Nag's Head

These brass horses are actually part of very dramatic door handles that I came across today whilst at my local police station.

No, it's OK, I hadn't been arrested for taking photographs, which seems to happen a lot these days, but was on a conducted tour round the building, which was built in the 1930s and is full of art deco architecture.

Visiting The Past

It's always interesting to see how air travel has developed since the early 1920's, when small propeller driven plane used to fly to France and other parts of Europe. Croydon Airport seemed to be the most well known at that time.

Birmingham Airport started life in the late 1930s in Elmdon, which is part of Solihull. Elmdon Aerodrome opened in 1939, but was soon turned into an RAF base, then becoming Birmingham Airport in about 1960.

My photo shows the Elmdon Building, which was the original terminal building. It's a great example of Art Deco architecture. Perfectly symmetrical, with all the straight lines that are typical of 30s buildings. The canopies on each side were built to protect passengers and baggage from bad weather as they went on and came off the planes.

A shame that it was not possible to see the front of the building, as unfortunately that is inside the airport parameter. But this old photo from English Heritage shows what an amazing building it is. It even looks like a plane. A really lovely building, and pleased that it is still in use. I just think that it needs a bit of TLC and a lick of paint.

Going Round In Circles

I've shown you this piece of great piece of art deco stonework before, but not shot with a fisheye lens, or the dramatic tone filter on the OMD.

A good combination don't you think?

Lion's Made

I'll try and make this my last 'fisheye' photo for a while, but it's just a great lens to use. And what fun too. So much so, that I can't stop taking it out with me!

This one is of the 'right lion' which stands in the Old Market Square. Unfortunately he isn't as popular as the 'left lion'; who is traditionally used as the place where people meet.

Apparently he does have a name.though.  Oscar Agamemnon, and he is on Twitter, if you fancy following him. Although he has been a little quiet recently. So go and wake him up.

Lady In Waiting

This rather elegant figurine was on offer at a shop that was closing down. She's clearly designed in the 1920s style; short bob haircut and art deco influence dress.

Although it is very pretty to look at and was probably a bargain price, I didn't splash out on it. Mainly because we wouldn't have anywhere to put it, as tops of furniture, display cabinets and window sills are full up already.

The White House

I am in London today for a job interview.

A scary thought, and to be honest, I'm not looking forward to it. Self promotion is not one of my strongest points.

Anyway, I'm staying at a hotel in the Bloomsbury area of the city, not far from the office of where I have to go.

The room that I have doesn't have a great view out of the window. It's all the air con units. But looking out of one of the windows along the corridor, I was stunned to see this amazing Art Deco building, painted in traditional white.

So I went outside and took some shots from street level. Converging angles is always a problem, but in this case, I think it adds to the angular shape of the building.

I love the little details, like the stylised waves over the doorway.

"Eyes Down, Look In"

These words are very familiar to those people that play bingo. But these days, this former cinema on Alfreton Road has become a church. So it is at least being used, even though it is looking a bit run down and forlorn.

The building is a great example of art deco architecture, and Nottingham is lucky enough to still have a few left, although they are no longer used as cinemas.