And So It's Goodnight From Me

Please be seated, as this is my final post from Nottingham Daily Photo.

After nearly 11 years and over 3500 entries, I have decided to stop posting. It has been a tough decision; being part of my life for so long, but there doesn't seem to be as much interest in photoblogs these days, and I have seen a visible drop in visitors and comments over the last year or so I know that isn't the main reason for doing a blog, but it is good to get feedback and to know what you're doing is worthwhile, rather than something to do to pass the time.

But I've not really been getting that recently, and my enthusiasm for posting everyday has wained too. I could take a sabbatical from it like I have done before. But I don't think the situation would improve after the break. So I have made the decision of not doing it anymore.

I will of course still be taking photos every day, as photography is my passion. And so will probably just post daily on Facebook and Twitter, as I get more interaction there. I may even give Instagram a go.

Also the Blogger platform has changed over time, and I don't find it as easy to use anymore, as they keep tweaking with it, and it seems to take ages for it to perform tasks. It might be down to having so many photos on here now.

So my final photo from Nottingham shows the Pitcher and Piano bar, a converted church in the Lace Market. I was there to take some photos and videos of my friends band The Disco Prophets, who performed there and saw in 2017 with some great covers of disco classics.

Finally I would like to thank all the visitors down the years. All 545,000 of them, and especially those that have left comments. William Kendall and Stefan Jansson who are regular visitors and to my long suffering wife Gail. The ultimate photography widow.

So it just leaves me to wish you all a great 2017. Which after 2016, should be an improvement.

Post Christmas Thoughts

Well it's late Christmas Day, and I eaten a big dinner, and polished off a few chocolates, and my thoughts are turning to 2017, and what may happen.

2016, has on the whole been a very disappointing one; especially with all the famous people that have died this year. Only yesterday Rick Parfitt from Status Quo has passed on. And I'm not sure how Carrie Fisher is doing.

I'll keep clear of politics, both here and across the world. But the signs haven't been good.

So what about next year? Looking through my photographic archive of what to put on, I thought about holidays. We did have a very good one this year, when we went on a little road trip around Cornwall. But I cam across the photos I took in Florence, when we went on a tour of Tuscany during the autumn of 2015.

Now that was exciting.

So here's a bit of a still life that I took at one of the many tourist shops, of two things you see a lot there, statues from Roman history and Vespa scooters.

I have no idea as to where we will be going for a holiday during 2017. It will be great to see some more of both Italy and Cornwall. But then there's so many other places that we haven't seen yet; both here and abroad. Time to get some brochures and get booking.

Remembering

For some, Christmas is a time of sadness. It's not all parties, crackers and tinsel if you're feeling, lonely, sad or generally down. People are also grieving for loved ones that they have lost recently.

One such, is the person that taped this bunch of flowers to the railings along the canal, as last week, the police sadly fished someone out of the water, who had gone missing.

A upsetting thing for both the police, and for the family of the man they retrieved.

I hope the person that did this, has taken some comfort from marking the area where it happened.

I pass this way to and from work, and it's not nice to know that someone decided that this was going to be the place where they wanted to end it all. Fortunately there are a number of voluntary organisations that are there to help people that are feeling the same way. I just hope that they decide to call them first.

Prancer Posing

I read on social media last week that there would be the opportunity of meeting some real reindeer this week at the Ice Arena.

So I popped down in my lunch hour to take a look and to take some photos.

There were three in total, but sadly they didn't come from Lapland, but Peterborough. The Woodbine Rare Breeds Farm actually, and were being looked after by a non-elfish elf.

They seemed quite happy to walk around the penned area in Bolero Square, eating, or scratching at the straw. One had even fallen asleep.

There was an entrance fee of a small donation to raise money for a local charity called Framework that looks after the homeless. So it was all in a good cause.

Countdown To Christmas

I always know when Christmas is meant to start, And that's when folk singer Kate Rusby rolls into town with her festive concert, complete with a reindeer and a small brass band.

I must have seen Kate and her band a dozen or so times now, and never tire of her tunes, stories and humour.

She comes from Barnsley, in South Yorkshire, and is really down to earth. I don't think she could be a diva if she tried. No peeled grapes, or champaign for her. She's happy with a mug of Yorkshire tea and some biscuits.  For example, she said that she was cold on stage, so she came back on wearing a woolly fleece.

