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.

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,

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.

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.

Digging Up The Past

There's some archeology going on in the castle grounds at the moment.

It's not on the scale of television's Time Team series, but they do seem to have dug a fair old bit of earth out from the area that they've chosen for the dig.

I have no idea of what they hope to find. Be good if they do dig up something really exciting like one of Robin Hood's arrows, or some of the Sheriff's gold coins.

You've Been Framed

Nottingham Castle has just opened a very special exhibition that goes on until October.

The castle has been loaned from the Royal Collection ten original drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci, which are over 500 years ago.

So I paid a visit today, just to see what's on offer. Apparently its been estimated that in the region of 80,000 people will see the pictures over the next three months. Fortunately it wasn't too busy at lunchtime, despite being the school holidays, so I had a good look at the   line drawings, which consisted of life studies, animals and diagrams. Sadly his design for a helicopter, or a pencil drawing of the Mona Lisa wasn't included.

Photography is allowed, but no flash. Which is fine by me, as I'm sure it would ruin the photo anyway with the reflection in the glass frames. I took a few shots, but weren't really happy with them. As I think I might have had the wrong lens on. But at least with my new season ticket, I'll be able to keep going back until I get the photos I want.

I took the photo above when I first walked in. They are not the Da Vinci ones, just a collection of work by different artists. I just think that the photo works well, showing the five people intently studying the framed pictures.

Shooting The Shooter

Another view of the wicker Robin Hood, to the one that I published on July 12th, which is situated in the gardens at the castle.

I've also used a square format and one of the art filters that my Olympus camera comes with.

Flower Power

I quite like this delicate little plant with its very pale purple flowers, that I came across in the grounds of the castle.

I think it is a member of the geranium family. But I'm no Percy Thrower, so not entirely sure that I am right.

Field Study

Here's the wicker version of Robin Hood, which stands in the grounds of Nottingham Castle.

A Monk In Time

My pal at work who I meet up with at lunchtimes for a bit of photography bought an Olympus EM-1 yesterday, as he hasn't really got on with the camera that he bought earlier in the year, and it has affected his enthusiasm for taking pictures.

So he made the momentous and expensive decision to go and buy the model of camera that I use. He's been impressed with the camera's features and the customer service that Olympus provide, so he wanted to join the club. He's also pleased that I can offer help and advice on settings etc, as I've had mine almost since it came out.

So this lunchtime we decided to visit the castle, so that he could take some photos and I could give him a bit of training on how to get the best out of the camera.  Whilst we were walking around the grounds, we came across this 'monk' who was telling some visitors a tale about the history of the castle and its involvement in religion.

A good subject to photograph, as the actor was quite expressive and didn't mind being photographed. So we both took some photos, me with my 45mm lens and my pal with his 12-40mm. He was pleased with the results and the camera appears to have sparked his interest in photography again, which is brilliant.

He's not entirely sure what he is going to do with his other camera yet. He may trade it in, so he can buy some more lenses, or simply keep it for now, or pass it to his son.

Green And White

A soft focus close up of a flower that is currently growing out of the wall of Nottingham Castle.

Castle Light

Nottingham Castle as the sun was setting. I took it from a local car park, so I was almost at the same height as the castle itself.

Shades Of Autumn

Another bit of welcome autumn/winter sunshine today, so I took this photo of the castle, Castle Rock and the Brewhouse Museum from the grounds of the Brewhouse yard.

Smile And The Whole World Smiles With You

This rather extraordinary piece of art was on show last week at the castle whilst the Olympic torch visited the city.

It had been designed by architectural students from the university and appeared to be made from brand new pallets.

I took various shots of it from different angles, but this happy looking man with his smiling T shirt, just adds to the fun of the piece.

Blowin In The Wind

Autumn's here & so too is the colder weather, dark mornings & of course leaves. Lots & lots of leaves. There's so many trees in the grounds of the castle, that the gardeners there have to use blowers to round up all the leaves.

Make A Wish

This pond is in the grounds of of the castle. Considering the number of visitors the castle gets every day, I wasn't surprised to see so many coins, thrown in by people hoping for a change in their fortunes.

I wonder how many wishes have come true?

Cloak And Dagger

Today, a very special exhibition opens at Nottingham Castle. A number of costumes, props etc from the recent series of Robin Hood are going on display for a while. I will take a look this week & see if I can get some photos for the site. But for now, you'll have to make do with this giant advertising poster.

Howzat!

That is what this floral display and sculpture is called. Obviously as it takes a cricketing theme. The design was originally on display at a Royal Horticultural Society flower show, where it won an award. It has been transplanted to the grounds of Nottingham Castle, so everyone can see it.

Exit, Stage Right

You can tell by the wear and tear on the metal, that this turnstile at the Castle has been in use for some years. I have no idea how long, but would guess at least 50, maybe more. Hundreds of people pass through the gate everyday, after they have been to look round the castle and its grounds.

A Merry Man?

Robin Hood's band of outlaws were collectively known as Merry Men. This actor posing as one at Nottingham Castle doesn't look too merry or happy. Maybe he's a bit fed up with all the visitors to the castle, asking him to pose for photos.