Purrfect

Spotted this little sign at the market that took place today in the Old Market Square.

Gail and I have double love, as many of you know we have two cats called Oscar & Marmalade. I think they love us as much as we love them. Well they certainly love us when it's feeding time, as Oscar tends to sidle up to us and wrap himself round our legs, while Marmalade just sits down and stares up at me until I follow him into the kitchen.

Sunk

Over the weekend I was reading about some people who had been boating on Highfields' lake and got stuck in the mud at one end of the lake.

Apparently they didn't see the warning sign that is close to where the mudbank starts. So I thought I would have a look at this sign and work out why the boaters didn't see it.

Here's the said sign, and it's not surprising the people got into trouble, as you can't even properly read what the sign says, let alone the small size of it. It doesn't even look like a proper sign, just maybe something that has been thrown in the water.

No doubt the council will now replace the sign with a new, bigger and easier to read one. But surely this is something that should have been done a long time ago.

Banned

Well if you own a car, a caravan or a tent, you'll not be welcome at Hoveringham Pastures. Mind you, with it being a lovely open space with trees and a river running close by, then you wouldn't want the area spoilt either.

The Signs Are Good

Although not described as a tourist attraction, something new has appeared in the grounds of Nottingham University.

In the style of the famous 'HOLLYWOOD' sign; students at the university have created 'NOTTINGHAM' and includes lots of photos in the letters that make up the name.

Each letter is about six foot high, and they have been placed on the top of a hill, so it can be well seen from different parts of the area.

No Stopping

Walking into Hockley and the Lace Market, I heard the sound of a piano playing. I thought it was too loud to be a record, or something on the radio.

I was right, as I turned a corner, I saw this guy sitting at a very battered piano playing a classical tune I knew, but couldn't remember the name of.

I stood and watched for a while. He must have sensed my presence and turned round, just at the right moment, as I was pressing my camera's shutter button.

I wonder if after reading the sign from the council, he is still sitting there and tinkling the ivories!

Passing Strangers

One of the so-called rules of photography is that you're not meant to shoot into the sun, but rules are meant to be broken, especially those that are to do with photography.

The sun was very bright when I shot this at lunchtime, and I like the way that it has made the road shimmer, like it was wet with rain.

Yes, I've tweaked it a bit in Lightroom, but only to enhance the silhouettes and to turn it to monochrome.

I'm intrigued as to why the person is walking in the road, especially with some cars that are heading towards them.

Love Is Sweet

Another shot from yesterday's wedding.

I really liked this idea of a 'pick n mix' sweetie corner. There were quite a few different sweets on offer. I had a couple of marshmallows, some liquorice allsorts and the very moreish Ferrero Rocher chocolates. Yum yum.

Sign Of The Times

This is possibly the biggest sign that I have ever seen. It went up earlier this week in the town where I live.

As I have written before, Beeston is presently undergoing some extensive construction work to build a new tramline. This has caused a lot of controversy, as many people think it is a waste of money. Especially as it is costing an enormous amount, some £570 million. Others have lost their homes, many, many trees have been cut down, and the shopkeepers on Chilwell High Road are worried about their livelihoods, as footfall along there has dropped off as the road has been cut off from traffic whilst it is being dug up.

Fortunately these shopkeepers are getting some compensation. Whether or not it is enough remains to be seen, especially as the road is remaining closed for probably another year.

So back to this giant sign. It has been fixed to the side of the former fire station, and the idea is that anyone seeing the sign (and who can miss it) will instantly head off in either direction and spend their money.

I hope it does have the desired effect, but I fear that many people are now starting to avoid the town, as I think there are less people about on a Saturday morning when I go shopping.

As you can probably gather, I'm not a fan of the idea and campaigned against it some years ago, but sadly to no avail.So we'll just have to see if it ends up a success or not.