The packed Royal Centre audience enjoyed about two hours of music, including three versions of the carol "While Shepherds Watched", but all with different tunes. Apparently there are thirty, and Kate wondered whether the audience would be interested in listening to them all!

I had booked late, so all the really good seats had gone, as she is really popular. So mine was up in the 'gods'. So I took along my telecom lens, to see if I could capture a few moments. I managed to take a few shots, before the inevitable tap on the shoulder and the usual phrase "Sorry, no photography".

It was the last night of the tour, so she will be driving back to Barnsley to spend the festivities with her partner Damian O'Kane, who also plays in the band, her two daughters, and her eleven year old dog Daisy.

Next year marks her 25th year as a performer. So no doubt Ms Rusby will be back in Nottingham before long, and hopefully I will get a better seat next time.

Canalside Charm

Like most people, I'm always in a rush to get away from the office and get myself home. But tonight I thought I would stop and see if I could take a long exposure photo, of the lights along the canal.

Some parts of it are brighter than others, with the luxury flats reflected off the very still water.

Fortunately where I stopped was a big wooden post, so I could prop my camera on it, as I didn't have a tripod with me, and would be using a slow shutter speed. Well who carries a tripod with them to work!

The floating white light trail along the path, is actually a cycle light caught in the one minute exposure.

Feeling Sheepish

With not feeling at all Christmassy this year, I wonder if I should get this T shirt, as it converts how I am feeling with an added sense of humour.

It, and many others are for sale on a stall in the Old Market Square's Winter Wonderland.

Brassed Off

Well it's only a week before the festive season, and I am completely lacking in Christmas spirit this year for some reason. So much so, that looking in a diary, I didn't even realise that we will be getting the 27th off as a bank holiday.

I've been on a Christmas lunch with my colleagues at work, which despite being very tasty, didn't help me look forward to late December.

Being the last Saturday before the 'big day' Beeston was heaving with shoppers and present hunters. The monthly 'farmer's market's being held in the Square. I bought some brownies from the Beeston based Brownie Company and some vegetarian pies from another local company, that I'll cook for tomorrow's dinner.

Along the High Road I heard the sound of a brass band, which kept being drowned out by the sound emitting from a small fair that was close by. I think they must have been music students from the university, doing a bit of busking and getting people into the mood for Christmas. Sadly it didn't work on me.

Face Off

I decided to go with a manual lens today, and so chose my Nikon 50mm f1.4 to use, from a wide range that I have.

Slightly better weather, so took a walk to the Old Market Square to see if the ice ring was being used.

To my surprise I saw high wire fencing around it, so wondered if something had happened, and it had been cordoned off. But no, things were ok, as I saw that an ice hockey was just about to take place. Only five a side, as the rink isn't that big.

I don't know who the teams were. Presumably some of them were from the local Panthers team. The wire fencing made taking photos difficult, but there were a couple of gaps here and there, so I managed to get a few shots that weren't ruined by black lines over the pictures.

Gangster Times

Here's another tabletop figurine that I came across yesterday whilst out shopping.

A strange hybrid of a labrador's head on a man's body. It's entitled 'Gangster'. Maybe the sculptor has seen too many science fiction or horror movies.

Not something that I'd like on display in our home. I don't think it would look any better if it was of a man's head on a dog's body either.

And yes, I have used the price tag to hide his modesty. If you were wondering about the cost. It's £59.

The Funky Gibbon

Some of you may be old enough to remember an amusing song by The Goodies, called 'Do, Do, Do the Funky Gibbon'. It made the pop charts in the mid 1970s.

Well Gail & I were in a furniture shop this afternoon, when I spotted this rather large gold ape statue sitting on a table and staring at me.

Of course I had my camera with me. If you're into photography, you always do. Just in case you come across something unusual or newsworthy. So I took a photo or two. I wondered if an assistant would tell me off, as the store wasn't particularly busy. But no, I was left alone to snap away.

On Patrol

The Captain wasn't quite sure what was happening. He had heard stories from his men, that there was some strange purple coloured plant that was trying to take over the ground in his area of command.

He hadn't seen any. But hadn't dismissed it, as he trusted his fellow meerkats and the fact that they always told the truth.

So he decided to have a look himself. He got up and had a look around. Yes, it was true, the purple weed had surrounded him. There was no escape.

 Fortunately the assistant at my local B&Q store, picked him up and put hime back on the shelf with his mates.

One Happy Snowman

Today, I decided to take the 7-14mm wide-angle lens out for an airing.

