Rainy Days And Tuesdays

Yesterday was another washout, as it rained on and off for most of the day. So I thought I would try and capture the raindrops in the canal and illustrate what a dull day it was.

Classical Glass

Quite a number of my photos have featured the Council House with it's clock and dome. Today's picture shows what it looks like from the inside; well a glass dome anyway, as most of the building is off limits to the general public. The dome is near the front of the building and lets light onto a sweeping stone staircase.

I Talk To The Trees

Well on this instance, they talk to us. Each of these 'trees' gives off a different musical sound when you go near them, through some in built sensors. They are just the thing to keep the children amused during half term.

Books on Wheels

Here is a snap of Nottingham Council's latest vehicle; a mobile library. It's a good idea having these, as not everyone has access to a library, or can travel to one, and reading books is one of the most important things you can do. Not only for pleasure, but for learning about the world around you and what's going on in it.

I wonder if there's any books about blogging!

The Music Man

This marble plaque commemorates the spot where a musician locally known as 'the Xylophone Man' sat and entertained the passing shoppers, with his unique musical style. It was unique, as he just tapped the bars of his children's toy xylophone at random and stamped his foot. He did make the trip to the Broad Marsh Centre a bit brighter.

Shadow On The Wall

In the same darkened corner as yesterday's portrait, stands this artistic effort. I'm not sure what the artist is trying to tell me with this one. Do the blacked out shapes represent the unknown people in the world, and are they the feet of the artist?

You decide.

There's Always Someone Looking At You

Here's some hidden art. I say hidden, because you'd only see it if you made a point of going there, as it's a bit out of the way and not part of the main thoroughfare. A shame really, as it's quite a striking picture.

And They Call It Puppy Love

Couldn't resist taking a snap of these cuddly toy dogs in a shop window. Who cares if Valentine's Day is over. All you need is love!

Maneating Bird

Last night Nelly Furtado played at the Nottingham Arena. I'm not really a fan of her music, even though there is a marked difference in style between her first song and her last, but there have been some local comments about the distracting nature of this giant poster.

Happy New Year

The year of the pig in the Chinese calendar begins today. Beeston has developed quite a large Chinese community now with many attending the nearby university. There were celebrations in the Square today, with various demonstrations of dancing and singing, followed by the obligatory firework display. I caught these young girls doing a sort of fan dance. They added a much needed splash of colour to a rather grey day.

Good Use Of The Church Fund?

I know this is a sign for a local printers, which are based opposite the Castle; but my imagination thinks it could be a specialist company that makes clones of people for churches with falling congregations. You can just see a local vicar going in and asking for "about twenty men and women of ordinary, but good personalities and ages between twenty five and sixty".

Roses Are Red...

As I am having to go away on business tomorrow, I thought I would put on my contribution to Valentine's Day 24 hours early. I spotted these two characters promoting an Internet video Valentine's service called; Loveoke.com.. Enjoy tomorrow & don't eat too many chocolates.

The Taxman Commeth

Last April I published a photo of the Inland Revenue building, which I took from the Castle. Today's shot is of the same building. This time it was taken from the railway line, that runs at the back of the offices.

Just Another Day

Yesterday Nottingham missed the snow again, except for a small flurry around 5pm, which didn't settle due to the ground being wet. So I still can't bring you a snowy scene of my home town. Instead here's a rather wet and drab shot of a part of the city centre that is going to redeveloped sometime in the near future. I thought I'd take it before it disappears for ever.

Snow Can Do

There was fun and chaos across the UK yesterday, when heavy falls of snow hit the country for the second time this year. Nottingham seemed to escape again, as we only had a light dusting & it had all but disappeared by about 10am. So alas no photos of a white Robin Hood. Instead here's a photo of an art nouveau gate in the Lace Market. A shame the top of the gate has been boarded up. But I suppose it was done to deter vandals and thieves.

Writer's Block

A shame that this plaque is quite high on the side of a building on High Street, as it informs us that JM Barrie, the author of the great children's classic, Peter Pan used to work as a staff member of the Nottingham Journal; a local newspaper which is now defunct.

The Eyes Have It

Here's the poster which is advertising one of the world's best musicals; Cats, which is playing this month at one of my local theatres. The musical is based around the poems of TS Elliott & is about the adventures of several different felines, such as Bustepher Jones the very fat cat and Scrimbleshanks, who catches mice on the railway. The musical contains the very famous song "Memory", which was originally sung by Elaine Paige.

Tele-vision

I think this is about the biggest TV that I've ever seen. It was on display in the nearly completed Market Square. There was nobody around to explain why it was there and what it was all about. So I am completely in the dark as to what the film was publicising.

Sky Scene

As I was unlocking the driveway gates the other morning, I kooked up into the sky and thought it looked really unusual and colourful, with a slight Turneresque quality. So naturally I had to take a couple of shots of it. Here's the result.

Smoke and the Water

Whilst out at lunch yesterday, I came across some action which needed the fire brigade. A small building was on fire. It was being dampened down by the time I got there, so all I saw was a load of smoke, but I took a lot of photos. In fact several people were standing around taking pictures, either with digital cameras or mobile phones. The local newspaper reporter had got there before me, so I couldn't get a scoop. I'm putting on two photos today to show the action at the front and rear of the building. I don't think anyone was hurt, but a good traffic jam had developed.