Spring Has Sprung

Hooray we have some sunshine today! Although still a bit windy. I hope the strong breeze doesn't blow all the cherry blossom off these trees in Highfields, as I think it makes for a very nice picture, complimented by the clumps of daffodils and the first lawn cut of the year.

Joy in Norwich has a similar shot. compare and enjoy.

Full House

This temple is on the border with the city centre and a suburb called St Ann's. Much has been written about this area in the local paper, some good, but mostly bad. The area houses a lot of ethnic minorities; hence the temple. But what I find slightly amusing is that next door is a bingo hall. So I guess when you've finished praying, you can go and try your luck at winning some money.

Golden Days

Here's a late evening shot in Highfields. I'll put my hands up and admit that I've tweaked the light & shadows just a pinch. Just to make it look a little more tranquil.

Quackers!

"A blind man goes into a supermarket with his guide dog. He stops and then picks the dog up by its tail and starts swinging it around and around over his head*. The store manager comes over and shouts "Sir, sir what on earth are you doing?" The blind man turns to him and replies "It's OK, I'm just having a look around!""

* No animals were hurt during the writing of this joke.

Something To Smile About

This truck was in the Market Square recently, promoting a new brand of toothpaste. I queued up to try it, but the line of people wasn't moving at all, so I skipped it and went in search of more photos instead.

I read in our local paper a few days later, that some over zealous traffic warden had slapped a £60 parking ticket on the truck, even though it had written permission from the council to be there. So I did have something to smile about!

Wheel Meet Again

The ferris wheel in the square has now been dismantled and taken away to a new location. It was announced in our local evening paper that it will be returning in time for Christmas.

This is what it looked like when all the cabins had been removed.

Head In The Clouds - Looking North East

Today I'm showing the final shot from my aerial tour of Nottingham's city centre. This one shows the Cornerhouse entertainment & food centre and to the left, part of the Trent University campus. The majority of the houses in the background are rented by students. so they are nice and handy for their lessons. I wonder how many of them still turn up late though!

Head In The Clouds - Looking South East

This view takes in the Hockley and Lace Market areas. The two spires you can see are St Mary's Church (left) and what is now the Pitcher & Piano winebar, but was originally the High Pavement Chapel (right). As I've mentioned before, the actual business of lace production has all but disappeared from the area now. The former warehouses and factories of the once busy area have all been turned into either luxury apartments or offices.

Head In The Clouds - Looking South

Here we see one of the main shopping areas of the city centre, that is the Broad Marsh centre. The pedrestrianised area that leads to it is called Listergate, with Low Pavement to the left. The road at the back of the shot is where the railway station stands (where the clock tower is) and to the left of that is the big glass building that belongs to the credit card company Capital One. Who this week announced 750 job losses at the site, which is almost half the workforce. The jobs they do are to be transfered to a call centre in India Which will cut costs, but annoy customers.

Head In The Clouds - Looking West

A bit further down Maid Marian Way and you come to Friar Lane, which leads to the castle. The building in the foreground is the Pearl Insurance building. Another 1960's drab concrete tower. The Travelodge hotel on the left has only been open about 2 years, and was converted from an empty office block.

I'm off to Shrewsbury again for a few days, so my next posting should be on Friday night.

Head In The Clouds - Looking North West (2)

As we slowly turn round the cityscape, more recent buildings come into view. A lot of these tall structures were put up in the 1960's & 70's when the smaller Granby Street became Maid Marian Way. A loathed piece of road that cut the castle off from the rest of the city. The round building on the right is called the Rotunda and used to be part of the old General Hospital. It now holds a very nice curry house called Eastern Spice.

Head In The Clouds - Looking North West

The main buildings you can see here are the old Co-op department store, which now houses several restaurants and a casino. The building has recently been redeveloped after standing unloved for a few years after the Co-op closed down. This was due to a change in shopping trends and more up to date shops opening.

The big black glass building is known as the IBM building, as the computer company has an office there, although it holds a few others as well. I worked there about 20 years ago for an insurance company, which I don't think exists either.