It's not a lens that I use very much, as it can distort the view a little bit, if you're a little bit too close to your subject. But it is useful in the right place.

So here's a scene from the Winter Wonderland, with everyone being welcomed by this big smiling snowman.

I haven't tried a snowcake yet. But I bet they are just like snowballs, being marshmallow and covered in flakes of coconut. The ones covered in chocolate are the best.

Skateaway - 2

Here's another shot from our walk yesterday around the Winter Wonderland in the Old Market Square.

There still weren't that many skaters on the rink. With the big smile on her face, this girl was certainly having a great time, especially as she just about had it all to herself.

She was whizzing around with her blonde hair flowing and her Christmas cardie flapping in the breeze. I've seen lots of Christmas jumpers, but never a cardigan. Maybe she's a trendsetter.

Kissing With Confidence

Much, much better weather today. The sun was out and it was a lot warmer. So my workmate and I had another wander to the Winter Wonderland in the Old Market Square, to see if there were more people about, and some skating on the rink, so he could have another go with my big lens.

When he gave it me back, I just had to take a shot of these two having a romantic kiss by the skating rink. Sadly there was no mistletoe around. So they had to make do with their pints of beer.

Misty Moments

The fog which we experienced yesterday evening was still in evidence today, even in the Old Market Square at lunchtime.

I met up with my workmate who is a photographer too, as he wanted to have a go with my 40-150mm, f2.8 lens. He has just converted to Olympus from Fuji, and wanted to try my lenses out, to see if they would suit his style of photography.

So while he was having a go with that, I was using another lens. So decided to take a photo of the Council House, which was bathed in grey.

Apparently tomorrow's weather should be a lot better, so we'll see what what is on offer for our cameras.

Goodbye

We received some sad news early this morning. Gail's mum Eileen had died in the nursing home that she had been in for the past few years.

She was only in her seventies, but had been diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimers disease some years ago. In fact, remembering back, it wasn't long after Gail & I got together that, the early signs were developing. Forgetting things, or repeating what she had said.

So alas I didn't really have the opportunity of getting to know her as my mother in law. Which is sad in itself, as I have never had one before and wondered whether the stories about them were true or not.

Besides Gail, she had another seven daughters and three sons. A whole football team of offspring in fact. Sadly for them, their father died in the late 1960s, so some of them, including Gail never grew up with a father. So their mum did a wonderful job of bringing them up alone and probably with very little money.

Fortunately love struck again some years later, when Eileen met her second husband. And were together a number of years, until he too passed away.

I didn't see my new mum in law that often, as we lived in a different part of the county. But when we did meet up, you could tell that she wasn't very well. Then one day she just had to go in a nursing home, and then her quality of life deteriorated over time. Not through lack of care, as it was a lovely home with caring staff, but through the illness getting worse and worse, until she ended up bedridden and unable to do anything. Just lying there, her spirit trapped inside a dying body.

So the news came through in the early hours that she had passed away. I'm not a religious person in any way, but if there is such a thing as 'heaven' in whatever form it takes, then hopefully she is reunited with her two husbands, her brother who died in an accident and all her friends that had gone before her. And that they are all having a great time, happy and illness free.

So I would just like to thank Eileen for creating my darling Gail, who I love so much, and sorry that I didn't get to know you as much as I would have liked. Rest in peace Eileen.

Model Love

Well all of the shops now have just about done all their Christmas windows.

Marks and Spencer's have done a great job with one of their window displays. It features a table groaning under the weight of food. Something that M&S is famous for.

But I was more interested in the two mannikins that have been posed in a romantic clinch, complete with mistletoe. Their blank faces make them look like robots. Maybe the window designer had been listening to Kraftwerk's Computer Love.

Life Is Full Of Ups And Downs

Here's a shot of the helter skelter that is part of the Winter Wonderland in the Old Market Square.

The interesting thing is that it appeared in the summer too, when it was part of the Rivera and beach event, and situated more or less in the same place.

In fact I think most of the stalls and rides are making another appearance. It's amazing what a few different coloured lights and some fake snow can do to change their appearance.

Skateaway

Now the the 'Winter Wonderland' was officially opened last night, I and my photography pal from work went down to see if there was anything worth taking a photo of, besides the usual fake snow and Christmas trees.

The ice rink has returned and slightly bigger than last year.  There were quite a few people going round and round. Some were pretty good, while some kept falling over. It's not something that I've ever had a go at. Nor rollerskating, or riding a skateboard, as I have a fairly poor sense of balance. I even have to hold onto something if I stand on one leg.

