photos through the window. Unfortunately there was quite a lot of low lying cloud around, so it obscured the view. But at least the sun came out for a little while to make the ice encrusted streets twinkle for a short while.

You Steaming Great Puddin'

I've been struggling with a bad case of flu. Well I think it's bad and so haven't been out with my camera. So here's one from the recent archive; a couple of characters that were entertaining the children at the Christmas light switch-on in Beeston last month.

Now I'm not really a great fan of Christmas orientated food. I don't like Christmas puddings, or Christmas cake. But Yule Logs are different. As they are made of chocolate, I am quite happy to sit down and eat a whole one, in one go!

Lines

Here's the view you would get as you walked across the bridge. I like the way the shadows are cast across the bridge from the bridge's lights.

Bridging The Gap

This is the Wilford Suspension Bridge, and is next one along the Rivet Trent. It is actually owned by Severn Trent Water, rather than the council and was built in 1906.
It had been closed for nearly two years for refurbishment, as it is a listed building. This was the first time that I had actually walked across it.

Memorial

The third in this short series is of the war memorial building. It was built in 1927 to remember the lives lost in war. There are some nice gardens behind, complete with a ornamental pond and a statue of Queen Victoria.

Watching The Water Go By

The second shot in this short series is of a block of luxury riverside apartments that have been built on one side of the Trent. On the other side is a large green space where they hold festivals etc. I showed you a few photos in the summer of the annual Riverside Festival.

Bridge Over The River Trent

Here's the first of a few shots which I took tonight during the Flickr walk. We didn't go that far, but 3 hours whizzed by. But boy was it cold! There were five of us altogether. Two Nikons, two Canons and my Panasonic. we stopped every so often to see what was on offer, as everyone was looking for a slightly different angle on the same subject.

Here's my view of Trent Bridge. Probably the main bridge that is used from the east side of the county to get in and out of the city centre.

I Thought It Was Called A Crow's Nest!

I'm posting this week's submission for the Headbanger Challenge a day early, because I am planning on going out tomorrow night on a Flickr photography expedition along the River Trent. And so I might not be home till late.

Lanny has picked a very hard (well in my opinion) subject this week with 'anticipation'. I've been struggling to try and find something original to explain the emotion. Certainly many people are anticipating Christmas next week, through either being excited or depressed. Depending on their personal point of view. I suppose I could have shown you a photo of a child sitting on Santa's knee. But a bit twee. So instead, here's a shot of the definition of the word from the Concise Oxford Dictionary.

My main picture is of a seagull, resting upon a car park light. I'm surprised how much inland these birds fly in search of food, considering Nottingham is about 70 miles away from the nearest piece of coastline. I don't know how well they do in finding scraps of food scattered around, and fighting off pigeons for them.

I've Seen The Light

I attended my first Christmas lunch last week. I went with my old team to a local restaurant. Whilst we were waiting for our table to be made ready, I took this shot of one of the stainless steel light-shades near where we were sitting.

A New One Just Begun

I've had a couple of calendars made using some of my own photographs. I paid only £3 each for them instead of £14, as I purchased two vouchers from a website called Groupon, who do daily deals on all sorts of things. It's mainly hairdressing and pampering. But occasionally they do discount hotel bookings or bargain eating out.

I'm very pleased with the calendars. They are A4 size and the quality is excellent. The company that produced them is called Albelli and they were quite easy to make using their website. If you fancy creating a unique gift, then give them a whirl.

Into The Light

A very bright, and slightly warm sun helped the snow to finally disappear on Friday. It was nice to be able to carry my camera in my hand and not for it to freeze in the cold. My hand that is, and not the camera!

Not a very exciting photo I'm afraid. But at least it's something to keep you amused..

Tanks A Lot

This tank belongs to the Queen's Royal Lancers. They were parading in the city centre this morning, after returning from Afghanistan. I would have liked to have covered the parade, but it began at 11am, and as I can't go to lunch before 12, they had all dispersed to meet up with other people, and get ready for their meal in the Council House. Although I saw many of them enjoying what was on offer at the Christmas market, and I took a photo or two of some that were having a skate on the open air ice rink.