Head In The Clouds - Looking North

Last Monday I took the plunge and went on the wheel, as it was a sunny day & would probably be my last chance to go on it, as it's closing today. I'm not that brilliant on heights, and I can't say I entirely enjoyed the experience, but it was great to see the city centre from the air.

This view mainly consists of the Victoria Centre flats. You can also see the top of the clock tower, which is all that remains of the old railway station. Another lost building which was destroyed in the late 1960's.

For further photos of Shrewsbury, please follow this -> link

Lion In My Bed All Day

Here's another example of Shrewsbury buildings. The Lion Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in the town. Whilst looking around the area, I realised that the lion motif seemed to be quite prevalent, and I have several examples that I could show you. I may need to start a Shrewsbury CDP site, as this one is supposed to be for Nottingham.

Step Back In Time

Apologies abound to everyone for not visiting many of your theme day blogs yet. It's just that I've been away for work again for the last three days. This time to Shrewsbury; a small market town in Shropshire. It is a lovely little town, full of architectural delights, a charming river and loads of character. In fact a dream for photographers. I took 133 photos whilst I was there, and here's one of them; St Alkmonds Square. A row of old houses, tucked away and so quite peaceful.

3 - 2 - 6

Before my flash of inspiration for yesterday's theme day entry, I was going to use this photo of some canoeists practicing along the canal. It's been really sunny this week, and what a difference to the quality of my photos. No more drab greys, just well lit subjects. Long may it remain.

Tea Time

First of the month and another theme day. The subject is water. So what is the best use of water? Why drinking it of course. But only if it is hot and a teabag has been dunked in it. Milk and sugar are optional. Of course the finished liquid has to be accompanied with a biscuit or two!

A number of other bloggers are participating this month. Please visit and leave a comment. Don't forget the time differences around the planet.

theme day id=14

American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix - Bostonscapes, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, London, UK by Ham, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine,

Hiya Bud

Here's some blossom that's appeared on our dwarf cherry tree. They've just flowered in the last couple of days. Before that it was just a brown trig. We've had the tree a couple of years now, but no cherries have appeared yet.

Blooming Marvellous

Early this morning, the clocks went forward an hour and it is officially the first day of summer. It is living up to its name, as it is warm and sunny and a cloud free sky. Today also marks the second birthday of Nottingham Daily Photo. This is my 306th posting, and it is one of the many plants that are coming out of hibernation in our garden.

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me

George Michael's number one hit from 1991 provides the inspiration for this photo; the sun setting over the university. The water in front is the lake in Highfields, where in the summer people can hire small boats and go rowing around for an hour or so.

Pick A Card

Another nightclub, another advertising campaign to get the punters in. These cards have been pinned onto the door of this club and some care has been taken in lining them up and making them look neat. I don't know how long they've been up, but they've not been damaged at all.

Who Goes There?

A mysterious question mark appeared in the sky for a short time. A secret code for a superhero to don his disguise and save the world? Or a message from the Gods? A cosmic 'knock knock' joke perhaps!

The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe

Should you fancy somewhere different to yesterday's eatery, there's always this one that goes by the unusual name of Opium. I don't know if you get to smoke any whilst eating your meal, but you could always make out you can.

A Bit Of French Nosh

Tucked away in the Lace Market is this small French restaurant. It looks quite authentic, although I have never been in. I don't know if it makes much money, as you can't park outside & not much traffic passes through that way now that the Lace Market doesn't make lace anymore.

Come Fly With Me

So where is everybody planning to go on their next holiday? I know Imac seems to be continuously on holiday. But what about the rest of the DP community? I don't know where this plane is flying to, but Gail & I would love to be on it. It seems that Britain is heading for some serious snow in the next day or so. So it would be nice to fly somewhere warm.

What's Your Sign?