I noticed this woman in a dayglo red jumper, and thought she would make for a good subject, as it would stand out from the white of the ice. It took me several goes to take a decent photo of her, as sometimes other skaters got in front of her, or she was moving too quickly to focus properly.

I'm quite happy with the composition, but its just a shame that she's not in a more dynamic pose.

Night Lights

Don't worry, Nottingham's Council House hasn't been taken over by witches or aliens, it's a shot from the fireworks tonight, as the Christmas lights were switched on, and the festive season has officially begun in the city.

Paralympic swimmers Charlotte Henshaw and Ollie Hynd who won medals in Rio pressed the red button, overseen of course by Robin Hood, Santa Claus and the Lord Mayor. Then a five minute firework display began, which was enjoyed by the thousands who had packed into the Old Market Square for the event.

The city council has purchased a lot of new decorations, which is great, as the previous ones had been on show for at least three years running.

I shall have a look at them another night when there isn't so many people about.

Castle Keep

There was some good news in Nottingham today, as it was announced that the castle had won a £13.9m award from the Heritage Lottery to help with the proposed five year restoration project.

The whole scheme is going to cost nearly £30m and would include a new visitors centre, the opening up of some more caves and the installation of a glass lift, which will take you down from the castle to the Brewhouse Yard area and the museum there. Very Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Naturally Robin Hood, aka Tim made the announcement in the grounds at a big press and media gathering, which sadly I missed due to being at work.  I still went to the castle, just in case there were some more press about, and Tim was still posing for the camera. But they weren't. And it was raining too. That very fine rain that seems to get everywhere.

So I had a wander about and took a few photos. Fortunately my Olympus camera is weather sealed, so I didn't have to worry about any of the rain getting in. There wasn't really anyone around. So I left and went into town to see if anything was happening there.

Snow Going

I had a very long and difficult drive to Manchester today. It took just about twice as long as it should have.

Firstly there were some roadworks on the M1, so speed was restricted to 50mph, instead of the usual 70mph. This of course resulted in vehicles going at 40mph, and sometimes coming to a standstill.

Next came some rain, which made driving hard work, as there was so much spray about. It was like being in a car wash.

Then when I got on the road that runs through the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire it was snowing. And snowing quite hard at times. In fact in one part, there was no movement of traffic at all. I think we were all stuck in the same spot, or moved very slowly forward for almost an hour.

Finally when I reached Manchester, there was a lot of building work going on. So roads were closed, a few diversions or single lanes. There was one particular main road that had single file traffic on each side, and on the side I was on, there must have been about twenty buses all in a queue, and not going anywhere. So that added to my journey time.

The return journey was a little easier, except for the dreaded roadworks on the M1. But what got me, was the fact that I couldn't see anyone working. But isn't that always the way?

Supermoon

There has been a lot of publicity recently about the moon being the closest to the Earth for a long time.  In fact the next time won't be for another sixty years or so.

It's been nicknamed the 'Supermoon'.

Due to the skies being cloudy over the weekend, I didn't get the opportunity of getting a night time shot, but the moon was still visible early this morning, so I thought I would take a daytime one instead. Especially as the sun was out and it was a clear blue sky.

Lighting The Way

There's a new photo studio in Beeston that opened earlier this year called The Flour Mill. And yes, you've guessed right, it is based in an old Victorian flour mill.

Sian the owner has done a great job of turning it into a working space for artists. It's one large, light airy room that has been painted white.

I visited the studio for the first time a few months ago to interview Sian for the magazine that I write for, but returned today as the studio was running its first photographic workshop. All about lighting.

There were eight of us in total, and the workshop was led by professional photographer Nick Dunmur. He first went through the main types of lighting. We then split into two groups and practiced what we had learned, using ourselves as models.

This is my version of Steve. I used a bit of side lighting, just to highlight his face and body, but wanted to keep it quite dark, almost mysterious. Just enough information to see who it is, but not why they are there.

Farewell My Friend

2016 hasn't been a good year for stars of the entertainment business. First there was David Bowie, then Prince, Ronnie Corbett, Victoria Wood, and now Leonard Cohen.

I came into Cohen's world quite late. Around 1994, when an old neighbour of mine lent me his copy of 'The Future'. I played it a couple of times and was hooked.  A bleak musical look into how the world might be if we go on the way we are. Some deep and meaningful lyrics. Not just the usual "I love you baby" songs.

