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.