Party Time

We invited come close friends and neighbours over today for our first ever barbecue.

I've never really been a fan of barbecues, as I've often found that sometimes the food hasn't been properly cooked, but since Gail cooked everything in the oven first and then I finished it off on the BBQ, it all worked out fine, and everyone that came seemed to have a good time.

It was nice to catch up with people and share a glass or two with them. A shame that some we'd invited couldn't come. But isn't that always the way?

I'm glad that we held it today, as tomorrow's weather forecast isn't very good. But then that's typical for a British Bank Holiday.

The Universe In A Jar

£15 seems a cheap price to pay for owning extracts of the universe.

Collecting some of the Earth is fairly easy, and I suppose Neil Armstrong brought some Moon dust back with him when he landed in the Eagle spaceship in 1969. Hope it's not past its sell by date though.

But how do you manage to bottle the sky and the sun. And if the sun is so hot, how come it hasn't melted the container?

Jones The Hops

I picked up a couple of new beers at the weekend from one of the local stores that I visit.

The labels intrigued me at first; especially the Organ Morgan one, as I remember how pronounced Richard Burton spoke the name, in the play for voices; Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas of course. And yes they are Welsh beers, brewed in Cardiff no less.

The Organ beer was very tasty, and I am looking forward to savouring 'Jack Black', as I am quite partial to the darker beers.

Still Life

Spotted these three old cameras on a high shelf in the Lion pub in Basford.

I have no idea if they work or not, but seems a shame that they are up there gathering dusk, while they could be filled with a roll of film and taken out and used. After all that is what photography is all about.

Still, saying that, since I got my Olympus OMD last year, I've hardly touched my Nikon D3s, and it sits lonely in the cupboard surrounded by expensive lenses.

Why, Why, Why Delilah?

Some of you may have heard of Scott Kelby. He is an American photographer and author of many books about photography and Photoshop. He also devised the photowalk five years ago. This is where a number of photographers get together and stroll around taking pictures.

Gail & I did exactly that late yesterday afternoon in Nottingham city centre. Ours was one of many groups across the world doing the same. I think there was around 28 on ours. Some faces I knew well and some were new to me. So it was good to meet some more local camera buffs.

We caught up with the group near the Playhouse, then ambled our way down to the Old Market Square. We then went to the Lace Market area, then down by the canal and ending up at the 'Trip' for a beverage.

Gail, myself and a friend called Lamar had somehow broken off from the main group. Although I think many went off in little groups, as they had spotted something. We stopped outside the well known  delicatessen's called delilah on Middle Pavement and took a few photos of the window displays etc. One of the assistants asked if we were from the press, as she explained that as they were an award winning deli, they often got media types popping in for a shot or two. She also said that this was their last day in that location, as they were moving to bigger premises around the corner.

We explained who were were and she said that she would find out whether it would be OK for us to shoot inside. She came back and said that the manager had said yes. So we trooped in and started taking some shots. Just then another guy, presumably the owner said that we were making his (few) customers uncomfortable and asked us to leave.

I only managed to take two shots inside; with this one being the better of the pair. Gail said that she didn't manage any, and I'm not sure if Lamar took any as he likes to take his time in lining up a shot.

Crime Does Pay

Wednesday night is Headbanger Challenge night in Blogland, and Richard, our newest recruit has come up with this weeks' theme. He has picked 'through the window'.

Now this sentence takes me back to my childhood when I watched Play School at about 4pm every weekday. And everyday they used to either go through the round, square or arched window, and we'd see a film of something being made, a different country or some such thing.

So I'm taking you through the oblong window to Chester today and this pirate who was standing guard inside a shop; which I just can't remember what it's name was, or what it was selling. Still it makes for something different.

Don't forget to pop over to the other blogs to see how they have interpreted the theme, and enjoy this nostalgic song from the 1930s.


The famous American crime writer Lee Child was in town today, doing a book signing at Waterstones of his latest novel "A Wanted Man'. And he certainly was wanted, as there was a queue a mile long that stretched up the side of the building.
His wrist must really have ached after autographing so many editions. In fact one guy came along with a bag full of his previous novels to sign!

I have read one of his novels so far called 61 Hours. It was a good read too. Quite suspenseful and certainly a page turner. I will probably get this one when it appears in my local library, which I think is about his 12th so far.

I also had a bit of a surprise, as this young lady came up to me and asked if I was "Gailsman". I said I was, and she introduced herself as Eva, and she helped to write the Nottingham Confidential website; of which you'll find a link on my favourite blogs. She said that she enjoyed looking at my blog and thought my photos were great. I said that I found NC very useful for finding out about some of the events that were taking place in the city. So if you are reading this Eva, nice to have met you today and hope to bump into you at the next event.

Champagne Reception

I've undertaken my first every wedding as the official photographer. Gail's brother was getting married, and as a wedding gift she suggested that we took the photos for them both.

I was a bit worried whether I would be able to do it, as I'm more used to taking photos of strangers on the street, than formal family occasions. Especially a wedding; one of the most important days in a woman's life, so I didn't want to muck it up.

Fortunately it was a lovely sunny day again and I don't think the photos turned out too bad. I took loads, so should be able to sort out some good ones. Ones that will look alright in an album. It was at a local registry office, so unfortunately it wasn't in a classically romantic location like a castle or a park. But I think I made the best of what was available.

At the reception I took some photos of the guests, the cake and the like. The small things that sometimes get forgotten; like this table display for example.