Old Rockers Never Die

I think Jethro Tull were wrong to say that "You're too old to rock n roll", going on the performances this afternoon of these well known singers from the 1960s; Cliff Bennett, Steve Ellis, Chip Hawkes and Chris Farlowe. All were very well known 45 years ago, and its good to see that they can still belt it out at an average age of 63.
Although my cold (I'm too modest to call it man flu) is getting slightly worse, I decided to make the effort and go and see something of the City Pulse festival. I'm glad I did, as both groups 'The New Amen Corner' and 'Animals and Friends' were very good and kept the audience singing and dancing to lots of great songs from a bygone age when things were much better and people were a lot happier.

Don't Fence Me In

I was planning to visit the City Pulse music festival today, which is happening in the Old Market Square. But I have caught Gail's cough and cold, so didn't really fancy venturing out very far today, even though it has been warm and sunny. Unlike yesterday, when it rained all day long. I fancied going today, as Imelda May was playing, and she is meant to be very good. So it would have been great to see her live. If I'm feeling a bit better tomorrow and the weather holds up. Although it never does on bank holidays, I might have a go, as there are some good bands on, including a facsimile Beatles band, the Amen Corner and the latest version of the Animals.
Here's one of the workmen putting up the fencing to keep the audience in order.

Watching the Watcher

As it was sunny yesterday evening, I thought I would spend a bit of time in the Old Market Square after work, and see if I might come across any interesting characters. Quite a few people noticed this rather leggy lady walking through; especially one of the guys who was helping to put up the stage for this weekend's music festival.

Worzel Gummidge Never Dressed Like This

Nottingham Castle isn't renowned for having that many crows in its grounds. Quite a few pigeons, but not crows. So I was quite surprised to see this rather psychedelic scarecrow the other day. It would certainly be a brave man to wear that tie, let alone the shirt. No wonder the crows have stayed away!

The Further They Are, The Longer The Lens

A parcel was delivered to me at work yesterday. And boy was I excited. It was a new lens that I had won off Ebay. It is a Tamron 400mm and has it's own hard leather case. It looks absolutely mad on my camera, as its 12 inches long, and comes with a tripod attachment. I took it for a trip to the castle for a test. You get a good view of the surrounding area from there. This block of flats is about four miles away in Clifton. But through the lens it looks like it is next door. I'm quite pleased with it, although the photos look quite soft. I wanted to take a photo of the Moon last night, but it was raining.

Treemendous

This week's Headbanger Challenge topic is trees. My submission is of the gateway to Southwell Minster. Saturday was a lovely sunny day and so the sunshine had bought out all the different colours of the stone archway and the flowers on the tree.

Today's posting is of a similar theme, as you're seeing some trees through the remains of a window frame at Beauvale Priory. Taken late in the evening, as the sun was fading.

Now That's What You Call A Feather Duster!

Besides photography, one of my other interests is amateur dramatics. At the moment I am involved in an open air production that will take place in the summer at the ruined Beauvale Priory in Eastwood. It's based around some true events that took place when Henry the Eighth was king, and I'm playing one of the monks involved. The priory is in the grounds of a working farm. We all went to have a look at it late last week. There's obviously not much left, but it has been the subject of a recent restoration programme. One of the residents of the farm came out to see us.

Hidden Treasures

A new shop has opened up near the railway station. Only this one is a bit special. Everything on display is free. Yes, a shop where you don't have to put your hand in your pocket or purse. Which these days can't be bad. Nothing is new by the way, just stuff people do not want anymore. It's what recycling is all about. They like it if when you pick something, you give a donation. If only to help with the running costs.

Midnight Train To Nottingham

We went to the Attenborough Nature Reserve last night to try and catch the sunset. Unfortunately we missed it by a smidgin, but we took some photos anyway. The main Nottingham to London railway line runs past the reserve. Fortunately I was in the right place at the right time and managed to get this reflective shot of a train returning from somewhere.