High And Dry

I've shown you Wollaton Hall several times from different angles, but I don't think you've seen one in the snow before. I think it looks like a castle on top of a hill, with the villagers living below in the surrounding hamlet.

Give Peace A Chance

To tie in with the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's murder and this weeks Headbanger theme from Tom of 'Let it snow' , here's one of the headstones from Beeston Cemetery. I love the way that the wind has blown the snow onto just one half of the gravestone, keeping the dove of peace exposed.

For my heading photo I've done another collage of different snowy scenes. I hope you like them. Don't forget to visit the pages of the four other headbangers and see what ideas they have come up with for the theme. Also enjoy John at his best.

All White Now

It was the coldest night for years last night. Temperatures dropped to about -17C in places, although I think Nottingham experienced a more balmy -10C! The compacted frozen snow is making cycling to work very difficult. So for a change, I went through Highfields today. I was quite amazed how white some of the trees were. The frost and ice made the branches look like they were sprouting blossom. Quite sunny too, which added to the illusion.

Wall Art

I don't think I've shown you the four photographs that I have on display at Hopkinson's Gallery yet. Well here they are. There are of course many other fantastic photos to look at from several local Flickr photographers.

If you would like to see all the pictures, but can't make it in person, here's a link to the Flickr pool, so you can see them in full, but sadly not in HD or 3D.

Table Decoration

Besides being an art gallery, Hopkinson's is also a cafe during the day. They do a fair line in hot drinks and snacks. I noticed that the tables where people sit have been used as makeshift sketchpads, with drawings, scribbles and words written directly onto the wood. This bear looks quite dramatic staring out to you while you eat your cheese sandwich.

Beaded Curtain

It's been a fairly non-descriptive day for the weather. The snow slowly appears to be melting and the roads are all slushy and a dirty grey colour. It rained a little bit this afternoon. So for now, there's no more white photos to show you. Instead, here's some jewellery that was for sale at Tuesday's gallery party. Quite a colourful display of necklaces, although I'm not too happy with the quality of the picture.

Ice, Ice Baby

Another freezing night last night and more snow, but Gail and I had to go shopping today for some items. Looking around the front garden, I noticed an old plant completely encased in ice. It has been caused by a constant drip from a hole in the guttering, which I really must mend one day. It somehow reminds me of the Alien films, where the victims are stuck to walls with some sort of clear paste.

Snow Leopard

Marmalade was having a bit of fun this morning. Jumping about and following my footprints in the snow while it had stopped for a few minutes. I had my camera handy and tried to capture her being playful. Many didn't come out as she moved quite quickly and were a blur, but this one looks like she is trying to make a snowball.

As you know I always try to make my blog a happy experience for everyone, but I feel that I have to share this very, very sad story from our local paper today, about this poor little kitten who died in a horrible way at the hands of someone who I don't think could be human. It really is mind-numbing how anyone could act in such a barbaric way and without conscience. I'll spare you the details, but I felt quite upset when I read it. I do hope that they catch whoever did it, as they certainly do not deserve to have a happy Christmas ever again.

Snowblind

I have chosen this week's Headbanger Challenge theme of 'Wheels'. I thought I would go for something relatively easy, after the last few brainachers!

There are quite a number of different kinds of wheels available to my blogging buddies to take pictures of. I have gone for a couple of shots of the big wheel that appears in the Old Market Square a few weeks after Christmas and stays till about Easter. It was called the Nottingham Eye for a short while until the owners of the London Eye got wind of it and told them to call it something else!

Fortunately Gail and I are off this week, so we don't have to make the daily struggle into work. So as it had been snowing all night, I went for a walk 'around the block' this morning to see what was worth taking photos of. I took quite a few of the nearby golf course. No one was playing! A poor horse that only appeared to leaves to eat and the local cemetery. This shot is of a private road next to the golf course where houses average around the million pound mark. It's quite countrified in places with plenty of trees about.

Don't forget to visit the other 'bangers' sites (links above) to see how they have interpreted the theme of wheels, and enjoy the late, great John Lennon singing about watching wheels.

Silent Night

Despite the snowy and freezing conditions, our Flickr photography launch party still went ahead. Not as many people turned up as we'd like, but those that did brave the elements hopefully had a good time with viewing our work, listening to MuHa and seeing some other artists' work that was on show.

