More 4 x 4s By Far

With petrol at around £1 a gallon. Yes, that's right, a quid a gallon, people can afford to run a Chelsea Tractor or two. And Dubai is full of them. It seems like every other vehicle is either a Landcruiser, Rav 4 or Patrol. Hummers seem popular as well. Here's one I took outside the Burjuman Centre that belongs to a local radio station.

More photos from Dubai on my other page.

Tower Of Song

Another song title introduces today's photo. This time by Leonard Cohen. I expect there will be much singing when the Burj Dubai is finally completed, as it will be the tallest building in the world. It is estimated to be 800 meters tall when it's opened sometime this year. As it's so tall, I had to chop a bit off the top so you could see the base, or footprint which is one of buzzwords of the moment.

Flight Of Fancy

Here's one of the many shots I took during our 30 minute flight over the city. This one shows the Burj again, standing on its own manmade island. Beside it is the Jumeriah Beach hotel, with its distinctive wave shape, and behind them both is the beginnings of the little private islands that make up the development known as 'The World'. Some are still for sale. So if you want to live next door to actors, sports stars and other people with more money than sense, offers please around the £5-18 million mark!

Blue Is The Colour

Here's probably the most famous landmark in Dubai; the Burj Al Arab hotel. They've self rated it as a seven star. It is a bit OTT inside, but looks fantastic from the outside. During the night, it changes colour. Here's its blue period.

Things will change in the near future when the Burj Dubai is finished. It is reported to be the tallest building in the world. I will be showing a photo of it from the air, as we took a helicopter ride over the city today. Expensive, but great fun.

Hello From Dubai

I've been hoping to post a photo everyday since we got here, but the Internet has been a little erratic & it's not always been easy getting a signal, but here's my first post.

This is not me in disguise by the way, but one of the performers at the Festival Village shopping mall, bringing a little light relief to all the shoppers. They are past of the 2008 Shopping Festival, a month long heaven or hell, depending on your point of view of spending money.

We're All Going On A Winter Holiday

Tomorrow, Gail & I head off to Birmingham Airport to catch a flight to Dubai. We can't wait, as we haven't really had a proper holiday since Turkey last May. We unfortunately won't be staying in this hotel; the 5 star Mina A Salam, but something more modest (and cheaper). Hopefully I will still be able to do a daily post. In the mean time there is my Dubai photo page to keep you going.

A Horse With No Name

Here's another photo from Ross on Wye. A nice sunny day. Very rare for this month, and so an opportunity to take a decent photo for a change. I wonder when the sun will pop its head out again?

Skating On The Thin Ice Of Life

A classic Jethro Tull song title introduces todays photo. The Christmas skating rink in the Square finished on Sunday & this week the workmen have spent every day dismantling the rink, changing room & spectator stand. I have no idea how they got rid of the ice. Perhaps they chopped it up into cubes and sold it to all the local pubs and clubs!

The Golden Shot

Not a reference to an old British television game show of the 1970's, but my snap of the sun going down over the Forest of Dean. I think I've been very lucky with this shot, as I took it quickly whilst I was waiting at the traffic lights. No time for composing, as I had one eye on the red light.

No Pulling The Wool Over His Eyes

Today has seen the arrival of the first farmer's market of the year. To inform people about buying good, locally grown food, rather than the stuff that has been transported hundreds of miles in a refrigerated truck, a kiosk had been set up. And to help publicise this, a pen of some sheep were on display. I don't know what the breeds were, but they weren't the usual sort you find in fields.

Signs Of Future Past

Back in the 'good old days' before television, advertising signs used to be colourful and made of tin. You used to see them everywhere screwed to shop walls etc. Whenever they're seen, people feel a certain nostalgia for those more simpler times. This owner of this Ross on Wye seems to share this view, from the number of signs displayed on the front of his store.

Water, Water Everywhere

I have just come back from an overnight visit to Ross on Wye in Herefordshire. The drive down was really awful, as it rained all the way there & the spray from the motorway meant that I was driving through a car wash. Fortunately it had stopped by the time I arrived at the little tourist town. I had a wander around taking photos of anything & everything. I took a walk to the River Wye, and as you can see it is flooding the immediate area. Lynn from Cheltenham DP has been detailing what effects the flooding is having on the nearby county of Gloucestershire.

Show's Over

The other day, Marley on the Cheltenham site showed an empty disused Odeon cinema. So here's Nottingham's version. It shut several years ago, with the introduction of a Multiplex called Showcase. There were plans to build a hotel on the site, but they have been withdrawn. The Beatles too played there in 1964 and mile long queues formed in 1977 when Star Wars arrived.

