Another Belly Filling Time

As some of my long time followers will know, tomorrow is my birthday and wedding anniversary. 49 and 6, if you were wondering. And that way round too, otherwise it would be mathematically impossible for either of us!

For a treat, we went to Jamie's Italian, which opened about six or seven months ago. The meal was free too, as at Christmas I won a raffle that was organised by the Paul Smith shops to raise money for the local Maggie's hospital, and one of the prizes was a meal at Jamie Oliver's restaurant.

Unfortunately Jamie wasn't in charge of the stove, but the chef they had employed did a lovely job of cooking the food that was on the menu. The restaurant was busy, and everyone was having a good time and tucking into their plates. The Liverpudlian waiter (Chris) we had serving us was very good. Just as a waiter should be. Attentive, but not imposing. He fully deserved the tip I gave him.

I would just like take this opportunity to wish my darling wife a happy anniversary and a big thank you for six wonderful years, full of up's and downs, good times and bad. And also for putting up with my blogging, which I know you see as a bit of an obsession. Mind you, I've had to put up with your handbags and cosmetics. So it works both ways!

Food Time Again

Lunchtime food treat today with a couple of ladies from the office. We went to a new place that recently opened called Brown's. I mentioned on this blog a few weeks ago that some builders were converting an empty Victorian building into a new restaurant. Well today I sampled the result. I missed the actual opening, as I was away in Rye. So it has been a little while coming.

I'd also heard a few negative reviews from some co-workers who had been there before, who had said that the food wasn't very good or wasn't cooked properly. So I was a bit apprehensive in one respect, but was looking forward to seeing the inside, as I heard lots of favourable reports about the decor.

Well I can happily say that both my lunch and the surroundings were both delicious. I had some kiln smoked salmon pate on toast with some watercress, and for pudding I opted for a bowl of fruit with Greek yoghurt and a drizzle of honey. My compatriots had the same. Here's a photo of what a part of the brasserie looks like. I think it will be a favourite haunt of ours from now on. In fact we have already arranged a lunch next month already.

Springing Into Action

Well, what a scorcher today. I couldn't believe how warm and sunny it was. And we're still in February. I wondered whether to go out without my coat at lunchtime. But decided to stay safe, and keep it on, but go without my jumper instead. There were quite a few people out in shirtsleeves etc. I don't know how long it will last though.

My walk today took me to the lace market area. And while I was walking through the grounds of St Mary's Church, I stumbled upon, to misquote Wordsworth, a host of golden crocuses. And a few purple ones too. So I just had to take a few photos from different angles, and trying not to tread on the soil or nearby gravestone.

I hope the good weather continues for as long as possible. Although the doom-mungers are worried about a drought this summer. Just hope it doesn't hit ice cream and real ale production.

Blue Is The Colour

The cold weather must have got to Tom this week, as he has chosen 'blue' as the theme for this week's Headbanger Challenge.
Ah, I thought, a deceptively simple topic to interpret. But one that has many pitfalls. Will a photo of the sky or sea seem somewhat of a cliche? But then I'm happy to go with the flow. Of course I tried to but a bit of creative spin on it, and so I was going to use this photo of one of my shirts drying on the washing line in the sun. Yes, the sun. It actually paid us all a visit. And on a Sunday too! Whatever next? It might actually decide to stay for more than one day and the temperature might actually rise a bit, so I can put my scarf away.

But then today I was walking close to the Theatre Royal and I saw this classic car from the 1960s. A Volvo P1800, in blue no less. Many people will remember Roger Moore driving one when he played the Saint on TV. His of course was in white. So I've decided to go with this one, as I was just fated to see it. When I'm walking around town in my lunch hour, I have no set plan, other than firstly going to the Old Market Square; to see if there is anything going off there. Then it's just where my feet decide to take me. Sometimes I see something, sometimes I don't. On this occasion, and like yesterday, I did.

To see what the other members of the team have come up with, do pop over to their pages and have a look and possibly leave a message. Also enjoy this piece of music by Blue Rodeo and shot in glorious black and white.

Doing The Hustle

I came across a camera crew at lunchtime doing some filming at a cafe near The Cornerhouse. Of course I asked what it was all about. Aparently it's students from the National Film School and they are making a short film about this young girl who scams people by making out that she has received some dreadful news and has no money to go to see them. So people in the cafe have a whip round and she collects the money and makes her escape.