So I searched out his back catalogue and found great songs like 'Suzanne', 'First We Take Manhattan', 'The Tower of Song', and of course 'Hallelujah'. Songs about love, death, power, alienation. Certainly something special in all those lyrics of his.

Sadly I woke up this morning to the news that Leonard hadn't. But at 82, it wasn't unexpected. In fact I read somewhere that he was getting prepared for it. His latest and 14th album "You Want It Darker" was only released three weeks ago.

I was going to put the album on my Christmas present list, but out of love and respect for the Canadian poet, I bought it today and am plying it whilst writing this. The title track is quite religious in a way and illustrates through words the state of the world today. It even includes the line "I'm ready my Lord", which probably means that I am now prepared for death and waiting to go.

Besides not making anymore albums, I'm sad that I never got to see him in concert. So I'll just have to make do with videos on YouTube, and pretend that I'm in the audience.

So he's now taken up residence in the Tower of Song, where I'm sure his gravelly voice will be welcome to those that like his style of music.

A Tale Of A Tale

As there hasn't really been much to watch on terrestrial TV lately, we're having a go with a free trial of Netflix.

Because I've read so many comments from people ranting on about Breaking Bad, we watched some of the first episode, but didn't really get on with it.

So looking at what other programmes were on offer, I picked a series called 'Once Upon A Time'. And we are hooked. We are now watching about three or four episodes a night. Which is great, as over 120 have been made so far.

The basic plot centres around this small American coastal town called Storybrooke. The people go about their business, completely unaware that they are actually characters from traditional fairy tales, who have been cursed by the evil queen, who is the mayor of the town. Another antagonist is Rumplestiltskin, who masquerades as the town's antiques dealer, and richly played by Scottish actor Robert Carlyle. The school teacher is Snow White and a waitress is Red Riding Hood.

There is a protagonist of course, in the form of a woman called Emma Swan, who just happens to be the daughter of Snow White's and Prince Charming, and her eleven year old biological son called Henry, who was adopted by the mayor as a baby.

We have now started on series three, and who should make an appearance but Nottingham's own folklore legend Robin Hood. He did pop up briefly in series two, together with a pregnant Maid Marian. But this time he appears to be on his own, but being helped by the Asian soldier Mulan.

Series three takes place in Neverland, where Peter Pan is a baddie and has kidnapped Henry.

Let's Do The Monster Mash Again

Well it's just struck midnight and so Halloween has begun.

The one time of the year when ghosties and beasties can go bump in the night as they do the dance macabre.

One of Frankenstein's relations looks like he's having a good time bopping away in the mist and cobwebs that the night has delivered.

Hands Across The Ocean

Today is Robin Hood Day. The sixteenth one to celebrate our local legend.

Of course Tim has been busy up at the castle, getting involved with all aspects of the pageant that's taking place this weekend.

I'm not able to go, so here's a shot of a couple of overseas visitors that were in Nottingham the other day, when the caves exhibition was on in the Old Market Square, posing for a photograph with Robin Hood and Friar Tuck.

I guess besides Mickey Mouse, Tim's smiling face must be in thousands and thousands of photo albums across the globe, as locals, visitors and tourists queue up to have their photo taken with him.

Our very own global superstar.

All The Fun Of The Fair

The castle grounds is being turned into a medieval village this weekend, as it's the Robin Hood Pageant.

There will be fire eating, jousting, a working blacksmith and of course our very own Robin Hood will be turning up and getting involved in all the activities.

I had a stroll up there this lunchtime to see what had been constructed. Some work was still being done in constructing things and preparing the area for the opening show tonight.

I didn't make the opening night, as we were planning to go to the cinema. But after a change of thought, we've decided to go tomorrow night instead, so I won't get to see that show either.

I will read what Tim, who depicts Robin Hood writes tomorrow. It's a fairly warm and dry evening, so hopefully it would have been a good success for all those involved,

Italian Dream

I've been reminded on Facebook that it's a year since Gail and I visited the Italian region of Tuscany.

We went on a ten day holiday with six other people and visited several places like Florence, Arezzo and Siena.

It was a bit of a road trip and brilliant fun it was too. We were in two minibuses, and we shared ours with two other photographers. Which was great, as they perfectly understood why I was taking a photo of a rusty lock.

