"Look, I'm Sure The Castle Is Around Here Somewhere?"

"Yes ladies, it's right behind you!"

I was out for a photography stroll with a workmate at lunchtime today, as he wanted to have a go with my Olympus EM-1, as he is thinking of getting one. He currently uses a Fuji X-10, but he says that he's not happy with it.

So we had spent some time in the Old Market Square, where he took various pictures and had a feel of how the camera feels in his hands. He was quite impressed. We had made our way to the castle area of town, when I saw these two ladies, standing with possibly the biggest map of Nottingham that I've ever seen. I know the city centre is quite big, but I don't think you would need a map that big to see where all the streets and attractions are. It is hardly London or New York.

Fortunately I had been given my camera back by the time we got to the castle, so I was able to capture this scene for today's blog post.

I wonder if they ever found what they were looking for?

Boyhood Reminiscences

When I was younger, I used to collect model cars, just like any other boy. My favourite was Matchbox, as they came in a small yellow and blue card box, that actually looked like a matchbox.  Others brands were Corgi & Dinky.

There was generally 75 models in the series, which were updated every so often with different colours or new vehicles.

I never had this crane in my collection, as it was made before I was born. I picked it up from a stall at Wollaton Park's car show for 50p. If it was mint and boxed, then it would be worth about £50.  Still its nice to have, even though the jib is broken and the paint is a bit chipped. But it's not bad for something that is about 52 years old.

Ahoy There Landlubbers

I thought that one of the Christmas presents that I got this year was quite amusing. This little pirate figure.

No, it's not a Lego figure, but an 8gb USB flash drive. The figure itself is made of rubber. You then pull it's head off and that reveals the USB stick. It looks quite odd, as the figure's arms are still connected to the stick.

I expect it to come in quite useful in the future when I am transferring JPEGS around.

It's All Over Now

Well it's a bit of a sad day today as I say goodbye to the friends that I have made during the time that I have worked for Ofsted; practically the past 11 and a half years.

As with every other part of the Civil Service, there has been many changes going on within the organisation to save money and streamline procedures, and so have recently found myself without a permanent position within the office, and have therefore been encouraged to look for another job elsewhere.

Fortunately the HMRC (the taxman) came across my CV and have offered me a job with them, which I take up next month. So I have two weeks off to rest and to enjoy myself, before starting my new job.

So I have spent the day deleting emails and sorting out my desk. It's surprising how much junk and paperwork one can accumulate, even though I tend to have regular sort outs.

The picture above shows some of the stuff that I have on my desk to make it a little more friendly and a bit like home. One of my co-workers has a lot more than this. In fact she has to have a crate when she moves desks!

Hello Switzerland

Hi folks, Gail & I are in Geneva at the moment for a few days. Naturally I am taking lots of photos, alas the weather isn't very good, overcast & cold. The hotel where we are staying has Internet access, unfortunately I have no way of uploading any of my pictures. So you'll all just have to wait until Thursday!