I took this photo when we were leaving to go home. It had been snowing for a few hours and the city centre was almost deserted. Some of the buses had stopped running to some of the more hillier parts of Nottingham.

Don't Stop Believing

Besides being the name of a popular TV series, it is also the name of a new comedy club that recently opened down near the canal. The owners actually took over the building from a previous comedy club called Jongulars, who have now moved to new premises closer to the city centre. Gail and I haven't visited Glee yet. Maybe one day, as they have live bands on too.

Windpower

Another band that entertained the audience at the switch on last night were The Moonlighters. A jazz group made up of students from the nearby university. They were very good, even though I'm not a fan of jazz music. They performed a version of the Pink Panther theme, which is always good to hear, and reminds me of the old joke; Where does the Pink Panther come from? Durham, Durham, Durham!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Well we've had the first dusting of winter snow today. Gail and I woke up to a white landscape. It didn't snow anymore during the day, but blimey was it cold! Beeston's Christmas lights were also being turned on. So I went down in the afternoon and caught a couple of bands playing. Then after the ceremony, a local band called Sticky Morales entertained everyone for an hour or so. They were very good and I snapped away whilst jigging to the music. Here's some members of the band in action.

Model Shot

As I mentioned on Wednesday, I went to see a fashion show, rather than watching the Christmas lights being switched on. I'd been to these shows a couple of time before, so I knew what to expect. There were a couple of changes this time though; no chairs for people to sit on and no list of the clothes being modelled. Obviously victims of the recession. The models themselves were the same as the organisers have used before. Which was ok. But it would be nice to see some new faces.

Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation

Tonight Gail and I went for a tour of our local BBC studios. I had arranged it for my Flickr friends some time ago, but due to other commitments, only one managed to make it. So we received special treatment by Lynne the guide. We met some of the TV and radio journalists, had a good exploration of the actual studio where they present East Midlands Today, and then looked in the Gallery and Graphics Suite, where all the technical stuff goes on. It was quite fascinating, especially for Lewis, who wants to be a video journalist when he finishes his college course. Here he is getting in some early practice.

Lighting Up Time

Here is a shot of the Christmas market and lights in the Old Market Square that started tonight. I missed the actual switching on, as I went to the fashion show instead. But the lights were only switched on by two radio presenters. So I don't think I missed much. I was somewhat disappointed by the market though. I thought it was supposed to be in the Dickensian style, rather than a German one. But to be honest, I couldn't really tell the difference from the one they built last year. The workmen were still putting up some of the kiosks tonight, which I found rather poor, as I would have thought that everything should have been ready by dusk.

It wasn't snowing tonight. The 'snow' you can see was being pumped out from a machine on the balcony of the Council House. It was a nice touch, and added to the atmosphere. I'm not sure what it was made of, but it looked like soap bubbles.

It's Snow Time!

The last minute preparations are taking place for the big switch on of the Christmas lights tomorrow in the Old Market Square. This year they have done away with the German market, and having a Dickensian one instead. They will still sell the same things, just under a different name. This workman was spraying fake snow onto the roofs of the market stalls. Mind you, if the weathermen are telling the truth, we will be getting some real snow by the end of the week.

I'm also putting my Headbanger Challenge entry up early, as I might be out a fair time tomorrow. I will be going to a fashion show, which are always good fun . Imac's chosen this weeks' theme of "Collage". Lucky he typed it correctly, otherwise you will be seeing shots of my local seat of learning! I've gone for a weather theme, as I was looking through my archive and noticed that I had quite a few photos of people with umbrellas. Alas not one with Rihanna.

Love Is A Drug

Here's an unusual piece of street art I came across the other day. It was drawn on a wall. So maybe I should have called the post "Stone Me".

I think the artist had to disappear quickly, that why it looks slightly unfinished. Maybe he or she will return one day complete the little character and his love for cannabis.

Empty Chairs At Empty Tables

Here's the outside seating area at the Trip to Jerusalem. And as you can see, no one is keen to drink their pint in foggy, wet weather. They would all rather be inside, sitting by the amber glow of a log fire. Well, wouldn't you?