This castle is in the small town of Radicofani. You get some great views of the area from the top. We also got to meet the mayor of the town and had a group photograph by the statue of Ghino di Tacco, who was their version of Robin Hood.

Have They Got A Clue?

I happen to be talking to a guy at work the other day who told me he was in a band, and would be playing at The Hop Pole in Chilwell on Saturday Night.

He said that they had played at Oxjam last week, and so would be making a return appearance.

Unfortunately I missed their set last Saturday night, so I said that I would pop down and see what they are like and perhaps take a few snaps of them in action.

The Cluedo Club are a covers band that perform good versions of classic rock songs. Amongst the ones I heard were Hendrix's 'Hey Joe', 'All or Nothing' by the Small Faces, and 'Sharp Dressed Man' by ZZ Top.

It was certainly strange seeing my coworker singing and playing bass, rather than him undertaking his usual duties.

It Is The Season, Turn, Turn, Turn

Cycling back from shopping in Beeston this morning, I was pleased to still see the sun and a blue sky, even though we are rapidly heading towards winter, and the cold and those early dark nights.

Moving up one of the roads towards our house, I just had to stop to take a photo of this wonderful tree with its red and orange leaves, gently being kissed by the sunlight.

Italian Stallion

I had reason to take my Fiat 500 to the dealership today. Fortunately nothing too drastic or expensive.

While I was waiting for the return of my vehicle, I noticed an original 500, left hand drive too. It's in almost new condition, and according to the registration plate, made in 1971.

Lunchtime Sunshine

My lunchtime stroll today took me through the Lace Market. A lovely sunny, autumnal day.

I decided to try out one of my vintage manual lenses, as I've not had a play with one for a while.

Here is St Mary's Church, bathed in sunshine, surrounded by some of the trees that are in the ancient churchyard.

Watch The Birdie

A new event has arrived in the Old Market Square this week. It's a festival about the caves that run under the city centre.

There are meant to be hundreds of them. There's a lot of them you can visit. The most well known is Mortimer's Hole, which was a secret route into the castle.

There is a virtual reality tour of them, where you wear some special goggles and can explore this underworld, without leaving the confines of the marquee.

I didn't get the opportunity of doing it today. But hope to sometime this week.

Of course my mate Tim, who is Nottingham's official Robin Hood was there to promote the event. Lots of visitors kept coming up to him for a photograph and to say hello.

A photographer from our local paper, the Nottingham Post was there to capture the event for its readers.

Here's Tim posing for the camera. I'll expect to see him on the front cover of tomorrow's edition.

Blue, Blue. Electric Blue

There was an event in the Old Market Square today promoting the advantages of electric vehicles, like this Nissan Leaf

Various makes of cars were on show, together with a local bus operated by Nottingham City Council.

Due to the rain, there weren't that many people about to see what was on offer. I bumped into a photographer that I know who was taking some publicity photos for the council.

I just wonder if rain and electric cars are really meant to mix. But I suppose the rubber tyres will protect you from being electrocuted, should water get in the batteries!

Double Trouble

I was on a training course today & when I came out of the training centre, it started raining very gently at first, before it got heavier.

But I didn't immediately run for cover, as I noticed a double rainbow in the sky. Not the first time that I've seen one, but the first time that I took a photo of one.

Although one of the rainbow's colours are quite strong, it's a shame that the other one isn't so pronounced. Still it was good to get to see one at all.

Fortunately the rain didn't last that long, and it was a sunny journey back home.

The Night Closes In

I was out and about today, but didn't come across anything worth taking a photo of.

But on the way home, I cycle over a small bridge which spans the canal, and I just happen to notice that some sunset coloured clouds were being reflected in the water. So that's my photo of the day.

There won't be much more early evening photography, with the clocks going back at the end of the month by an hour, so it's dark at 4pm.  I'm dreading those long dark nights which last until next March.

Wish I could hibernate!

Nature Art

I visited my local library this morning for the last time in 2016. Not because I'm leaving Beeston, but because the library is closing for nearly a year, so it can go through a £1,000,000 upgrade.

It's having a new roof and windows, and they are going to re-introduce the front entrance, which was blocked up many years ago. There's also going to be new shelving and hopefully a performance area for visiting musicians etc.

Leaving, I noticed a trail of stones on the wall surrounding the library. On closer inspection, I could see that someone had made, what I take to be a fish out of a leaf from a laurel bush and some stones.

I guess that it had been created by one, or some of the children that go the the adjacent Round Hill School. It's quite artistic, so I thought I would record it for posterity.