Hotel Hell

Here's Nottingham's latest hotel. And isn't awful? I have no idea why they've made the top look like a Portakabin. It's certainly not in keeping with the rest of the area, which borders the Lace Market. It's another example of bad, sloppy architecture. See Jackie's Glasgow page, for an example of what architecture could and should be like.

A Bookworm's Heaven

On Friday, Nottingham's main library held a massive book sale. There were thousands of books of all kinds for sale. All between 50p & 80p, with 3 novels for £1. They were also selling of a large quantity of classical vinyl records (remember them?) for 50p each and a few CD's at a pound a piece. It was packed with people picking over the goods on offer. I was there for over an hour & ended up buying 1 book, 2 LPs & 2CDs.

No Skidding!

Yesterday was another awful day, full of rain and cold winds. The ice rink was deserted, as people either stayed in their offices, or just popped to the shops. So this guy on his ice smoothing machine had the whole of the rink to himself. I don't know if he was actually working, or just doing something to pass the boredom.

Under My Umbrella, Ella Ella

The recent number one song from Rihanna, instantly sprang to mind when I saw this couple in the rain looking at the new water feature in the Market Square. There was nearly as much water falling from the sky yesterday as flowing from the fountain.

Please can we have some decent weather.

Hotline To Love

Hey girls, how would you like this pink telephone in your boudoir? With your boyfriend or husband calling to say how much he loves you!

Well he can go and buy you one from the Tokenhouse, a card and gift shop on Bridalsmithgate, who are promoting Valentine's Day a little early.

Snow Joke!

When I went to lock up last night, I was surprised to find that we had a small flurry of snow. Not wanting to miss a photo opportunity, I grabbed my camera & took a few shots. Especially as Nottingham had missed out on the snowfall at the beginning of the year.

The Watcher Of The Sea

Worn away by the salty sea air, this wooden reminder of an earlier time stands and watches the tide ebb and flow. Dogs and small children run around its base, and the odd seagull will perch on its head. How many more years will it look out to sea?

Knock Knock, Who's There?

I spotted this rather ornate and charming door knocker on one of the small cottages that we walked by in Rye. I think she must be a mermaid, and the scallop knocker finishes it off just right.

The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of Cobbles

Here's a shot of one of the many streets in Rye that are cobbled. They make a nice change from the usual black Tarmac, although they can be a bit rough to walk on. Rye is quite hilly in places, and is full of these little lanes.

Back In Time

I've not been very lucky at all with my photography this week, as I haven't managed to find anything interesting or new to take. Also the days have been that dull and overcast that everything looks so bland. The ice rink in the Square should be taken away shortly, so there will some more action going on.

So to give you all something to look at, here's a photo from Rye, which is a very old town on the Sussex coast. We went there in August to see some old friends of mine. I had not been before & was surprised how picturesque it is. There are so many photogenic buildings, cobbled streets and the River Rother. A shame there isn't a daily photo site from there, as it's quite an inspiring place.

Keep That Frequency Clear

Here is a road sign on University Boulevard that is promoting all the local radio stations and where you can ring up for information about the state of the roads. There are a few of them dotted around, and I suppose provide a useful service to drivers that are new to the area, or just passing through.

Spend, Spend, Spend

The January sales are in full swing now & people are taking advantage of the savings to be found on almost everything. The shops are full of bargain hunters, as this scene in the Victoria Centre illustrates.

It's always seemed strange to me that you can buy something on Christmas Eve for say £5, only for it to be worth 99p a day or two later. Perhaps people ought to buy all their Christmas presents after Christmas, and in that way they'd save a fortune.

Five Swans A Swimming

Cycling home from work on Monday night, I passed this family of swans out for an evening's jaunt along the canal. So of course I had to stop and take some shots. Don't worry, they were photographic and not lead.

Picture Of The Year 2007

The new year has finally arrived and so I'd like to wish all my visitors and fellow bloggers a happy and healthy 2008.

For my photo of the year, I like to show you this one again which appeared on Nov 27. I know I said that I don't like taking photos of people, but I was quite pleased how this one turned out and certainly works better in black & white. Ideally the background wouldn't be so cluttered. But all in all I'm happy with it and might try taking more pictures of people this year.

One of the problems photographers face in England these days is that they are viewed as either deviants or terrorists. Taking photos of children is more or less deemed illegal and in London especially, the Police often stop and question people that are taking pictures of famous buildings, just in case it's the next target for a bomb. Other countries are more relaxed, and we've seen some excellent photos last year from other DP sites that display humanity in all its forms. And long may it continue.