When I was there, they were filming a chap lighting a cigarette standing outside the cafe, whilst the girl is sitting in the window. Not very exciting, but I'm sure it means something to the film makers.

Les Wagon De Transport

I bought this die cast model van from the good old pound shop, for, yes you guessed it a quid. It's quite big too. Made for collectors, rather than for grubby little boys to roll around in the soil with. There were a couple of other vehicles in this Michelin collection, and I bought a black Peugeor 202 as well. I'm not sure how many there are in the set. But I am happy with just the two. Apparently they were made for a part-work of some kind. Probably in France, so might be quite rare in this country. Shame the magazine wasn't attached.

A Whoosh Of Colour

Although it was quite sunny yesterday afternoon, it was also very windy. We have one of those child's windmill toys in the garden and it was whirling round that fast, that I'm sure it could have produced electricity if it was wired up to the National Grid!

Anyway, I saw a photo opportunity, as all the colours were merging into one, so I fired off a few shots. I think this was the most successful. I took it with the 50mm lens. For the technically minded amongst you, it was taken at f/18 at 1/30th second

House With A History

This is Newdigate House on Castle Gate. It was built in the late 17th century and is presently a very posh restaurant called World Service. But in the 1700's it was used as a prison. The prisoner was a Marshal Tallard who was defeated during one of the many wars with the French. He was housed there and became a model prisoner. He is best remembered for introducing celery into the country and teaching people how to grow roses.

Smokin!

There was quite a bit of activity in the Old Market Square and surrounding area today. There was a truck promoting swimming and swimwear; the monthly farmers market, where I bought a bottle of locally brewed real ale; local news reporters outside the Council House, and a stall advertising the dangers to health of smoking indoors. Besides trying a cigarette at 14, I've never bothered smoking the demon weed. Can't see the point in it, besides being a waste of money of course. So I didn't really stop to have a look at what was being promoted. But something did make me stop and look twice. I'd noticed this man standing behind a display board in the shape of a house, with a rather gloomy face painted on it. He was just standing in about the right spot so it looks like he has a giant yellow head. Ideally he would be in brighter clothes. But it still makes for a comic scene.

Oscar Sandwich

Oscar made Gail and I laugh last night. He was settled on a chair that we have near our computers that the cats like to sit in, so we can keep them company. Although inevitably they always fall asleep. Anyway Oscar was sprawled out on an old cushion as usual snoozing, when the cushion behind fell on top of him. And he never bothered moving. He just laid there between the two little pillows like a furry sandwich. Gail got out her iPhone and took a few shots. I then decided to join in the fun and got my little GF1 out with its 20mm pancake lens, and just snapped away. Oscar just laid there lapping up the attention. After a few minutes, he yawned a couple of times and then decided that he'd had enough, and like in this week's Headbanger photo, got up and flounced off looking for some food.

Poo Poo

It's my turn this week to get the headbanging team to test out their photographic theme for the weekly challenge. I've gone for 'Let's Get Out of Here'. I'm not sure if it is a song title, but other than that I'm not quite sure where the idea came from.

My photo shows Oscar high tailing it out of the range of my Nikon as I was shooting his antics in the garden earlier this month. He's a very photogenic kitty and doesn't mind me taking his photo even in some of his most oddest of poses. Remember him hiding under the carpet from a couple of weeks back?

But even the most professional of models know when they have had enough and often flounce off the set or from the studio. Looks like Oscar maybe joining the ranks of Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.

Do please pop along and see how the other musketeers have interpreted my idea, and enjoy this feline song.

Today's photo is the complete antithesis of beauty, namely in the form of dog muck. The City Council have just put up a series of posters highlighting the amount of money it costs to keep the streets clean of graffiti, litter etc. This is fair enough, but this particular poster has come in for a bit of criticism for its unpleasantness and how it might affect tourism. Treading in the stuff though might just have the same effect.

For Gail..

Is It Art?

Walking around the city centre looking at all the things that had been lit up, I came across this strange installation. There was some light showing from behind a screen, but it didn't seem that exciting to look at. No flashing lights, sounds or smoke. Just then a man in overalls arrived and I realised that it wasn't a work of art at all, but the staff entrance doors which belonged to a clothes store around the corner were being painted! Stupid or what? Still turning it into black and white makes into a work of art of sorts. Today marks my 2000th blog post. Phew. The end of March will also see Nottingham Daily Photo's 6th birthday!

