A Little Oh La La

Gail and I went out for dinner again tonight. You might be thinking that we've been out on a lot of meals recently. Well it's true. It's just that I receive these emails from a company called Groupon everyday, which offers various things at a discount price from around the country. Most of them are beauty orientated, like haircuts, facials and dead skin eaten off your feet by fish. But fortunately not piranas!
Sometimes they will do something unusual, like a ride in a hot air balloon, which we have booked for July. And then of course there are bargain restaurant meals to be had. And tonight's was no exception. We both had two wonderful and very delicious three course meals from a little French restaurant called Le Mistral. Which is tucked away on Wheelergate in a very old building, full of charm, character and atmosphere. Everything looked home made. Gail really loved her garlic bread starter, oozing with cheese, tomatoes and olives. There were two waiters on duty, who were very pleasant and helpful. Nothing seemed too much trouble for them. Just how front of house staff should be. We will certainly be visiting again, even if we have to pay full price as the food was wonderful.

Bang!

This week's theme courtesy of Dave is 'green'. A simple word that has many meanings. Obviously the colour, as in plants. It also means naive, jealousy and the one I've chosen; being environmentally aware. It's something that everyone should be conscious of these days, whether it is saving water, reducing waste or recycling things.

Whilst visiting Monaco, Gail and I came across a demonstration of electric vehicles. The future of transport now that oil is running out and more vehicles are on the road. Some of the vehicles on show were a bit experimental, but my header shows a car that looks like a car and one that people would be willing to drive.

Today's photo was a lucky find, as it was raining at lunchtime and there wasn't much happening. I was walking along Bridalsmithgate when I spotted a rather unusual umbrella. Following the owner, I noticed a giant 'BANG' on it. So I just had to take a shot. Pardon the pun!

A Little Skullduggery

Here's another shot from the market last week. I found these skull characters amusing, even though they look a little macabre. The two down in the corner remind me of Beavis & Butthead for some reason.

The Colour Purple

I've been trying to get back into street photography recently, after having a bit of a break from it for a while. It is probably one of the hardest genres of photography to do, as usually you have to be very alert, quick and responsive, as you usually only get the one chance of capturing the shot. Plus of course you have to be very brave in pointing your camera in front of perfect strangers.

Still I am persevering with it and try to spot some worthwhile subject, while walking around the city centre during my lunch hour. I was interested in the woman's "I Heart NY" shirt, but then I noticed the mauve tint in her hair. Just a subtle amount. Just enough to know it's there without looking too obvious or unconventional.

The Love Bus

There are many different vehicles used as wedding cars these days. Besides the usual Rolls Royces, I've seen classic sports cars and motorbikes. I remember seeing a fire engine used as one once, although I would stop at a dustbin lorry; unless it was brand new. This wedding party had booked an old Routemaster bus, which probably once belonged to London Transport. It looks like they've done quite a good conversion job. I just wonder if some older people stick their hand out when it goes past their bus stop!

As The Cookie Crumbles

For the last couple of days there has been a market in the Old Market Square. It could be described as a global market, as there were many things on offer for sale from different countries. A similar one appeared last year, which looked quite popular. Food was of course a main attraction for people, especially this French biscuit seller.

Food Glorious Food

Gail and I went for a meal last night after Brian's funeral. As you can see I had fish and chips (fries), while Gail had a beef and ale pie. I was so taken with the unusual presentation, that I just had to take a photograph. The chips in their own little fryer, a tiny jam jar of tartare sauce, another small jar of mushy peas and all served with a very tasty piece of fish on a wooden board, rather than a plate. Yum, yum!

Never Forgotten

I tried to do a post last night, but Blogger.Com had broken down, so I'm doing it tonight, together with today's actual post.

Yesterday was Brian's funeral. A sad, but happy day, as around 70 people came to pay their respects and remember the man, the wag, the artist and the friend. Gail and I, like many others will miss him very much.
As I said previously, he was a very good artist who liked to use charcoal and pastels. Here's an example of what skill he possessed, and as you can see he was quite a talent.

Brian Adcock
1933 - 2011

Random

Lanny's choice this week for the Headbanger Challenge comes courtesy of Lanny and is 'bran new'. A bit of a puzzle this one, as I'm sure she didn't mean brand new. So it's been a bit of a struggle to try and come up with an idea. Whilst preparing my lunch this morning I had a bit of a brainwave. I usually have cornflakes for my breakfast. Amongst the choices are Wheetabix. Bran in biscuit form. So I carefully cut up some of the biscuits and made up the word 'NEW'.

Todays blog picture is an abstract. A side of a new building belonging to Trent University. It's similar in style to those on the University of Nottingham's Jubilee Campus. So it must be an academic thing, or they use the same architect.

Feeling Sheepish

I was rather surprised to see this sheep tied up outside a furniture shop in Hockley. Fortunately it wasn't a real one that was a pet and out for a stroll with its master. Instead it was a life size model of one that could be yours for the bargain price of £190. Hopefully it's been housetrained and isn't too noisy whilst you are trying to watch the television. I'm not sure what Marmalade would think of it. She would either sleep on it, or use it as a scratching post.