The title that I came up with has inspired me to hunt out a video from YouTube featuring the title song from Les Miserables. Nothing like a good bit of musical theatre to finish off your Sunday evening. Have a good week.

The Fog On The Trent

Quite dense fog descended on Nottingham again yesterday, shrouding the city in a grey blanket. So I popped over to the castle to see what it looked like. And as you can see the weather gives the photograph a certain Turneresque quality.

Rough Spice

I had a request yesterday to see if I could get a more close-up shot of the fire damaged building. Well the fire has been put out and the road reopened, so after I had been to the dentist for a check-up, I moseyed over to see what was happening. As the building is opposite the main Nottingham Trent University campus, there were quite a few students hanging around and watching the action of the workmen who were trying to make the building safe. I took some rooftop shots from the multistorey car park, which I may put on my Flickr site tomorrow.

Smoke And The Water

Some parts of the city centre were in a bit a trouble today, as police had shut some roads due to a large fire in a former nightclub. The second one this year. I wonder if there's a pattern? This one on Goldsmith Street was up for sale too. I went to the top of a multi-storey car park and managed to get a shot or two. Ideally I should have had my G1 and 45-200mm lens with me, so I could have got a bit of a closer shot. Don't think I'll ever make a photojournalist, as I always seem to have the wrong camera and lens with me.

When I Was Younger, So Much Younger Than Today

I've had great difficulty tonight trying to sort out my Headbanger Challenge photo. The technology didn't work! I couldn't get my little photoscanner to copy the pictures to an SD card. So I tried Gail's scanner, but it wasn't working properly. So I ended up using my GF1 and took their photos that way.

This week's subject has also been a difficult one. Dave chose "Childhood Antics". Difficult for me, as I have no children to photograph, and you're not allowed to take pictures of anyone else's. So I used a bit of 'out of the box' thinking, and so here is a montage of me as cute little 2 year old, up to various escapades as recorded by my older brother, who now lives in Australia.

My main photo today records some of my memories of some TV shows I used to enjoy as a child. I caught this display at the Brewhouse Museum, which is a row of houses below the castle, which have been converted into a small museum showing life down the ages, mainly from Victorian times.

Play Misty For Me

There was quite a cold and frosty fog this morning as I cycled to work. I made a slight detour and went through Highfields. I stopped off every so often and took various photos of the trees, lake etc that were bathed in this eerie white mist. I was about twenty minutes late for work, but as the organisation operates a flexitime policy, I wasn't officially late.

Castle Keep

I bet there was many a time when Robin Hood snuck into the castle under the cover of darkness, to rescue someone or to steal some riches back from the evil sheriff. But these days it's all CCTV cameras rather than bows and arrows, although sometimes the castle does open at nighttime a few times a year for special occasions.

Making A Meal Of It

Last night Gail and I went out for a bite to eat and to see a film at the local multiplex. We went to Frankie & Benny's, where I had a pizza, and Gail went for the ribbed steak. Both meals were very nice, although I do like my pizza base to be a little thicker. Of course I had my camera with me, and took a few shots of the diners and waiters. As I was using my GF1 & 20mm lens, I didn't need to switch the flash on. I just kept it on the table, and clicked away.
I like the text they use around the restaurant to highlight dishes etc. I believe it is called "Broadway" and certainly blends in well to the New York themed diner.

The film we went to see was called "You Again". A comedy about a bully from high school who is engaged to the brother of the girl she bullied 8 years ago. It was ok, but nothing special. As far as I am aware students in England don't have to endure such treatment in colleges as they do in the States for some reason. Maybe we are kinder to each other when we get to 16, as most of the bullying seems to go on in junior school.

A Fruit By Any Other Name

As you know this week's Headbanger theme was persimmons, or the colours that the fruit represents. We all struggled, except for Lanny, who had a photo of a whole lot of them.
Strangely enough I was grocery shopping yesterday, and guess what my local greengrocer had? Yes persimmons! Although they are called sharon fruits here. Also the ones I bought were more yellow in colour and came from Spain, rather than the good old USA.

Sparks Will Fly

I just had to stop and take some photos of this workman welding a bit of broken fire escape. I was a little disappointed that there weren't more sparks about, but then he was only using a small welding tool.