The Lensman At Work

Here's my Nikon brother, Stewart, taking aim with his camera at some cloud shapes in the sky. I couldn't resist in taking this photo, as I was amused at how he is holding his camera. Anyone would think it was a simple point and shoot, rather than a professional DSLR!

Please pop over to his blog "Photo's from the Mind's Eye" as he is presently showing some photos of his trip to Nottingham, the Light Night event and being in the company of Gail and I. You may also like to look at some of his older entries, as he has a great site, full of shots from his many holidays abroad, local flora and fauna and some artistic creations he has when so taken.

Sundowner

Stewart and his DW popped round to our house this afternoon for a cup of tea and a chat. Whilst Gail and Julie stayed in and had a good old girlie chat, himself and I went for a walk along the local canal. With our cameras of course. The Nikon Brothers strike again!

Stewart was quite focussed on the steam coming out of the chimneys from the power station, and took quite a lot of shots. So expect to see one or two photos on his super blog later this week.

Amongst the photos that I took, here is one of the sun setting over the water and a canal boat owner looking on as the golden ball disappears from the sky for another twelve hours.

Robin And His Not So Merry Men

Tonight was the yearly extravaganza in Nottingham that is called Light Night. This year Stewart (iMac) and his wife Julie popped up from Grantham for the weekend. Besides coming to see us and the show, they were planning to see his son who lives here and is in a local band called Red Shoe Diaries who were playing at the Contemporary.

Light Night this year seemed a little subdued. I don't know if it was due to the financial restrictions that are still around, or the very, very cold weather. It was around minus 3 last night, and didn't everyone know it as scarves, hats, thick coats and gloves were abound.

We met up in the Old Market Square, as everyone does and then went for some food at a local hostelry before seeing what was on offer. Some artists were trying to project shapes and films onto the front of the Council House, but seem to be having a lot of trouble lining up the projector with the building. The visit to the castle was a bit more successful, as there were a couple of illuminated Daleks and a Tardis on show next to the statue of Robin Hood. They were drawing quite a crowd. Which just goes to show how popular Doctor Who is with everyone. Here are the Daleks looking menacing and waiting to exterminate Robin Hood. Maybe the Doctor will pop out of his ship and save our favourite outlaw.

I Want My Mummy

As I mentioned yesterday, I visited the Kelvingrove museum and art gallery primarily to see the AC/DC exhibition. But of course I had a good look round the many exhibits on show. And I was quite amazed that there was so much to look at. Apparently they have 8000 exhibits available. They even had a real Spitfire hanging from the ceiling. And the best part is that it is completely free to go in. Which is how all such buildings should be.

As you may remember, I posted a photo of a mummy last week as my Headbanger Challenge entry. Well here's a real one on display in their Egyptian corner. It is that of a female called Ankhesnefer, who died 2,500 years ago in Thebes. According to X rays, she was middle age when she died, but not of natural causes.

For Those Who Rock We Salute You

A warm welcome back to Dave this week after his education sabbatical for the last few weeks. He's picked the theme for this week too - garden birds.

Now being extremely cold and with snow around, I've not seen that many of our feathered friends in our garden at the moment. Although we don't get that many these days anyway, mostly pigeons, magpies and sparrows. Although the number of sparrows has declined over the last few years. We have a hedge that was once teeming with sparrows, now it's virtually silent. So nothing really exciting to show you and a photo that might earn me the gold. So I was doing a bit of blue sky thinking, which was quite apt considering the subject, and thought that depending on where ones garden was would dictate what birds visited it. So looking through my photo archive I came across this super seagull who lives in Monte Carlo. I bet he's visited quite a few gardens in Monaco in search of some tasty snacks.

I do love the sound of seagulls, and when I hear their call I am instantly transported to the seaside. Sunny days sitting on the beach and eating an ice cream. A 99 of course, with an extra Flake. I have seen a few seagulls over at my local park, even though the sea is some 70 miles away from here. But they have travelled further in-land over the years in that constant search for food and a more varied diet than chips.

Don't forget to visit the rest of the gangs' pages to see what feathered friend they have decided to show you and enjoy this groovy tune from the late 1960s.