This sign is on the front of a nightclub on Lower Parliament Street. I presume it's called Dance4, but I have no idea what the different signs refer to. Maybe they mean you can find love, have a cup of tea and a chat, and the weather will be stormy. Perhaps you can think of something better?

From Rags To Riches

Vivienne Westwood is synonymous with the punk rock movement of the 1970's. A lot of the clothes that punk rockers wore used to come from her shop in London. The ripped jeans, the T shirt with the Queen on it with a safety pin through her nose. These days she's part of the establishment, after receiving a DBE from the very person she used to lampoon & has various shops around the country. With Nottingham being the newest. Her clothes are just as outrageous and very expensive. More of what she does can be found here.

See Your Name In Mosaic

Before the days of flashing multicoloured neon lights, businesses used to have a more refined way of publicising their trade. We've seen such examples on DP sites before. This company used black & gold mosaic tiles to promote theirs. I've looked on Google, and TN Parr was a pie making company. In 1969 it merged with Pork Farms, who are well known for making pork pies and sausage rolls.

Smart Phone

Here's another Smart Car that is advertising a company. It's a good sized vehicle for promotions, as its small, so not expensive to do, and a good shape, so there's plenty of room for logos etc.

If you owned one, what would put on yours?

How To Hold The Traffic Up With Style

As part of the St Patrick's Day celebrations, a procession went through the city centre. I was just lucky enough to catch the tail end of it. This pony and trap was about the last in the line. I wonder if the girl is on the phone to her dad, and telling him to walk a bit faster?

If The Cap Fits

As most people know, yesterday was St Patrick's Day. The Old Market Square was heaving with people. So much so, that it was difficult to take decent pictures of the various activities that were going on. So I looked for something different & thought this hat in the shape of a shamrock was quite amusing. It also has one of the main attractions of Ireland, namely Guinness.

Everything But The Kitchen Sink

Would you be able to carry your home around with you on a bike? The owner of this bicycle seems to think they can. I don't know what's in the saddlebags, his belongings, or maybe just rubbish. Whatever it is, I'm sure he can't go at a very quick pace.

Someday My Prints Will Come

At the moment, Beeston Library is showing an exhibition from the local camera club. There are some very good photographs to study and get inspiration from. Some of the photos were taken locally, some further afield and abroad. I'm not sure how many were taken with a digital camera, as I believe that camera clubs traditionally prefer to use film.

Red Light Spells Danger

Another photo, another song title. But I think it sums this shot up well, with the traffic light being reflected by the wet road. If you are wondering what QMC stands for, it's the name of one of Nottingham's hospitals; the Queens Medical Centre. And the singer of the song? Seventh person who tells me wins a postcard!

Bus Of Knowledge

A few days ago, Lynn at Cheltenham showed a photo of a bus which was advertising her local university. Well here's Nottingham's version. The lad on the back is promoting travel cards, which can work out very good value if you make lots of journeys.

Arrow Art

Here's the poster inside the castle for the Robin Hood exhibition. It is huge. Imagine how great our blogging pictures would look, if they could be blown up to that size!

Robin's Hood

Yesterday I told you that I had visited the Castle. It was to see the Robin Hood exhibition, which is based around the new BBC series. I've only seen a few of the episodes. On the whole they are quite well done, if not a little fantastic with some of the plots etc. The exhibition is a little dull by comparison. It's ok for youngsters and fans, but I found it a tad uninspiring. There was also not much lighting, so taking pictures was difficult. Today's offering is Robin Hood's costume, as worn by the lead character. I think his tunic makes him look a bit like a 'hoodie'.

Wheel Of Fortune

The Nottingham Eye as its now called is still attracting the punters. I am still pondering whether to go on it or not. Yesterday wasn't very nice, so I had a wander around the Castle. More on that tomorrow. As I was leaving, I got another different view of the main attraction.

Telephone Timewarp

As you can see I've been messing around with Paint again. I've tried to make this 3 mobile shop a little more interesting by using the "twist" option.
Most TV shows and films seem to use this method when people time travel. So watch out, it may happen to you!

