Monte Carlo Or Bust

We had a transport related day today in Monaco. Firstly we paid a visit to the collection of vintage, and not so vintage cars that belong to the Prince. He has been collecting cars for over 40 years, and what a selection of vehicles. From the humble 'tin snail' to Formula One racing cars. I took a lot of photos in there including this early version of the famous E Type Jaguar.

We then took a bus trip around the principality. Twice actually, as it is one where you can get on and off all day. We also went across Port Hercule on a bus boat. A small solar powered ferry that chugs from one side of the harbour to the other. Probably not as exciting as the abra's in Dubai, but it was an experience, and we got to see a differnt view of all the million pound boats that were moored there.

Bonjour!

Well we've made it. Gail and are now in Monte Carlo. We arrived at lunchtime, after a very early start. After we landed at Nice Airport, shown above, we were collected and flown by helicopter to the hotel. Really something different than catching a bus or takin g a taxi. It was all in the deal. The hotel itself is very nice. It's not in the centre of Monaco, but as the country is so small, it's only a short stroll to the main drag. We're meeting up with Jilly on Friday. She does the MC blog, and so it we be good to meet her and compare notes.

Burying Ones Head In The Sand

Lanny has chosen this week's Headbanger Challenge, and has gone for 'Make Do'; something that probably happens a lot on a farm. During World War II, 'make do and mend' was a rallying cry to everyone in England, as people did what they could for their country. There was no waste. Old paper, metal, food etc was recycled for the war effort. Gardens were dug up for growing food. There was food rationing of course, but somehow nobody starved, and everyone seemed a lot healthier than they do today. Maybe because there was no processed junk foods, fast food outlets (except for fish and chips) and less choice.

At the Brewhouse Museum they have an area decked out like an air raid shelter, and one the wall are all these posters promoting and reminding people what they can do to help the country win.

Don't forget to visit all the other gang members to see how they have interpreted the theme.

By comparison, today's blog picture features fast food, albeit a healthy one. Ostrich meat is a fairly recent introduction into people's diets. I've tried ostrich meat sausages and burgers. Not from this new cafe though, but from a farmers market that appears in the square once a month, and very nice they are too. Full of flavour, without all the nasty fats that usual red meat contains.

Who Lives In A House Like This?

A return to Belton House today as my pal Imac is there again. He's on his way to the boathouse via a trail of daffodils. Well guess what, we are there already!
It's a curious little house, the sort you read about in stories. You can imagine Goldilocks living there, or the Three Little Pigs, or even an evil being from another world.

I've turned it into a old sepia print, in appreciation of the number of very large old photos that are on display in the restaurant.

Mambo Number Five

Today's entry marks the fifth anniversary of Nottingham Daily Photo. I can't believe that I've managed to keep it going for so long. Nearly 1700 blogs. One every day last year. A first, and one that I hope to keep up this year too.

I've tried to find something special to celebrate my achievement. And so here's two very colourfully painted doors, which I saw down on the canal. Somehow the artist who painted them knew about the forthcoming celebration!

A Quiet Moment

This is Kayes Walk and runs along St Mary's Church in the Lace Market. It's a quaint little lane, with tall Victorian buildings to one side and the church to the other. It looks really nice with the sun shining and the shadows of the branches of the churchyard trees.

Busted!

I was sad to see that the monument of Jesse Boot had been vandalised overnight. It had stood in the same spot near the university for years and years without any problems. I understand from news reports that it was done by student activists, in reaction to raising university fees, government cuts and the like. Personally I think it's stupid to destroy such things, as it doesn't do any good. In fact it actually puts people off and makes them resent the protestors.

Off With His Head

There was another demonstration in the market square today. This one was organised by the local university staff and students and concerned changes in staff pensions and possible job cuts.
I had read that the demo was going to start at about noon, but when I got there it had finished and they were just packing away the banners, flags, etc. I was a tad disappointed, as I wanted to try and take some good shots with my new camera. So I just had to make do with this one.

A Touch Of Red

It's the Wednesday Night Headbanger Challenge again, and this week we have a new contestant joining us called Sandy. Welcome then Sandy to the club.
This week's theme is an easy one for a change and thought up by Tom. And its the colour red. There are so many red things out there, so it was quite hard making a choice. I could have gone for the easy options like telephone kiosks and pillar boxes. Clothing, painted wood and the like were another area ripe for investigation. But last Friday was 'Red Nose Day', which is also known as Comic Relief, where people do silly things to raise money for charity. It was started several years ago and has happened every year since. Millions of pounds have been raised, which mainly goes to Africa, but a bit goes to groups in this country. People raise money by doing all sorts of mad activities. I have no idea what this person has been up to, but hopefully they raised some money for the charity.

