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.

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.

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.

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.

Seaside Special

The Nottingham beach has returned to the Old Market Square for the summer, and today was the opening ceremony.

I was quite fortunate to be around to see it, as I had been busy at work, and wasn't sure at what time I would get my lunch break, let alone at what time it was the opening was to take place. A good case of Serendipity.

My main aim today was to test out a vintage Pentacom 30mm f3.5 lens that I'd bought yesterday from a charity shop for a few pounds, so was looking for somewhere to try it out.  And what better than Nottingham's own seaside.

Here's the sheriff and lord mayor of Nottingham posing for a photo that will be appearing in tomorrow's Post newspaper.

It's A Great Life On The Buses

Well I've now found the time to start blogging again. After coming back from Cornwall and catching up with things at home, I can hopefully get going with the blog again, and even write about the days that Gail and I were away on our road trip around what Thomas Hardy called Wessex.

Today's story also deals with the past, in the form of a trolleybus that has been missing from the streets of Nottingham since 1 July 1966, when it was taken out of service, as this method of transport had been phased out.

To commemorate this fact, a number of vintage buses were on display in the Old Market Square today, as all this happened 50 years ago. An AEC Regent belonging to West Bridgford UDC, An Atlantean city bus from the 1970s and one from the South Notts Bus Company were all parked up for everyone to see.

But the trolleybus was getting the most interest, as a lot of people had never seen one in the flesh so to speak. Even me. Especially the one that took that final trip all those years ago.

It has been subject to a lot of restoration work, as it wasn't in very good condition when it was sold off. But now it looks brand new, even though they haven't really bothered that much with the driver's cab. It all looks so primitive, compared to today's state of the art buses and coaches.

Ding, ding. All aboard!

Seasons Greetings

Nottingham Daily Photo would like to wish all its visitors a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

Spin Around The City

The theme for this month's theme day is 'revolution'.

Nottingham has had a few revolutionaries down the years; the Luddites, Robin Hood, and played a part in the English Civil War.

But i've gone for something a little different, in the giant Ferris Wheel that appeared in the Old Market Square earlier in the year.

I used a fish eye lens, to give it and even more round look. Incidentally, I didn't go on it, as I am scared of heights.

Where's George?

St George's Day and there was a big parade in the Old Market Square. As usual, the procession started at the Forest Recreation Ground and made it's way down to the city centre, led of course by St George and our very own Robin Hood.

I noticed that there seemed to be an awful lot of men in the parade, and while they were marching and singing, I thought I was at a football match.

It was lovely and warm today, and I think that everyone had a good time.

Fashionistas, Head This Way

It's the annual 48 Hours of Fashion event in the city centre, which starts today. It mixes various offers and events, with big hourly fashion shows in the Old Market Square.

Sadly I just missed the start of the 1pm showing, and the guys on the door wouldn't let me in. Which annoyed me, as I'm sure it wouldn't have mattered. So I had to make do with taking a photo of the marquee they are using, together with a giant TV screen.

Must try harder next year.

City Lights

A shot from the Castle grounds of the Nottingham skyline, which I took during Friday's Light Night celebrations. There is of course the big ferris wheel situated in the Old Market Square on the left. The Victoria Centre flats in the middle and of course the dome of the Council House on the right.

Round And Round

The 60 metre tall ferris wheel has made a welcome return after being absent for four years.

Unofficially called the 'Nottingham Eye', but due to copyright reasons, it's been named 'the Wheel of Nottingham'.

It's here for about a month. But will be very popular on Friday, when it's Light Night across the city.

Home Thoughts From Abroad

There is a lot of activity in the Old Market Square at the moment, with workmen erecting all sorts of stages, tunnels and booths for an exhibition that takes place later this week.

Hopefully there should be plenty to photograph and things to learn about the 'Great War' that began a century ago.

Limo

Another day, another wedding at the Council House.

I'm always interested to see what vehicles turn up as wedding cars. The other week it was an old London bus, this time it is a 1969 Daimler DS420.

These have been standard vehicles for weddings, funerals and ambassadors for years. My dad actually drove one for his job when we lived in London during the 1970s.

You can just about make out the driver of this one relaxing in the back, while his clients are getting spliced.

Best Of British

Two Iconic British vehicles were in the Old Market Square today; a Rolls Royce Phantom V and the good old London Routemaster Bus.

They were being used for a wedding that was taking place at the Council House. There were plenty of people stopping to admire the vehicles and to take pictures. Just like me!

Art Imitating Life

Passing through the Old Market Square at lunchtime, I saw these two ladies; one of which was sketching out with chalks a picture of the Council House.

So I stopped and said hello, and asked if I could take a photo of the picture. The artist looked a little bemused, so I explained that I did this photo blog, and that I wanted to take the picture with the real Council House in the background.

She said yes, but be quick as she was very cold and was actually in the process of packing up for the day. I think her friend had already done that, as there was no easel to be seen, just a large bag on the ground.

Review Of The Year - January & February

The countdown to Christmas is well and truly underway, so I thought it would be a good time to reflect on the past year through some photographs taken on the Olympus OMD, which I now use as my main camera.

January saw some bad weather in snow, fog and just generally very cold.  So here's the bell tower of the Council House shrouded in mist. Not quite the pea soupers of the 1940s & 50s, but still quite bad.

February was a lot better, and it also heralded my 50th birthday & 7th wedding anniversary. For a treat, Gail and I went to Portmeirion in North Wales for a weekend break. It was lovely and sunny, but sadly not warm enough to leave our coats off.

The remains of this child's bike was situated on the beach at Criccieth. I like the various textures of the rocks, the sand and the rust on the bike, all brought to life through the dramatic tone filter.

Nearly The Witching Hour

This is of course the dome of the Council House in the Old Market Square.

Built in 1929, and designed by TC Howitt, it has been the centrepiece of Nottingham ever since.

I took this as you can see a little after 10pm. And just at that moment the clouds momentarily separate, to let the Moon show it's face for a little bit.

Skyline

Here's a shot from the roof of the multi-storey car park near the railway station, which shows the new tram bridge over Queens Road.

In the background you can see the Newton Building belonging to Nottingham Trent University, the spire of the former church in the Lace Market which is now the Pitcher & Piano wine bar and of course the dome which is part of the Council House.

Two Is The Magic Number

The subject of pairs seem to feature in my photos today. I witnessed a wedding at lunchtime, as the new bride and groom were posing for photographs on the steps of the Council House.

As it was a sunny afternoon I decided to cycle through Highfields. I stopped off a couple of times, once to take a photo of these two plants. And of course, what park isn't complete without a couple of loving swans?