Dreaming Spires

As it was so sunny and warm today, Gail and I took a ride out to Southwell. It's a small market town that's famous for its minster. Here's a shot of the twin towers that it has, together with an appearance from the Moon.

Who's Looking At Who?

Spotted this car mascot whilst coming back from the Attenborough Nature Reserve last Sunday. It's a strange looking creature. His name is Red and that he and his four equally odd looking puppets advertise Vauxhall cars, with the slogan 'C'Mon'.

Feeling Tyred

This is Danni, the other model we were photographing on Tuesday night. One of the gang was trying to take her from the front with a flash, but I snuck in from the side with my trusty G1 and no additional light.

Light And Dark

This weeks Headbanger Challenge theme is silhouettes. My example shows how you can make something out of a poor photograph. The shot was taken in the castle grounds, after I had visited the beer festival, that is now held there. And no, I had not been drinking, as I was on my lunch.
Anyway, with a bit of cropping, cranking up the contrast and darkening odd white spots, I've now got a perfect example, and one that looks like it was cut out of paper.

I was in two minds on which photo to put on, as I rather like this one of a photographer shooting some of the wildlife at Attenborough Nature Reserve. With pixels, rather than bullets I hasten to add.

Please visit my headbanging friends, for their take on the theme. Links under my shield.

Emily

Tonight I went to the camera club that's started up through Flickr. Gail went with me this time. Just to make sure that I didn't get into any trouble! Although she had an enjoyable time too, taking lots of photos for her new blog.
As it was a sunny evening, we all went to a school opposite and took photos in the grounds, with professional flash lights and brollys. Two different models appeared tonight. This is Emily, sitting atop some of the children's play equipment.

Where Peaceful Waters Flow

The water itself may have been peaceful, but the birds at the Attenborough Nature Reserve on and in the water certainly wasn't. It was good though to hear the geese, swans and ducks talking away. Alas you can't see any, as they were all on the other side, being fed by the visitors.
Another photo taken with my legacy lens. I think it is turning out to be quite a useful little lens.

Gnome Story

Gail has got so fed up with me blogging every night, that she's decided to start one of her own! She's called it Boopsters View. Gail started it yesterday, so there's one entry. So please pop over and say hello.
So to find subjects to blog about, we went to a local garden centre and the Attenborough Nature Reserve. We both took lots of photos. I tried out my new lens again. Here's a rather cute little gnome waiting for a garden to sit in and read his book. For some reason he reminds me of my good friend Imac!

Snapping Away

Today, I bought a legacy lens from a charity shop for the bargain price of £7. It is a Kiron 28mm-70mm. Some time ago I purchased an adapter from Ebay and so I can use any lens on my G1 that have the Pentax PK fitting.
Here's one of the first photos taken with the new (old) lens. I don't think it's come out too bad. The lens does need a bit of a clean, but the colours are fine.

The Very Merry Men (And Woman) Of Sherwood

One final photo from the premiere on Wednesday brings us some character players from Sherwood Forest. They were posing for the local newspaper outside the Cornerhouse, where the screening took place. The photographer got them to stand in various places along the road. He even got them to walk across the zebra crossing, Beatles style.

In Sound Only

Despite not seeing any 'A' listers yesterday, I did see a local radio celebrity who goes by the name of Andy Whitaker. He works for BBC Radio Nottingham. I usually wake up with him beside me, as he presents the early morning show during the week.
Last night he was opening the Robin Hood Big Night Out. Where people could enjoy shows, restaurants and events at discounted prices. Here he is with Robin Hood, Maid Marian & Little John getting the crowd ready for the countdown.

Blink And They Are Gone

Alas my planned star spotting at the Robin Hood movie ended dismally. I didn't see one. There was a special area for the VIPs, but I wasn't allowed in. Even a Flickr friend of mine had trouble getting some shots, and she's a friend of the guy that dresses like Robin Hood at the castle.
I didn't come away entirely empty handed, as I managed to get one of the official goodie bags from the organisers.

Don't forget that today is Headbanger Wednesday. I chose this week's theme of 'car mascots'. Enjoy.

