It Is The Season, Turn, Turn, Turn

Cycling back from shopping in Beeston this morning, I was pleased to still see the sun and a blue sky, even though we are rapidly heading towards winter, and the cold and those early dark nights.

Moving up one of the roads towards our house, I just had to stop to take a photo of this wonderful tree with its red and orange leaves, gently being kissed by the sunlight.

Up Above The Streets And Houses

People of a certain age will probably know that the title of today's post are the opening lyrics to the theme song of the old TV show Rainbow.

Which is quite apt, as while I was out gardening earlier this evening, I noticed one had formed in the sky, even no rain had fallen.  Only the bottom bit was on show, but I still got my camera out to get a photo or two.

Just as well that I did, as it soon disappeared from sight.

The Dog With No Name

Gail & I spent a nice afternoon at a spring fair, that was being held at the local golf club's Walled Garden.

There were quite a few stalls there selling gifts, plants, clothes and food. Another good photo opportunity for us, as there were some nice things on sale. One stall was quite quirky, as it had toy plastic animals and dinosaurs dotted around the table.

We bought some home made jams, and Gail fell in love with this colourful, amusing metal dog. With its friendly eyes and springy tail.

When we finished we had a look around the Walled Garden, as we had never visited it before. We know that it is used for weddings, as we can hear music sometimes, as we don't live that far away.

Gail came up with this idea of taking a photo of our new 'pet' hiding amongst the shrubbery.

We just need a name for him, or her now. So if anyone's got any suggestions, then please let us know.

Castle Colours

Although I never made it to the castle to see the lights there, I took this photo from the top of the multi-storey car park, which isn't too far from the castle grounds.

The coloured lights on the trees look quite effective, while the castle is just bathed in light from the inside, which was open, so you could look round and see the new exhibition that's on at the moment.

And with that final shot, I jumped into my car and drove home to some fish & chips and review what I had just taken.

Castle Colours

Cardiff is of course famous for it's castle.

Sadly I didn't get to go inside, as it was closed by the time that I had got there. So I had a walk around some of the perimeter wall. Not all of it, as the castle takes up a lot of space and I didn't want to get lost. Besides which it was cold and raining.

Here's a shot of the Norman Keep, which has twelve sides and is the best example of a Keep in Wales.

Colours Of The Night

For a couple of years or so, Gail and I have been friends with a Welsh photographer called Robert.

Just on Facebook. We've never met or even spoken on the phone. We just comment on each others photos.

I sent Robert a message to say that I was coming to Cardiff, and wondered if he'd like to meet up sometime during the week. So this evening he popped into my hotel to say hello. We had a good chat about photography over dinner.

I said that I was planning to see the bay area of the city and to visit the Doctor Who exhibition that was situated there. Robert suggested he could take me tonight.

So after a short drive, we were down by the waterside. Boy was it cold.

Robert gave me a quick guided tour of the area. The various buildings and statues that are on offer in-between a short walk.

I've Lost Me Marbles

Had a go today of trying to shoot some marbles close up.

Not sure whether it works or not, but it looks quite colourful, and also some nice reflections in the gals.

Night Light

Low Pavement at night and a mixture of restaurants, shops and offices.

I used the diorama art filter on my EM-1 to give the photo the toy town look.

The Sloan Ranger

Gail and I had a dabble today at learning how to paint furniture using Annie Sloan's chalk paint.

A local home furnishing shop called Heidi's was running a three hour workshop on the techniques needed to give new life to old furniture using different paints and brushes, waxes and even a hair dryer to make tired tables, sad seats and boring bookcases more exciting.

It was quite a fun session with Phil the trainer. Besides Gail & I, there were three other ladies in the 'class' and we all seemed to enjoy the experience and knowledge gained.

We were each given a piece of wood and asked to choose a colour. I chose a blue colour and slapped on the colour on a third of the wood. Next Phil gave us all small bowl of white paint which we applied to the middle third. He then gave us a hair dryer and we ran it over the wet paint for around five minutes or so. This made the paint crack.
We then had to choose another colour. So I went for red, as some of the colours seemed to have a French connection, so subconsciously I appeared to have painted the Tricolour.

We then got to use the wax, and rubbing on the dark wax certainly highlighted the cracks and lines in the paint. I also used some sandpaper to give my work of art a bit of distressing to give it an aged look.

On the whole I had a good time, and Gail is now planning to paint all our furniture and anything else that's lying about. Watch out Oscar & Marmalade, as that might include you!

Tuning Into The Red

A really wonderful sky tonight over Beeston as I was cycling home.  By the time I got home, the sky was glowing.

As soon I got home, I rushed upstairs with my camera & took some photos of the multicoloured sky. Of course I took quite a few, as the colours were changing all the time as the sun was setting.

