The Big Day

Well it's finally taken place, after weeks of preparation and the unfortunate hype, the wedding of the century took place earlier today. Although I class myself as a romantic, I didn't watch all of it, but Gail was transfixed and was snapping away with her camera. She moaned now and then when either the SD card was full or the battery died, as she didn't want to miss the special bits; especially when Kate and William kissed for the first time on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

Afterwards we went into Nottingham to collect her order from Marks and Spencer's and to see if there was anything still going on. Alas it was all quiet except for a few skateboarders and a group of Emo's messing about in the Old Market Square. Unfortunately we had missed some classic cars that were there earlier in the day. So missed possibly a good photo opportunity. Looking in the windows of some of the closed shops on Wheelergate, I spotted this slightly tacky advertising for a special offer that they were running, which they were shamelessly cashing in on the royal romance. I don't however think that Kate would be too happy with the arrangement, if it had happened in real life!

He's Back

When I passed the entrance to Highfields this morning, I noticed that there were some workmen moving about the pedestal belonging to the bust of Jesse Boot, which was vandalised some time ago during a demonstration about student grants.
And yes, cycling home tonight, I saw that old Jesse was back, keeping guard over the university, which he paid for back in the 1920s.

Speed Demon

It's been my turn this week to pick the Headbanger theme. After much though I've gone for 'speed'. Now as quite a few of you who read my blog know, I enjoy looking at classic cars. When Gail and I recently went to Monte Carlo, I had a field day. Besides seeing some great examples on the roads, we paid a visit to Prince Albert's Motor Museum. I've mentioned it recently in some previous posts so I won't repeat it here. So my header this week is the iconic Ferrari badge. A simple logo that everyone understands and knows means speed, even if very few can actually afford to own one.

I was going to post a different car photo as well as my daily picture, but Gail and I received some very sad news today. Our next-door neighbour passed away early this morning after an illness. Brian was brilliant neighbour and a great friend. He recently found love again after losing his wife a few years ago. A shame that they have now been parted so soon. He was also a great artist and loved making his charcoal drawings of animals and flowers. Here's a shot that I took of him at our local library when he held an exhibition of some of his work.

So this post is for Brian. Joker, artist and friend. My street will be a little quieter without him.

Wedding Fever

The country, if not the world appears to be gripped by the forthcoming event on Friday. Not everyone is so enamoured with the trip to Westminster Abbey. In fact a recent UK survey has suggested that at least half the population isn't that bothered, but it's great to have an extra days holiday.

Bunting and flags have been selling like hot cakes. Not forgetting the various items you can buy, from tasteful china cups to cheap, kitsch things that will probably end up in the bin after a week.

I met local poet, artist and activist Lord Biro at lunchtime, as he was putting the finishing touches to his latest, slightly surreal, but amusing display in an empty shop in the West End Arcade. His cartoons may not be to everyone's taste, but the idea of the Queen as Marge Simpson is worth a chuckle or two!

Hunt The Rabbit

Gail bought a couple of chocolate rabbits for Easter, rather than the traditional eggs. We shared one the other night, but the remaining one didn't like the idea of being gobbled up, so hopped off into the garden. I had the devil of a job trying to find him. I looked amongst all the plants that are now in flower, but couldn't see him anywhere. Under flowerpots, behind the garage. Nothing. So then I had a brainwave. He wears a little bell around his neck. So I stopped and listened. Ting-a-ling. There he was crouched down amongst the cornflowers.

Where's St George When You Need Him?

Although yesterday was St George's Day, I am posting a themed photo today. This dragon gargoyle is on the side of our local parish church. He doesn't look very happy clinging onto the stonework. Perhaps he has a fear of heights like I do.

Step This Way

I posted a similar shot of these steps to the Park Estate a couple of years ago, but I have just downloaded a 30 day trial copy of Lightroom 3, and so I thought I would see what effects it has to offer. I've tried to make this look like one of those photos that had been hand coloured, or taken with a very early colour film.

Lightroom seems quite easy to use, but I'm not sure whether I'll be buying a copy, as it is very expensive compared to say Photoshop Elements. And certainly very costly next to Picnik; which is of course free.

Trolley Good Show

There was a environmental and horticultural show in the Old Market Square yesterday. You could see the tented stalls in the distance on the previous post. Various organisations were there to talk to passers by about plants, recycling and gardening. I picked up a free packet of wildflower seeds, some leaflets about the gardens and buildings that are in the university grounds and voted on a children's art exhibition. I took a few photos, including this one of an old fashioned cart that had been done up for the occasion.

Two Little Ducks. Quack, Quack

The ducks have returned to the Old Market Square. I don't know if they are the same couple that arrived last year, but it's nice to see them in the water again. A few others were taking photos of them with various cameras and phones. Bizarrely enough I said yesterday that the water feature isn't always working, but today it was! Possibly because it was a hot day and there were lots of small children in the square wanting to keep cool. The gigantic English flag has once again been put up on the front of the Council House, ready for the St George's Day celebrations on Saturday.