Music is also the subject of today's blog post. Whilst in Glasgow I read that there was a special exhibition of AC/DC memorabilia on at a local museum. The only location in the UK that would be showing it. So of course being a rocker at heart I just had to go. Gail was getting her nails done ready for the wedding, so I was able to go on my own and soak up the rocking atmosphere. There was plenty of artefacts on show including clothing, album covers, tour posters etc. Of course there was a poster up saying 'no photography', and of course I ignored it and took a few on the sly. Here's one of them, a gigantic 100 Dollar bill with Angus Young's grinning face. Angus of course was born in Glasgow and founder of the hard rockin band.

Tuesday Tidy-up

Here is my gold winning photo from last Wednesday's Headbanger Challenge. The theme was 'simply light' and picked by Stewart.

Do pop back tomorrow to see the entries for the new theme of 'garden birds', courtesy of Dave.

On The Rocks

Although Scotland is famed for getting a lot of snow each year, Glasgow completely missed out on the fall that the rest of the UK had experienced over the weekend. Sure it was cold. But nothing too harsh to stop us walking around the city. We left last night and flew back to the East Midlands Airport. No problems with the landing, retrieving our cases etc and by 9pm we were back home, saying hello to Marmalade and Oscar and tucking into a big bowl of porridge each, as we were both quite hungry and wanted something warm and filling.

We bought some miniature bottles of liquor at Glasgow Airport's duty free shop. Gail wanted to try some Indian gin with Russian tonic water, as her sister had said how nice it was. They had a big bottle on sale for £16. But it was a bit too much to shell out on something that neither of us might like. But I spotted some sample bottles on offer at three for two. So we made a selection before boarding the plane.

So this morning we got our first proper look in the daylight at the amount of snow that had fallen over the last few days. I then had the idea of taking a photo of the miniature bottles of booze sitting in the snow, cooling down ready to drink. Cheers!

The Old And The New

Today we went for a stroll along the River Clyde. Once famous as a shipbuilding area, where the QE2 and the Royal Yacht Britannia were built. Alas that has all gone now. Instead new buildings are springing up and the area is being publicised for recreation and entertainment. There are still remnants of the former industry dotted about, like this giant crane that was built in the 1930s. There is another one further down the river called the Titan that has opened as a tourist attraction. Where you can climb 150 feet up to the top and look across the city. Alas we didn't have time to go and see it. Maybe on our next visit.

The other shape you can see is the Clyde Arc Bridge, that was opened six years ago. I think there's quite a good juxtaposition between the old and the new and straight lines and curves. Both feats of engineering and both parts of the history of the river.

Wedding Bells

The wedding was taking place at the House for an Art Lover, a few miles from Glasgow. An art nouveau masterpiece that just yells Charles Rennie Mackintosh. We were really looking forward to the wedding in such an amazing venue, and I was hoping to get some great shots of the house etc, besides the bride and groom. Unfortunately it was tipping it down with rain, so this made going outside almost impossible. Especially as I was in my finery and under strict instructions to be on my best behaviour. So possibly getting my clothes dirty was not an option.

The wedding itself went very well, with no hitches or problems. Most of the men were in kilts. Gail teased me about wanting me to be in one. Maybe I should have, as some of the tartans I saw didn't look too bad. Not sure about a sporran though. Not really big enough to hold a camera! The bride of course looked great. I've not met either the bride or groom before. But they were lovely and very friendly.

We had a nice meal in the main room, then there was some dancing and merriment in the cafe area downstairs. I was surprised how big the space was, as there must have been about 80 of us altogether. I had a couple of pints of Scottish real ale, which was very tasty. I must see if I buy some here. I had a couple of dances with Gail. Although my dancing skills are about nil. Still she put up with it, and I didn't tread on her toes once!

We left at around midnight, after a roaring rendition of Auld Lang Syne. Which I thought was a bit strange, as it wasn't January the first. Here is a shot of the top of the wedding cake, and some very stylised renditions of the bride and groom.

Glasglow

It was a very dark and cold journey that Gail and I made this morning to the East Midlands Airport. We left home at a ridiculous hour and at minus 6*c to catch an early flight to Glasgow, as we are attending the wedding of one of Gails' nephews. We had thought about driving there, but it would take all day. And with the high price of fuel that it is at the moment, flying was a viable option. Also of course this meant more time to spend in Scotland's cultural capital.