Whether the Weather Be Good Or Bad

Today has been a lovely sunny spring day. I have been outside pottering around, tidying up and seeing what plants are forming new leaves. But all this is to change overnight, as the weathermen have reported that Britain is to be battered by very strong winds, rain & maybe snow for the next few days. Apparently the weather is coming from Canada where they have been having really bad snow storms. My cousin, who lives in Toronto, has been sending me photos of his house, which now resembles an igloo!

Bladerunner

Here's the street performer I was watching on Thursday. I took this while he was packing up and all the audience had disbanded after throwing him a few coins. Those knives look real, so it's just as well he's got a washboard stomach, as the hoop doesn't look very wide. I know I wouldn't be able to squeeze my fat belly through it!

The Good, The Bad Or The Ugly?

A street performer was doing his act yesterday, and as he had appeared on my page before, I concentrated on looking at the audience. I thought this guy was interesting. He's dressed a bit like a cowboy. Well an urban one anyway!

The Cars The Star

The owners of the big wheel in the Old Market Square have been given permission for it to remain there for another month. So if I can afford it, and if I can find the courage to go on it I will. In the meantime, I have been trying to find different ways of taking photos of it. So what do you all this of this one? I think it gives some perspective on the size and height of the thing. Do you agree?

As an aside, I have been analysing the number and regularity of visitors I had last month. The top 3 friends are Zakscloset with 19, Marley with 17 and Joy with 12. So I have sent them a Robin Hood seal of approval.

Blow Me Down

Nottingham has experienced some quite strong winds over the last few days. Not hurricane speeds, but strong enough to do a bit of damage here and there, such as in this example of an advertising hoarding that had been blown off its stand.

Stone Me

Whilst on the hunt for suitable graffiti, I came across some stone faces in a neglected part of town. There were several heads, all authors. I took this one of Livingstone, as a sort of joke, as the stone isn't living and it's looking quite vandalised.

Your Carriage Awaits

As it's getting towards springtime, thoughts are turning to weddings, and so last week the Broad Marsh shopping centre had a display of wedding cars supplied by a local company. The star car was an old Rolls Royce, but I was drawn to this little Moggy Minor. I think it would stand out more as it pulled up outside the church.

Banana Splits

Walking past the Council House on Friday, I was drawn to Bananaman and his friends highlighting the importance of shoppers in buying Fairtrade products. By doing this, farmers in faraway countries receive a decent amount of money for their efforts, rather than being exploited by the giant supermarket chains that dominate these days. There were a number of stalls inside, where you could taste food & drink and learn what you can do to make the lives of overseas producers better.

For more information, please visit Fairtrade's very informative website, to learn more about their work and the organisation's objectives.

Physical Graffiti

March the First and it's theme day. Which this month is street art. I'm not sure whether graffiti can be classed as art, or is in fact vandalism. I know sometimes if it is done well, it can enhance a blank building, or as in my example, can just look a mess.

Quite a number of DP's are participating, and their links are below. Please try to visit as many as you can, but take note of varying time zones around the world.

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Baziège, France by PaB, Belgrade, Serbia by BgdPic, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Bucaramanga, Colombia by Fernando, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by U R us, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Cologne, Germany by April11, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Detroit (MI), USA by Taittems, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Jsaltao, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montréal, Canada by Douber, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by MumbaiIteanu, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK by Cassie & Chris, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Radonvilliers, France by Deslilas, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rome, Italy by Giovanni, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation by Lark, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, Santa Fe (NM), USA by Randem, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Terre Haute (IN), USA by Zann, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Wrocław, Poland by Loompi, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

Say Your Piece

Most people from the UK have heard of Speakers' Corner in London. It's where individuals can stand and say their piece about how bad the Government is, or that you can only get tins of pilchards in tomato sauce. Now Nottingham has created its own version for residents to voice their opinions.

It's only been going a few days, and I'm not sure anyone yet has given it a go. I will certainly take some photos of anyone brave enough to stand there and talk to passers by.