To see examples of their best work, please visit their sites through the links below:
Paris, France - London, England - Hyde, UK - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Grenoble, France - Stockholm, Sweden - Riga, Latvia - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Manila, Philippines - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Weston (FL), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - New Orleans (LA), USA - Wichita (KS), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - San Francisco (CA), USA - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Greenville (SC), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Mainz, Germany - Melbourne, Australia - Portland (OR), USA - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Toulouse, France - Naples (FL), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Brussels, Belgium - Stayton (OR), USA - Selma (AL), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Toruń, Poland - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Baziège, France - Nashville (TN), USA - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Chicago (IL), USA - Prescott (AZ), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Moscow, Russia - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Evry, France - Trujillo, Peru - Arlington (VA), USA - Denpasar, Indonesia - American Fork (UT), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Chandler (AZ), USA - Coral Gables (FL), USA - Montpellier, France - Joplin (MO), USA - Pilisvörösvár, Hungary - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Boston (MA), USA - Torun, Poland - New York City (NY), USA - Dunedin (FL), USA - Quincy (MA), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Chateaubriant, France - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Jackson (MS), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Budapest, Hungary - Austin (TX), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - Cypress (TX), USA - Bicheno, Australia - Wrocław, Poland - Brookville (OH), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - Cheltenham, UK - Wellington, New Zealand - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Mumbai (Maharashtra), India - London, UK - Haninge, Sweden - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Arradon, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Orlando (FL), USA - Mumbai, India - Terrell (TX), USA - Bogor, Indonesia - Delta (CO), USA - Radonvilliers, France - Saigon, Vietnam - San Diego (CA), USA - Adelaide (SA), Australia - Belgrade, Serbia - Auckland, New Zealand - Seguin (TX), USA - Inverness (IL), USA - Oslo, Norway - Singapore, Singapore - Las Vegas (NV), USA - New York City (NY), USA

Countdown To Picture Of The Year - 2

Greens Windmill in Sneinton appeared on May 5th. I remember taking a few disappointing shots when it was overcast. But as I was leaving the park, the sun came out, so I returned and took some more. I like windmills and lighthouses, but as I live about 60 miles from the nearest coast, I'm unlikely to see one in the middle of the big city. Mind you, that could be said of windmills. But as you can see, Nottingham has one!

Countdown To Picture Of The Year - 3

For various reasons I tend not to take too many pictures of people in public. But I quite like the expression on this guy who's pretending to be one of Robin Hood's merry men, which first appeared on August 14th. He's looking a bit mean & moody, and somewhat like he's up to no good.

What do you think?

Countdown To Picture Of The Year - 4

After viewing the 300 odd photos I've published this year, I've managed to whittle it down to 4. Although there were many 'almost made its'. The selection has been difficult, as I've taken a wide range of subjects in a range of styles. Looking back at them, I've thought I could have taken this a bit better; or more closer, or waited for that illusive decisive moment. But like anything, practice makes perfect as they say. So I aim to take even better ones during 2008.

So my first photo appeared back on Jan 21. I quite enjoy taking reflective pictures and this one of a Victorian street lamp, I think is simple, but effective. To improve it, I should have removed the distracting leaves.

Gis a Job!

Now that Santa has done the rounds for another year, he is effectively out of work. So to make ends meet, he's got a job advertising a local tattoo parlour. I spotted him grabbing a quick jacket potato, before trudging the streets of the city once again.

Can Dogs Read?

The final photo from Switzerland is of this mosaic picture in the pavement. I spotted quite a few across Genevan streets. Not understanding French, I had no idea what it was saying. Typing it into a translation website, it seemed to say 'don't let your dog poo on the pavement'. Seems a much more effective message than the little signs on lampposts that we get here and which nobody takes any notice of. These pictures are quite decorative too.

He's Just A Poor Boy, From A Poor Family

This line from one of the most best loved songs probably gives it away of my featured rock star. It is of course Freddie Mercury, lead singer with legendary band Queen.

Queen first came to Montreux in 1978 to record their album 'Jazz'. Freddie fell in love with the area and bought a house there. It's also where he died in November 1991.

The statue of Freddie overlooks Lake Geneva and was made by Irena Sedlecka. It was unveiled in 1996 by close friends and family.

If you didn't know, the line is from Bohemian Rhapsody, and was the British Christmas number one single in 1975.

Keep on rockin Freddie, wherever you are.

By The White Of The Shiny Mountain

Another town that we visited was Montreux. Which is probably most famous as a subject for the Deep Purple song; "Smoke on the Water". Which tells the story of a hotel that caught fire, which they were going to do a concert in. It's also well known for it's annual jazz festival. Here are two views of the Montreux Palace Hotel, which looks a very nice, but very expensive place to stay.