The Music Man

A couple of weeks ago Gail and I went to the Contemporary to see MuHa, a band that has been featured on here a few times and is a favourite amongst the Flickr members of Nottingham. I took my D90 along, as I have not tried it in concert conditions before, with so much light and shade. Unfortunately it didn't do that well. Probably down to the lens I had on and the settings. Although I did keep fiddling with the ISO. Not many of the photos are usable, either through blown colours of too much blurring. But I've had a go at tweaking this one in iPhoto. Not brilliant, but someone may like it.

Poladroid

I've posted a couple of photos that have been created with Poladroid, that nifty bit of free software that digitally turns your photos into the good old fashioned Polaroids. I'm glad to see that they have make a version for Macs, as it's great fun to use, and you're not entirely sure how the final image will turn out.
Here's a shot I took in Casino Square, Monte Carlo. It's come out quite well, but has chopped a little bit off the end of this classic red sports car.

Where's The Fire?

There was a mock air raid siren and fire in the Old Market Square this morning. It was to commemorate the 70th anniversary of when Nottingham was heavily bombed during World War Two. Vintage fire engines were on display and as you can see from my photo, a fireman in period dress was putting out the 'fire' in the Council House.

I don't usually go into the city centre at the weekend, as I work there during the week, but I have started rehearsing for a play that I will performing in at the castle next month. It is a shorter, rewritten version of the play that I appeared in last summer about the monks who lived at Beauvale Priory, called The Cries of Silent Men. It is part of a major arts project called NEAT 11 that will be taking place in May and June. Quite a lot of the original cast members will be returning to their roles, so it should be good fun. Hopefully it won't take me long to re-remember my lines, as they are practically identical. Which is good, as my memory is getting worse day by day.

A Mini Fiat

As a very happy owner of a Fiat 500 (new version), I am always on the lookout for models of the great little Italian car. So I was quite surprised to find this one at a charity shop a little while ago. It is based on a character from Cars, the Pixar movie from a few years ago. I've seen the film once, but can't remember seeing a 500 in it. I do have it on DVD, so will have to dig it out and see if I can find it and what the character's name is.

Motorbikin'

Whilst visiting Wollaton Park on Saturday, I came across this highly decorated motorbike. Not sure why a company making cigarette papers should be promoted though.

Water Way To Travel

Tom has supplied this week's headbanger theme of 'water'. We've had similar themes recently like fountains the other week, so I decided not to go down the traditional route. Instead I'm presenting a seagull from Monte Carlo. I took its portrait while Gail and I were eating some pizza down by Port Hercule.

What seaside wouldn't be complete without the squarks of gulls overhead, or queueing up on the promenade waiting for a few crumbs of food from people passing by eating fish and chips? Whenever I am at the coast, I always look forward to hearing their call. Its the romantic in me. Of course these days seagulls can be found many miles inland, as the continual hunt for food is never ending. In fact I heard a couple the other day in Highfields, some 70 miles away from any saltwater.

My main photo today is also water related, with a traction engine, which of course uses steam to move. There was a show of them and classic vehicles on Sunday in Wollaton Park. But it was quite expensive to go in. So instead I walked around the fencing and took some photos through the wire.

Don't forget to visit the other team members (except Imac) and see how they have interpreted the theme, and enjoy this little film.

I Think A Sunhat Is In Order

These special purple tulips were waving in the strong breeze that was blowing around Calke Abbey yesterday, even if the sun had been shining all day long. They are certainly a lot different to the usual red and yellow varieties that you often see in people's front gardens and roundabout displays. It's a super colour. A very delicate mauve, brought out even more by being kissed by the warming sunshine.

Now Where Did I Put That Hammer?

As it was such a lovely sunny day, Gail and I took a trip out to see Calke Abbey, a Natural Trust property in southern Derbyshire. The place was very busy. So much so that they weren't letting anymore people into the house. So we went for a walk round the grounds. Besides the usual stroll through wooded pathways, there was a flower garden, a traditional vegetable garden and an ice house. Here's a shot of an old potting shed that doesn't look like its been touched in years.

Going Postal

For various reasons I've not been involved in the monthly theme day for quite a while now. So I thought I would give it a go again, especially as this months theme of 'mailboxes' isn't too difficult to get. I actually took this late last year when we had a lot of snow. Not particularly relevant at the moment with all the sunny weather we are having, but it does give it a different perspective to the job of a postman.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

A Touch Of Green

I popped along to Wollaton Park this afternoon to see a traction engine and vehicle show. But I didn't go in, as I thought the entrance fee was too expensive for what it was. I don't mind paying a fair amount, but what they were asking was a tad too much. So instead I went for a walk around the park and hall, as they were free. On the way back to my car, I took some photos of the many trees in the park, as they were all bursting with green in the sunshine.