I do like this one with the silhouette of a neighbouring house, with just the chimney pots and TV aerial showing. Ideally, I would have liked a plane to be flying by. But sadly one didn't even though we are on the flightpath for the East Midlands Airport.

Torn From History

Came across this display board the other day that looks like it has been used for years, and posters have been torn off to make room for others.

Most are for gigs, with some adverts for nightclubs with drink offers. I think it makes for an interesting collage and clearly shows how vibrant Nottingham's night life is.

Tunnel Of Love

Just spent an enjoyable day at the Photography Show in Birmingham's NEC.

I caught up with some photographers that I know, and had a very good look round all the stands and stalls.

Ended up buying a new lens for my Olympus camera, and this is one of the first photos that I took with it. It is one of two underpasses that you have to walk through from the car park to the main halls. Generally underpasses are dark, dank, scary places, that people are often frightened to walk through. But the exhibition centre has made an effort to make it a more pleasant experience.

Caribbean Queen

Nottingham city centre came alive with the sounds and colours of the Caribbean yesterday afternoon, as the annual Caribbean Carnival took place. The parade started on Castle Gate and made it's long slow way up to the Forest Recreation Ground, where they site the Goose Fair in October.

There were certainly some varied and very colourful costumes being worn by the participants.

Native American anyone? Or what about some wings that can help you fly.

Not your average outfit to go shopping in. But he'll certainly help you wave you on your way.

Hundreds of people lined the route, and despite a quick rainstorm in the middle of the procession, I think everyone had an enjoyable time. I know me and my camera did.

Market Day

It's been a cracking sunny day today. The best one of the year so far. So I thought I would take a walk to the market in the Old Market Square.

And boy was it packed with people walking up and down and looking at the things on offer. While I was wandering around, I got to thinking about how would the market look from above, with all the coloured tarpaulin roofs and people milling about.

So I called in at the Council House and asked if I could go up to the balcony to take a shot or two. They said yes, so I popped up and took a few photographs.

Seaside Stripes

We are off to Suffolk today for the weekend. Ipswich in fact. We've not been there before.

It wasn't a bad three hour drive down. Mostly on the motorway.

We arrived at the B&B that we were staying at to drop off our luggage. Then we decided to go to the seaside town of Felixstowe, which is about 10 miles away.

I was pleased to see a sandy beach and lots of different coloured beach huts. One had been painted in many different colours, as you can see.

He Packed His Trunk And Said Goodbye To The Circus

A lot of very large and highly decorated elephants have appeared across the city centre this week.

This distinctly British one stands proudly at the entrance of the Broad Marsh shopping centre.

There is also a stall where you can buy smaller versions of these colourful pachyderms.

Will see if I can track some more down while they are in town and shoot them the only way that all animals shoot be shot. With a camera and not a gun.

Lights On The Water

Due to multiple punctures this morning, I had to take the bus to work. So coming back home, I decided to walk along the canal towpath for a while, before catching the bus back to Beeston.

I passed the marina and thought I'd have a go at taking a photo of this well decorated narrowboat. Love the lights reflected in the water, and howe the ripples have broken up the colours.

A Coat Of Many Colours

You know when winter is on its way when the dreaded 'onesie' starts appearing on the high street again.

These multi coloured all in ones are meant to keep you warm, even though you end up looking a bit like an idiot.

I took today's photo in the Old Market Square, where there was yet another market in place seeing various things including food and drink. One of the stalls was selling clothes, including these garish animal onesies.  I guess the pink panther one looks the more sensible, even though you you would look like you're off to a fancy dress party.

I for one will not be buying one. If I do get cold, then I'll pop on a thicker jumper. Of crank up the central heating by a few degrees.

Lighting Up The Night

Gail and I had been invited to a belated birthday party in town, so while I was walking from work to meet her, I saw all these paper lanterns tied to the railings of St Peter's Church.

I also bumped into a photographer friend of ours called Tracey Whitefoot, who was photographing them as well. Tracey explained that they would each contain tea lights, which would be lit when it got dark.

Apparently there would be 100 of these lateens, that had been made out of different coloured paper; possibly wallpaper. Some had little comments on them. I found one of them quite funny - "A well balanced diet is having a cake in each hand"!

Sadly I couldn't wait for the candles to be lit, as I had to go and meet Gail before enjoying the birthday party at a local restaurant.

Somewhere, Over The Rainbows, Way Up High

While we were outside this afternoon chatting with the plasterer, who had been here giving our new studio a new ceiling, we noticed that a rainbow had appeared overhead. Well two actually. Although the other one was a lot fainter.

"Ooh" said Matt the plasterer, "I've never seen a double rainbow before". I think I've only seen a couple before. Although I have seen lots of rainbows down the years. Some seem to last longer than others. This one hung about for about five minutes, before disappearing behind the next batch of black clouds, and yet another downpour of rain.