Fountain Of Youth

This week's Headbanger Challenge is courtesy of Imac, and he has chosen fountains. There's nothing like watching water running out of a water feature. You can have huge cascades, or little trickles. All depending on your preference. My header this week is a real work of art and must have taken some thought in working out how to arrange all those bowls. Unfortunately it is not in Nottingham. The mountains might have given a clue to that. But it is in Monte Carlo. Not too far from where we stayed.

There is a fountain in the Old Market Square, which I am showing you as today's picture. It's not that exciting to look at and it is not always working, hence my treatment of it. There used to be two really big ones close to the Council House, but were removed when the square was rebuilt a few years ago. As a joke, people used to tip some washing up liquid in the water, and about 20 minutes later soap bubbles would be everywhere!

Don't forget to see what the others have come up with, except for Sandy, who is enjoying a holiday. Hope she's having a good time. Also enjoy this musical highlight from Dubai.

The Ayes Have It

As I approached the castle this morning on my way in to work, I couldn't help but notice this banner draped over the castle wall. Yes to what though? I suppose I should have asked someone, but being quite shy, I'm not that comfortable in talking to complete strangers. As they all appeared to be students, I guess it was some kind of protest against the grants and university fees. Still it made a colourful scene.

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?

Many people may know that this is the title of the book that the film Bladerunner was based on, but I thought it was apt for this resting R2-D2 who had been trundling around the exhibition halls of The Gadget Show. I don't think this is the original prop from Star Wars, rather a reproduction that helps to advertise a certain big electrical store. If someone wants to pay me, I'll tell you which one.

Gadgets and Gizmos

Gail and I attended the last day of the Gadget Show Live exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham. The Gadget Show is a TV programme whose presenters are set various challenges which utilises the latest technology, either with computing, games or everyday electronics. It was very busy and Gail being a bit of a geek was in her element. We bought a few things. Gail purchased some old style handsets for her mobile phone. One you actually plug into the mobile, the other is linked by Bluetooth. I bought some animation software and a brilliant pair of secateurs, which make light work of cutting quite thick branches with very little effort. It wasn't a bad day, although I think Gail got more out of it than I did.

Full Of Bounce

I haven't written much about Marmalade lately. She's fine though, if you were asking. Plenty of eating, sleeping and watching the world go by from the safety of the living room window. Although she does like to have a wander around her neighbourhood, putting the other cats in their place.

As it was nice and sunny this afternoon, I pottered around in the garden with a spot of weeding and pruning. Our little cat sat and watched me working away. We have a small patio and a mini trampoline on it. Marmalade was overseeing things from it. I couldn't resist taking a photo of her on my iPhone. I used the Instagram app and posted this picture on my Facebook page. As the picture is quite small, I've enlarged it in Picnik.

Coach Trip

Nottingham attracts a large number of visitors every year from both home and abroad. I often see tourists going around in groups strolling round the castle grounds, having their photo taken standing next to the statue of Robin Hood or just walking around. A large gang arrived the other day from Germany. The coach they came on was parked near where I work, so I just had to take a photo or two, as it has a very distinctive look.

Plug In And Go

Another hopefully welcome return to Monaco today, as Nottingham is still very quiet, with nothing much happening for that photographic opportunity. Besides ArtMonaco being in full swing, outside the Grimaldi Centre was an exhibition of electric powered vehicles, that people could have a test drive in. Besides the rather quaint and eccentric designs on offer, a number of normal cars, like this Toyota had been converted to run on electricity, rather than petrol or diesel. Neither Gail or I asked for a go as we didn't have our driving licences with us and we would probably find driving on the right hand side of the road rather difficult.

Warm As Toast

Fire is this week's Headbanger theme courtesy of newbie Sandy. A wide topic that can cover many things, as I'm sure you'll find out if you visit the team's pages. So what am I going to put on? Well I have a few choices. I was going to show the photo above, as it is a literal view of the theme and one that I almost got published in my local paper. But no, I thought I would stretch my imagination a bit, and so here is a view of some members of the Sealed Knot, who are recreating one of the many battles that took place in England centuries ago. Don't worry, it is not a real cannon firing, but nevertheless it looks very effective.

Hope you also enjoy listening to Vangelis' well loved theme to the Chariots of Fire film.

Tower Of Song

One of my favourite singers is Canadian born Leonard Cohen. His rich, deep, gravelly voice gets me right there. Not forgetting his poetry. Song like So Long Marianne, Hallelujah, and First We Take Manhattan. I actually didn't really know that much about him until an old neighbour of mine lent me some of his CDs in about 1992 after he said that he had seen Leonard in concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Don't worry, I gave them back!

I'm afraid that Gail doesn't share my appreciation of his style of singing. She somehow finds it depressing. So I have to have him on the turntable when she's not around and so I can sing along. All together now..

Well Chilled

Here's someone who's enjoying the recent spell of sunshine. Although from the look of him and the way he's dressed, I would think that he spends more time outdoors than in.

Shadowplay

It was a glorious sunny and warm day today. I spent most of it in the garden removing a couple of bushes that had died over the winter and a bit of a spring clean of the pond. There were quite a number of tiny tadpoles swimming about in the water , so I was quite careful with what I was doing as I didn't want to lose any.

Whilst walking up and down the drive I noticed the silhouette of the gates and my shadow together and thought it would make for an unusual posting. I hope you agree.