Watch Out For The Arrows

Tomorrow night Nottingham becomes Tinsel Town, as the premiere of the new Ridley Scott version of Robin Hood is shown at the Cornerhouse cinema. Although Russell Crowe won't be coming, it is rumored that some celebrities of one kind or another will be making an appearance. I intend going to get some practice in as a paparazzi. You never know who I might get to snap, if I can get past the pros with their long lensed Canons.

The Tower Of Song

You would think from the shape, colour and style of this house, that it should be on the coast somewhere, so people could stand at the windows and look out to sea. Unfortunately it isn't. It's actually in the centre of Nottingham, albeit in the nice part called the Park. You do get to see the roofs of houses below though.

Pull The Udder One

Here's a sight you don't see everyday. A Nissan Micra disguised as a cow. Friesian I think from the markings. Maybe it's the start of a new trend in paintwork. Can you imagine the scene on the road, cows mixing with tigers, leopards and giraffes. Don't know what they would think of a zebra crossing though!

Never Forgotten

Here's a shot of the memorial that they unveiled yesterday at the castle. Although they have all earned their place in military history, it is perhaps Albert Ball that is the most well known. In fact there is a statue of him in the castle grounds, which I showed you all on 20 December 2006.

You Can't Pull The Wool Over Their Eyes

I was at a bit of a loss at lunchtime, trying to find something worth taking a photo of. There just didn't seem anything or anyone about. Walking back to the office, I saw two policemen standing near the castle. Curious I thought, what's going on there I wonder? So I took a walk up, and I was amazed to see quite a lot of military personnel standing by the statue of Robin Hood. I asked this lady who was carrying this very expensive Hasselblad what was going on. She explained that they were going to unveil a memorial in the castle grounds to locally born winners of the VC. So I 'gatecrashed' the ceremony and took many photos.
Here is 'Private Derby', the mascot of the Mercian Regiment.

Something Fruity This Way Comes

I was going to put a photo on of the polling station where I voted this morning. But thought better of it, as it is a bit of a corny idea.
But this is one is better, and a bit more amusing.
Cycling through Beeston Square, I was greeted by this man dressed like a mango. He was helping to publicise a local bus company's fare saving travel card; called of course a Mango.

Wet 'n' Dry

The Headbanger Challenge this week is umbrellas. This is quite an apt theme, as the weather in Nottingham is very changeable at the moment. Bank holiday Monday was very strange. One minute hot and sunny, the next hailstones. I managed to do a bit of gardening, but in the afternoon I settled down and watched an episode of Poirot for two hours.

These two are taking no chances. One minute a parasol, the other an umbrella..ella..ella.
Sorry. couldn't resist it!

Hello Again Or Goodbye?

I've not really spoken much about the election on here, even though Broxtowe is meant to be one of the key marginal seats in the country. Not sure why, as there isn't that much to boast about. We have Boots, some nice parks, D.H Lawrence. But it's hardly Milton Keynes.
Anyway here's our incumbent MP Nick Palmer on one of his final hustings in Beeston. I'm not sure whether he will still be our MP come Friday morning. But he is very popular with residents, and I have seen quite a few banners in windows and in gardens. Many more than the other parties.

If Only..

This fashion student was having her photo taken on the red carpet last week at the fashion show I went to. I'm sure she enjoyed the show, and gave her ideas for some future designs of her own.

Just Buzzin

Spotted this bee stuck on the end of a car aerial the other day. Fortunately it was parked beside a red van, so it looked like it was inside a giant flower.
Sometimes the simplest things amuse..

Art For Arts Sake

A case of serendipity today, as I decided to pop into my local library. I found my next door neighbour there. He had just hung quite a few of his pastel paintings up, as he is having an exhibition there this month. I took some photos of him with his pictures, and have sent some of them off to a local freesheet, which I hope they'll put in next week to give him some well deserved publicity, as his drawings are very good. Strangely enough, I'm putting on an exhibition there next month of some of my photographs.