Here is a shot of the sun coming up whilst we were airbourne. The flight itself only took about an hour, but was delayed as the ground staff were busy with de-icer and a scraper in an atempt to make the plane airworthy.

Glasgow seems to be a very cosmopolitan city with plenty of things to see and do. We are only here for three days. So we may have to come up again sometime to take in more of the sights.

So That's What They Mean By A Carpet

Our Oscar is a right little scamp. He just loves to play about and entertain us with his antics. Running around the house and getting into all sorts of mischief. Nothing naughty though, which is a good thing. We sometimes have to tell him off though, especially when he tries to tease Marmalade, or steal his food.

Gail called me the other day to come quickly to the living room as Oscar was doing something very unusual. Somehow he had scrambled under the fireside rug and made himself a home. It's quite a big, heavy rug too, 100% wool.

As he looked such a comical sight, I just had to take a photo of him for posterity.

Lighter Than Air

Another change this week as Stewart has chosen the Headbanger Challenge in place of Dave, who is busy being intelligent for a change, rather than messing around with a camera.

So what has Imac chosen for his theme this week? He's gone for 'simply light'.

My instant first though was that of a tub of margarine. But that's not a very exciting photo to show people and would never have got the gold. So instead I've gone for this rather unusual shot of a mummy that I came across in the junk shop at Rye.

Now my thinking for this photo is that the original body when embalmed, lost a lot of weight through the process of removing the person's insides and then the body was dried for about two months in a vat of salt. After it is just wrapped in bandages, it would be simply light. And of course being over four thousand years helps as well, as more decay can take place. Now mummy's are classic horror film characters, as they march around trying to kill people with their bandaged hands. The most famous being Boris Karloff's 1932 offering, which could be acknowledged as the first one. Influenced of course by the discovery of Tutankhamun in 1922.

Please pop over to the other gang's pages to see how they have interpreted the theme, and enjoy this great piece of comedy music.

Today's blog is also influenced by the theme. In fact I was thinking of using it as the main photo. Another one taken in the junk shop. A lovely model of an early attempt at manned flight. It's a wonderful shade of red and would look great on a bookshelf with other aeroplane models, or on the desk of someone involved in the aviation industry.

Tuesday Tidy-up

Here's my silver winning photo from last week's Headbanger Challenge - 'Surprise'. See last Wednesday for the explanation for the photo of Jamie's Italian Restaurant.

Do pop back tomorrow to see how the gang have defined the new theme for the challenge.

Peek-a-Boo

Whilst Gail was trying on some new boots yesterday at a shoe shop in Rye, I was mucking about a bit with my camera and this mirror in the shop. I don't like having my photo taken that much, let alone doing it myself. So I think this is the best you'll get.

Junktastic

Besides being great for anything artistic, Rye also boasts quite a number of antique and curio shops. We went in a real Aladdin's cave this morning. Two floors absolutely brimming with all sorts of nic-nacs. Anything and everything was on shelves, in boxes, in cabinets and hanging from the ceiling. You wanted it, they probably had it somewhere. I took a number of photos of the things on sale and I thought I would share this one with you, as it's not everyday that you see a World War II gas mask hanging next to a toasting fork and a hurricane lamp.

A Rye Time

We went on a driving adventure to East Sussex today, to the picturesque and historic coastal town of Rye. This is our third visit in as many years, as I have a very dear friend who lives there. Someone that I have known for forty years now. She is in relatively good health considering her senior years. She is very artistic and is involved in many groups there, as the town is full of painters, sculptors, potters and of course photographers. The guidebooks are full of photos of all the quaint cottages and very old timber-framed buildings. But not that many seem to have been taken at night. So I went out with my camera and tripod, to see what I could find. Here's a photo of the very old Mermaid pub, which of course is on Mermaid Street. Cobbled, very hilly, but full of charm.

Snapping The Snapper

Something a bit unusual happened to us today. We had our photograph taken by a professional photographer at his home in West Bridgford. David is a Facebook contact and he put a message on the other day about wanting people to come along to his new studio for a bit of testing. Fortunately I had booked today off, as we are planning to go to Rye for the weekend, but Gail wants to go tomorrow instead, as she's concerned about leaving Marmalade and Oscar alone for to long. So we popped along at lunchtime for a sitting. Or rather a standing as the case may be. David took some of me alone, and some of Gail on her own, then did a few of us together. His studio is an empty room with some lights. Simple, but effective. Something Gail and I are thinking of doing in the near future. At the end of the shoot, I asked David if I could take a shot of him for the blog. And here's the result.

