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.

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?

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.

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 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.

Sand And Showers

Today apparently is World Photography Day.

As according to the history books, the first photo was taken 177 years ago today. Of course this is one that I've taken today.

Not particularly exciting, as it has been raining all day, and so not a lot was happening. But it does show some abandoned deckchairs in the beach area of the Old Market Square.

In fact the whole beach area was deserted, except for a couple of guys propping up the bar of the Beach Bar and a brave child on one of the rides.

The rain has been about the first for about three weeks, and is welcome, as the plants in the garden are starting to look a bit sorry for themselves. I have got the hosepipe out a few times, but probably not as much as I should have.

The forecast is for similar over the weekend, so I certainly won't have to do any more watering for a few days, which means more time for photography.

The Sky's The Limit

I spent several hours today in Farnsfield, taking photos at their Farnstock event at a local school. The eleventh one, held in the Nottinghamshire village.

It was well attended, and there was plenty to see and do. Pottery making, silent disco, eating, or just listening to musicians that were playing all afternoon.

It was the first time that I had been to the event, but I was asked to take the official photographs by one of the organisers, as he likes my style of photography.

I've yet to start going through and editing them. A bit of a daunting job, when I've taken over 700. It's going to take me a while to whittle them down to send the best ones off.

The weather has been a bit mixed all day. Cloudy. A little bit of rain and then some sunshine. When I was driving home through some of Nottingham's countryside, the sun had come fully out and was dazzling with its brightness, after being so dull for most of the day. 

Passing some fields, I noticed how light they were compared to the cloudy sky. So I just had to stop and take some photos. Luckily there was a pull in nearby, so I was able to get out of my car and take a couple of shots. I was quite lucky, in that the moon was in the right place to be included in the picture too.

Carnival Atmosphere

It was carnival time in Beeston today  I wasn't sure whether it was going to take place, as it had been raining since the early hours, and as a lot of it would be taking place at Broadgate Park, I wondered whether it would be cancelled, as the park might resemble Glastonbury.

But by lunchtime, the rain had stopped, but sadly no sun, and the carnival went ahead. There were lots of stalls on the park, then at 1pm, the carnival procession started at one end of the town and slowly made its way along the High Road until it reached Broadgate Park, where everyone dispersed into their own individual groups and went their separate ways.

I of course spent most of the time snapping away at the action. I was also taking photos for various groups that I'm involved with, or know that were appearing at the carnival.
Here's a few shots that I took during the day. The top one is one of the cast from the Beeston Musical Theatre Group that are putting on 'The Wedding Singer' later in the year. Then we have 'Mrs Mango' the mascot of Trent Barton buses, a stuffed toy for sale and finally, Stan Heptinstall, who was our mayor last year, who looked happy, as he had just won a couple of prizes in a tombola.

Whatever The Weather

Just got back from Beeston and got caught in a hailstone storm. No, this isn't 'noise' from my camera, but the actual little white frozen balls falling from the sky.

What makes the scene even more unusual, is that there's the beginnings of a rainbow too.

Morning Has Broken

I don't usually get up at 6.30am to go to work, but this week I have to, as there's some travelling involved in getting from my hotel to the office.

The only plus I can think of, is that I can get to see the sun come up. Sadly it didn't last very long and the storm clouds appeared and the rain set in for the rest of the day.

A typical day in Wales I believe.

A Dusting Of The White Stuff

The weather people have been informing us for a couple of weeks now that snow was on its way. But none had appeared. Possibly because it has been too warm, despite that it is supposed to be January.

But tonight it has finally happened. Only a slight dusting at the moment, but who knows what it is going to be like by the morning. Snowman building perhaps?

A Hazy Shade Of Winter

I'm not sure exactly what happened to this photo, but that's how it appeared, when I downloaded it into Lightroom.

It's quite a strange effect, like there's a very bad snowstorm happening, or a dense fog. But it's just been a normal, slightly cold day.

Missing You Already

Believe it or not, it hasn't rained yet in Beeston today. In fact it has been quite a sunny day, albeit a cold one.  You could be mistaken in thinking it was say October, rather than January.

Managed to do a couple of jobs in the garden. Still a little wet to do any digging or jobs like that.  The weather people have forecast snow to arrive in the next day or so. In one way I look forward to this, for photographic reasons, but then I can't stand it, as it makes travelling difficult.  We will just have to see.

Secret Squirrel

Another dull day, and another cycle ride through Highfields.

One of the many squirrels that inhabit the park posed for me today, whilst looking for food. Not having a zoom lens on my camera, I had to creep very slowly towards him. I actually had a legacy lens on my Olympus, the Nikon 50mm f1.4D. I moved very quietly too, so that I wouldn't scare him and he would make a bolt for the nearby tree. But he sat there quite contentedly posing for a photo or two, before scuttling off in search of some more titbits.

Shepherd's Delight

There is an old saying which goes "Red sky at night, shepherd's delight".

Well, we certainly had a red sky last night, but I don't think too many Nottingham based shepherds, or anyone else for that matter would be pleased with today's weather, as it certainly wasn't a delight, being dull, cold and the constant threat of rain.

Lets hope the weather over the weekend will be better.

Blue In The Sun

It was raining this morning as I cycled to work, so I thought it would be a fairly horrible day, but when I went out at lunchtime, the rain had almost stopped and the sun was slowly showing its face.  So by the time I got ready to come home, the sun was shining, but it was somewhat windy, which made cycling difficult, as it was blowing in the wrong direction.

So I thought I would take a detour through Highfields and see if anything was happening. It was fairly quiet except for the joggers, but I did spot these bluebells enjoying the early evening sun.

Cat Day Afternoon

Well it's fortunate that we had our barbecue yesterday, as all its done today is rain. Rain, rain, rain. I'm not sure that it's even stopped.

Marmalade has been sleeping in one of the chairs that we have in our study room, whilst as you can see, Oscar has made himself very comfortable on our bed and surrounded by laundry.

It sure is a cat's life. If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I'm coming back as a cat. Eating & sleeping. The two best things in life.

Raindrops Are Falling On My Head

It has apparently been the hottest day of the year today, and yes it has felt like it. I actually thought I was in Dubai, it was that hot.

I'm writing this at 11pm (BST) and the clock/date/temperature gauge on the wall is showing 28C, or 82F, for those like me that prefer the old style weights and measures.

I took this photo yesterday evening, as we had just had a shower. Raindrops clinging to a leaf on one of our rose bushes.

Tomorrow's weather has been forecast as having severe storms. So that should be fun!

Beeston Castle

Well, the weather certainly has been a bit topsy-turvy today. This morning it was coldish, wet and generally a bit miserable.

There were reports of possible hailstones and even tornadoes, but thankfully all we got was rain. But by three o'clock it had stopped and the sun came out and warmed & dried everything.

Walking along the High Road, I noticed how lovely the clouds looked. Mainly wispy, and certainly a lot different from the ones earlier. Or should that be one, as the whole sky was a solid grey colour.

So here's a shot of the tower from Beeston's main church, as sadly Beeston doesn't have a castle. But if it did, I'd like it to look a bit like this.

Be Seeing You

This time last year, Gail & I were wandering around an empty Portmeirion. We had booked a couple of days away there for a treat, as it was my 50th birthday and our 7th wedding anniversary.

Sadly we are not there this year, but tomorrow we will be spending the day in Lincoln, just to have a look round and take some photographs. Hope the weather is going to behave itself. It was very cold in North Wales last year, but it was really sunny, and we spent a lovely day in the Village.