There's Snow In Them There Hills

On Monday, we decided to go exploring by bus. One of the few cheap things in Geneva is public transport. In fact it appears to cost nothing to ride on a bus. We had some free passes from our hotel, but the locals just seemed to hop on and off without paying the driver. Vernier was one of the places we visited. It seemed a strange place, as it appeared to be a new community, built on a hill, but nothing there of interest. After taking some photos, we boarded the next bus and returned to Geneva.

Sign of the Times

Here's a typical Swiss road sign. A mixture of typefaces and style of signage. We passed through Lausanne when we spent the day in Montreux. Sunny pictures from this lakeside town to follow over the next few days.

Raising the Standard

Here's one of the many narrow & quaint streets in the old part of Geneva. There are some interesting examples of architecture and I would have liked to have spent longer investigating, but Gail was getting cold & her feet were aching, so we stopped off at a small cafe for a drink & a bite to eat.

Whizzed Over Land from Switzerland.

I'm back from my little jaunt with my darling Gail to Switzerland. I was a bit disheartened to find that the weather was just the same in Geneva as we had left it in England; cold, windy & dull. Never mind, we had a great time & of course I took lots of photos. Some of which I'll be showing you over the next few days. This will give me time to get some new pictures from Nottingham.

The first shot is of the old town next to the lake, with mist and snow covered mountains watching over things.

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!

Turkey Shoot

I know I promised no more Christmas pictures, but I had to show you this window scene, which can be filed under comedy.

It reminds me of the old films from the 1920's & 30's where someone who is being chased would put a shade on their head and pretend to be a lamp.

Study By Night

Here's a photo of the Portland Building of Nottingham University. Not one of my best, due to a bit of camera shake. I had left my trusty Gorillapod at home. But it still gives a good impression of what the building is like in the darkness.

Ooops!

Somehow, this Belicia Beacon at a zebra crossing on Queen Street has been pushed over. I have no idea if it was through poor driving or drunken antics. These three workmen look a bit puzzled too.

Here Comes The Sun

Although people are busy now writing cards & wrapping presents, their minds are also on holidays. The new brochures should be hitting the travel agents' shelves very shortly. Gail & I have already booked our first one. We're off to Dubai again at the end of January for two weeks.

So to remind everyone across the world that doesn't get sunny days anymore, here's a photo of a Dubaian hotel being kissed by the warm sunlight. And if you want to see more photos of Dubai I have my Dubai photo blog. There was also Bluey's fantastic Dubai Daily Photo page, which unfortunately ceased a few months ago.

Pull The Udder One!

It always pays to carry a camera, as I took this last night, quite by chance. Why this bar on St James' Street had a life sized model of a cow on show I have no idea. It wasn't even called The Cow.

Anyway it reminds me of an old and rather corny joke about a horse going into a pub and asking for a pint of beer. The barman pulls the beer and says to the horse, that'll be £3.50 please. While the horse is counting out some coins, the barman says that they don't serve that many horses. The horse looks the barman straight in the eye and says, "I'm not surprised at three fifty a pint"!

Our Robin

Here's a picture of Robin Hood and his merry men, which is on the inside of the Council House dome. There are all sorts of stories about whether he was a real character or not, and in fact whether he came from Yorkshire, rather than from Nottingham at all.

Sherwood Forest does exist and is now bidding for £50 million of lottery money to be spent on a new visitors centre (a weird design) and lots of new trees. Other bids include the Eden project in Cornwall and a national plan to improve the countries' cycle tracks.

Governing By Night

Hi everyone I'm back from my jaunt down south.

I have been to Luton for a couple of days for work. Naturally I took my camera and snapped away in my spare time. Although it's supposed to be Nottingham Daily Photo, I have to show you Luton's town hall at night. It's a typical Victorian building with high ceilings and marble floors. The clock works and 'dongs' every 15 minutes. I have to go back next week & will ask if I can go up the tower.

Moonlight Shadow

Mike Oldfield's hit song from 1983, gave me inspiration for this shot. The moon casting its glow onto a passing cloud.

I won't be around for a couple of days, as I'm away down south on business. Please don't forget me, and pop back on Thursday.

The Bridge To Nowhere

It's the First of the month and it's theme day, the topic being bridges.

This photo shows all that is left of the viaduct that carried trains along the London, Midland, Scottish line. which closed during the Beeching cuts of the 1960's. The rest has been knocked down over years, as new structures appear across the city. This is likely to be demolished in the next year or so. I have also shown you other parts of this area, which is known as Narrow Marsh a few weeks ago.

Here are the links to the other sites that are participating:
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