Food Served Here

I am always saddened to see lovely old buildings empty and going to waste, when they have so much character to them. So I was very pleased to see work had begun a few weeks ago into converting a fine example of Victorian architecture near the Playhouse that had been seen boarded up for a couple of years. I went past today and it is almost finished. It is going to be a restaurant and is opening in early February. Unfortunately I won't be around to see them cut the ribbon, as Gail and I are off to Scotland then for a wedding. I hope they open during the daytime, so I can go on another ladies lunch with the girls from work. Just a shame the photo is spoiled by the builder's van. But I think you get a good idea of what a fine building it is.

Surprise, Surprise

Another Wednesday, another Headbanger Challenge. Due to some difficulties that Dave is experiencing, Kathy has come in at the last minute with 'surprise'. She was surprised too, at being asked to think of a topic on the spur of the moment. My header photo shows Jamie Oliver's restaurant in the city centre. Now there is a very good reason for showing this. Not for the obvious reason of having a top TV chef's eating house on your doorstep, but for the reason that I won a meal for two there at Christmas in a raffle.

Now I'm not generally a very lucky person. Never really have been. My bread always tends to fall butterside down. So I don't know what possessed me to buy some charity raffle tickets that were being sold at the Paul Smith shop next door. I don't know if it was the the wide selection of prizes on offer. The top being a weekend away for two in London, or the fact that it was for a good cause. The Maggie's Cancer Centre at the City Hospital. There were also some obscure prizes available, such as an encyclopaedia of Russian gangster tattoos. I'm glad that I didn't win that! The tickets were £2 each. So I bought two. There's not that many Paul Smith shops in England. I think most of them are in Japan. So I wondered if I might have a slightly better chance of winning. Not that I really expected to. But yippee, I had an email from a marketing person at the company after the draw date saying that I had won a dinner for two at Jamie's Italian. We have not gone yet, but might see if I can book it for Valentine's Day. Give Gail a treat.

Don't forget to visit my four friends' pages, to see how they have interpreted Kathy's theme. And also enjoy this piece of music

I heard on the news yesterday that there was going to be a solar radiation storm over the planet taking place sometime soon. It must have happened last night over Nottingham, as when I went out to work this morning, I was surprised to find this strange silver star in the garden. It wasn't glowing or anything. But it glistened a bit. I managed to find some old netting in the shed and wrapped it up. I then put it in the shed for safe keeping. It really is quite a lovely thing. and fell to the ground without breaking up. Maybe because it is quite heavy and solid. And oh how it sparkles. I don't think any photo can do it justice.

Mine's A Pint

Here's another night shot of the Castle pub; one of our locals for the 'girlie' lunches with the folks from work which I indulge in, once in a while. Comment expected from Stewart!

The building itself was designed by Watson Fothergill, and stretches someway down the road, to the right. The building includes a printers and a new restaurant, quaintly called 'Fothergills'. I've not eaten there yet. But give me time!

A Touch Of Blue

Here's a dusk shot of the boating lake in Highfields and the well photographed Portland Building in the university, with its working clock tower. I love the little patches of blue still trying to seep through the dark clouds and the setting sun in the distance. My camera was set on a slow shutter speed to get the slightly blurred look of the blue.

Fruit Bomb

We popped over to Mansfield today, as we were having lunch with Gail's oldest friend Hilary and her husband. Oldest as in how long Gail has known her and nothing to do with the ladies' age. We went to a small restaurant, a 200 year old building that used to be a maltings. The restaurant is Michelin rated and the food was gorgeous and very well presented, as my photo of Gail's fruit Pavlova pudding shows. I had a banana and toffee with some ice cream. Very tasty, but alas not very photogenic.

The Black Arts

I popped along to the Lakeside Arts Centre today to see an exhibition of some of L.S Lowry's early work, before he got into paining matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs. There quite a few paintings of scenes around his home town of Salford and Manchester with no people in them at all, including some depicting derelict houses. It was dusk when I left the gallery, so I took various photos of the building and some of Highfields lake which is situated across the road.