Golden Days

Quite a sunny day today, except when I was getting ready to leave work and cycle home, when the heavens opened, and the rain came teeming down.

Fortunately it wasn't around for very long and so I could start my journey home. There was a small rainbow in the sky, but nothing really worth taking a photo of.

By the time I had reached Highfields, the grey clouds had disappeared and there was a great sunset to enjoy, as my photo of the lake and the university shows.

A Tentative View

It's back. The Spiegeltent is making a welcome return to the city centre. They started putting together the building yesterday and it opens at the weekend, with shows that go on for the next seven days.

The travelling entertainment space made it's first visit this time last year. Of course I blogged about it, and you can read what I put by clicking on this link.

I will be popping in one lunchtime next week to see if it looks the same as it did in 2015.

A Touch Of Pink

A stroll up to the castle today, as I haven't been in a while. Despite the warmth, it has been a bit of an overcast day.

As autumn is rapidly approaching, I was surprised to see some, what I think are crocuses growing in the castle grounds. I find this a bit odd, as I've always thought that they were a spring flower. An indication that winter is saying goodbye. But sadly we are having to face the cold weather and dark nights once again for half the year.

Best Buddies

My lunchtime amble took me down Hockley today. It's a good area for shopping, people watching and events.

Unfortunately none of those things happened whilst I was there, but I did notice this photograph on the pavement that had been thrown away for some reason.

I casually picked it up to see if there was any names on the back. There wasn't. Only the word 'Agfa', just to prove that it was a real photo.

So I wonder who these two girls are, when it was taken, and how their picture ended up on  the pavement of a Nottingham Street?

They are probably school or college friends. Possibly taken several years ago, when thin eyebrows were popular. Now girls have brows that look like they were painted on with a bingo dobber. Thick lines. I don't think it's a good look at all, but women keep doing it. Why?

A Helping Hand

I've mentioned the Canalside Heritage Centre on here a few times, as it's an exciting and worthwhile project. The plan is to turn some derelict lock cottages into a heritage, arts and educational centre.

The work is progressing well, with the renovations are really making a difference to how the buildings look. Interestingly, most of the building materials have been delivered by boat, as the location is difficult for wheeled vehicles.

The projet team have recently entered a competition that is being run by Marks and Spencer's, to win a biomass boiler, which is worth £12.500.

A member of the project team was out in Beeston today to promote the competition and to get shoppers to vote for them.

They are presently running second, so to help them win, I am asking everyone who reads this post, if they would kindly pop over to the M&S website and vote. The project is listed under the Central East area.

The website address is accessed through this Weblink

Thanks. And I'll let you all know if you have made a difference.

It's A Great Life On The Buses

A couple of weeks ago, the Old Market Square resembled a seaside, complete with sand, slot machines and donkey rides.

Now it has taken on the role of global market, especially with food, as there is all sorts available, French crepes, Thai street food and various curries. Local superstar butcher Johnny Pusztai was there too, offering his famous sausages and burgers to hungry passers by.

Drink wasn't neglected, with a Pimms tent, and this novel use for an old London bus. Quite a good idea, and nice to see this example of the world famous Routemaster get a new lease of life after spending years running up and down the streets of the capital.

I see this musician is wondering whether he could get a gig on board, as maybe the upstairs is a cosy seating area, where you can sit, chat, drink and watch the world go by.

Considering today is the first day of autumn, it was lovely and sunny at lunchtime when I visited the market. Plenty of people were milling around and looking at the things to buy. There was even a stall where you could obtain a mortgage, and another that was selling a special peeler for making vegetables look decorative.

Music didn't go amiss, as when I was there a singer was entertaining everyone with some reggae tunes.

What A Difference A Day Makes

Well, what did I say yesterday about what a great summer it's been. Well it was certainly over today, as it rained for most of the day. I got soaked cycling to work this morning. Not so much from the rain itself, but from vehicles splashing me, as they drove through puddles.

It's not been a particularly good day overall. Quite a disappointing one in fact. The musician Seth Lakeman was meant to be visiting the Fopp music shop in town to give a little show and sign his CDs, but he had to cancel, due to getting stuck in traffic, and he was playing a gig in Derby tonight. So he had to miss Nottingham out.

So I had a walk round the city centre, to see what the stormy sky looked like in the Old Market Square and over the castle.

Fortunately no more rain appeared, so I was able to cycle home dry.