Night Dancing

Here's the outside of the Castle pub and environs, including the statue of Robin Hood. I do like taking photos at night and converting them to monochrome. Besides looking nice, it also hides any noise. The wet pavement also adds to the atmosphere I think.

Ladies That Lunch

I was an adopted lady that lunches today, as I went for lunch at a local pub with five co-workers who just happen to be women. The pub isn't too far from the office, so we had plenty of time for a chat. I certainly wouldn't call it gossip, as I'm not that sort of guy!

Most of the interest appeared to be in some electronic cigarettes that two of them were using to help them stop smoking. Somehow water vapour comes out of the end which makes it look like real smoke. Apparently you can get various sorts of 'tobacco', including apple and menthol. The packet they come in serves as a battery charger too. An interesting device, which seemed to be cheaper than the real thing, which must be good for your wallet as well as your health.

Alas three of the gang had to go back to work earlier than the rest of us as they were on staggered breaks, so the sofa opposite me had become vacant. So I took this still life of the table we had used.

The Lion In Winter

Today is of course Headbanger Wednesday, and it has been Tom's turn to chose the subject. He's gone for 'look at this (add your own word) animal. My word is 'famous'.

So what's famous about this stone lion you might think. Well in Nottingham, everyone knows the 'left lion'. There's even a magazine named after him. The left lion is famous for being the spot where everyone meets up before going to the pub or cinema etc. It's been like that since the 1920s when the square was first opened. Even I've met up with people there, including Gail down the years. You should see it at weekends and in the summer, there are so many people standing there, if feels like it's a bus stop! There is of course another identical one at the other side of the entrance to the Council House. But for some unknown reason it sadly doesn't get as much attention as the left one.

Please pop over and see how the rest of the gang are showing Tom's theme, and do enjoy this suitable piece of music.

Today has been a bit warmer, but dull. I was hoping to find another animal orientated photo for you today, but alas nothing came along. So as an antidote to this grim time of the year, here's a little spring lamb that I took last year. Something to remind you that the warmer weather is hopefully on it's way.

Frozen Greens

Another icy morning. So I took a shot of this frost sprinkled hedging in our garden.

Shadow Dancing

Although it has been very cold today, it was also very sunny. So I spent my lunchtime walking around looking for light and shadow shots. I noticed this one, as the sun was just shining between some tall buildings, so it just gave just a fairly narrow shaft of light. I waited to see if a suitable person would walk through the light in just the right spot. I'm quite happy with the shot, although there's always the idea that it could have been better. But I only have an hour for lunch, unlike famous photographers like Cartier-Bresson, who could spend their day walking around and waiting for as long as they like.

From Russia With Love

Here's another shot of Gemma. This time doing a variation of the classic Christine Keeler pose. For those that don't know, or have forgotten, Christine Keeler was a showgirl and model in the early 1960s. She had an affair with both a Russian spy and a Government minister at the same time. One which caused a lot of problems for the Government as she was possibly passing secrets and cost the job of the war minister, a John Profumo. The story was made into a film called Scandal in 1989, of which there is a Nottingham connection, in that the court scenes were in fact filmed at the magistrates' courts in the Lace Market. What is now the Galleries of Justice.

Modelling The Future

I don't know how many of you have heard of, or actually use Groupon, but they are a company that email daily deals throughout the country. Each major city has it's own deal, but of course you are not limited to your own town's deal. So a few weeks ago I was scanning the deals and found an interesting one for Birmingham. A day's shooting in a photographic studio. Learning about lighting and taking photos of models. I asked Gail if she was interested. She said yes, and so today we drove over to the West Midlands and our adventure in a studio.

The drive over to Birmingham was uneventful until we got to Spaghetti Junction. We got lost a couple of times, as the roads changed quicker than the Sat Nav could direct us. But we got there around thirty minutes later than we would have liked. The studio was located in a building that used to possibly be a factory. We went up some very narrow metal stairs. I opened a door and almost sent a girl flying, as there was a make-up demonstration going on, and someone was sat right near the main door! I apologised and opened another door and went into the studio. The studio itself was one room, and above us a rock band was rehearsing, and the noise and vibration was deafening on occasions.

There was about fourteen of us in all. The photographer was a young trendy looking guy with gelled back hair. He took us trough the basis, and used himself as the model to start with, while we got used to using manual mode and the effects of the lights. After lunch the model called Gemma arrived with her mother. A pretty, seventeen year old who was just starting out on her modelling career. James the photographer selected a couple of outfits from the suitcase of clothes that Gemma had bought along. We then took it in turns to shoot her in different ways and with different lighting effects. Here's one that I took during the shoot.

Shell Sleep

Passing the window of a fancy bed shop on Castle Boulevard, I was amazed to see this very unusual style of bed. Definitely one for deep sea divers or Neptune and his wife. Imagine sleeping inside this oyster shaped bed and waking up and seeing the shell shaped headboard. Not sure how I would feel. I do know one woman who would love such a bed though. Her name is Pearl!

Belated Birthday Greetings

Gail's birthday was at the end of December. Unfortunately she didn't have a brilliant day as she wasn't very well, and we had to pay a visit to the hospital. So her birthday wasn't as good as I would have liked for her. And I do owe her a present or two, as she didn't really know what she wanted.

She's better now and back to normal. Thanks for asking. My local Marks and Spencer's was having a final clearance sale today. Prices had been really slashed to get rid of the stock. There wasn't that much left either. Roaming through the shelves of items that had been marked down, I came across two items that I thought would make great presents for my darling wife.

The little pink figure is actually a USB connector. I thought it would make a super little present as she loves pink and always needs some extra USB connections. The white box is a radio as you may have guessed. But not just any radio. It is a DAB one, that includes Iphone/iPod port and the ability to stream music wirelessly from a computer. The original price was expensive, but the store had knocked about 80% off, so it was too good an offer to refuse. I just hope it produces lifelike sound.

Sands Of Time

Stewart has picked this weeks' Headbanger Challenge, and he's gone for 'photographing the photographers'. Now I have a number of such shots in my library, including one of myself. Something I am sure you don't want to see. So I have gone for this shot of an Asian lady posing for the camera. Whether the photographer is her husband or a very good friend, remains to be seen. It's an interesting pose, but I think I would have put the carrier bags down before striking a pose.

I've been struggling again to find subjects to photograph. At least the market and fair has now been taken away from the Old Market Square, so hopefully something new will appear before too long. I did come across this sandstone wall that has been eroded away through the weather, chemicals in the air and of course time itself. Somehow I think it looks like a piece of cake with a vanilla cream filling.

Please pop over to the gangs' pages and see how they have seen the theme and enjoy this bit of photographic related music.

Tuesday Tidy-up

Here's last week's photo that I entered in the Headbanger Challenge. It was my choice too; new beginnings. A spider building his new home. Alas I didn't win. Oh well, there's always tomorrow. Come back Wednesday evening to see the entries.

Rock With Gok

Gail's been reading a book at the moment too. It's the autobiography of Gok Wan, the well know TV fashion guru. She is a big fan of his, and loves his shows on the television. I bumped into him once when I was in Birmingham for the day. He was filming one of his programmes, and I managed to say hello and get his autograph for Gail. My used rail ticket.
He had quite a hard teenage life as he was overweight and was bullied a lot at school. He then went to learn to be an actor, but found an interest in fashion, which was more suited to him.
The book was a Christmas present from me, and she's found it unputdownable. In fact while I am typing this entry, Gail's just handed the tome to me and said "completed". Three hundred and sixty pages in a little under three days.

The Last Book What I Read

I've just finished reading the latest book by film director and well known food critic Michael Winner. It's more stories about his clashes with move stars and reviews (not always kind) for the Sunday Times of some of the best hotels and restaurants in the world. His most famous film is Death Wish, although he has made many since then, but none after about 1999. Although he did make some TV adverts for an insurance company a few years ago with the catch phrase "Calm down dear, it's only a commercial. He is often outspoken about things, which doesn't always go down well in certain quarters, but his books are a good read, and full of famous names that he has worked with. I follow his Twitter page, which is always amusing to read, just like his books.

Dreaming

A photo from the archive, but only taken last month. I just happened to notice the little boy staring into space whilst I was waiting for the tram to go past, and so I quickly took a shot. Not sure if the reflections of the surrounding buildings help or hinder it.
You are most welcome to say yes or no. Also would it be better in monochrome, or is it OK in colour?