While I was at the transport museum on Sunday, I saw a number of buses. So to tie in with the red theme, here are two for your delectation.; the famous Routemaster up for repair, and a fine example of a 1950s double decker from a local company.

Don't forget to see what the other members of the gang have come up with.

Blossom Time

The warm and sunny weather that we have fortunately been getting these past few days have helped to wake up the flora after emerging from its long winter sleep. Passing Highfields this morning, I noticed that all the flowering cherry trees have their covering of white flowers in full bloom. Besides seeing many daffodils about, it is a good sign that spring isn't too far away.

Puffing Billy

One of the most popular attraction yesterday were the free rides on a number of miniature steam engines. I was surprised how powerful they are, as being small they don't look like they can pull quite few people along at speed.

Plenty Of Room On Top

I paid a visit to the Transport Heritage Centre at Ruddington today, as they, and many more museums were opening their doors for free, as part of the 'Big Day Out' promotion that happens once a year across the county. I've been wanting to visit the centre for a while now, so this was a good opportunity. Gail didn't want to come with me, as she said that she had better things to do.

There were a few buses on offer, some of which I had previously seen at Wollaton Park, an number of working miniature steam engines, a tabletop model railway and some real trains. They were providing short trips on one, which I went on. I sat in one of the old style first class carriages, where six people sat in compartments. These were phased out in the early 1970s, where they were replaced with the open airliner style.

Here is one of the buses that I saw there. It is quite unusual, being an open top type. Something that Nottingham no longer uses, although some other manjor towns have them, mainly for tourists to ride on.

Time Traveller

Whilst walking amongst the heaving crowd on St Patrick's Day, I bumped into Amy, a friend of mine who I met whilst studying photography at college a couple of years ago. Besides earning a living taking photographs of weddings and studio work, Amy likes to dress up in vintage clothing. She was in this demure outfit when we met, and so just had to take a photo of her. Here she is posing outside the Council House. I've tried to give the image a vintage look too.

Meals On Wheels

As the name implies, the Soulville Steakhouse is a restaurant with a leaning towards cuts of meat. I've never eaten there yet, as I don't eat red meat. I've been meaning to take the photo of this Mod scooter for a while now, but there's been scaffolding up along the road for ages and ages, and it's only recently been taken away.

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

March 17 is of course St Patrick's Day. A day when the patron saint of Ireland is celebrated and much Guinness, whiskey and beer is drunk by everyone, Irish or not. A march took place again in the city centre. Here's the start of the cavalcade as it headed towards the Old Market Square.

Back To The Future

It's been my choice this week for the Headbanger Challenge, and I've chosen 'retro'; the modern word for recycling the past. I was hoping to to find a really good example to win the gold this week, but nothing has tapped me on the shoulder and said "take my photo". So it's been another trawl of the archive and I've found this great example of a hairstyle that seems to have been around since the 1950s with the introduction of rock 'n' roll. I actually took this last year, so perhaps this guy has had the same style since he was a young man. And that's some sideboard he's got. I don't think even Elvis had his that wide. Please visit the other members of the gang to see how they have interpreted the theme and enjoy the musical trip down Memory Lane.

Today's daily photo picture is another from Belton House, and a statue inside the Orangery. I have given it a retro feel, so it resembles an old Victorian print or postcard.

Resting Awhile

Whilst walking around one of the lakes at Belton House, Imac and I came across this couple taking the weight off their feet and enjoying the view. The sun was lovely and warm; a complete contrast to today, with thick fog this morning and no sun whatsoever. I hope it's not going to be the same for the rest of the week.

Still Life

On my tour around Belton House yesterday, I realised that there was quite a number of statues dotted around the gardens. They are good subjects for photography, as the stone is often weathered, with moss or ivy sometimes growing on them. My blogging pal Stewart (Imac) said that this one is one of his favourites. So this is dedicated to him.

Belton House

Gail and I met up with fellow blogger Imac and his DW today for a stroll around Belton House; a splendid country house and estate near Grantham in Lincolnshire. It is owned by the National Trust. We joined the organisation today, as it allows free entry to all its properties in the UK. There are many castles, houses, lighthouses and gardens available. Something to please everyone. We plan to see quite a few this year through day trips or weekends away.

Madame Butterfly

This display of butterflies was designed to show what Fuji's new 3D camera can do, and what the finished photo looks like. I guess that at the moment it is a bit of a novelty. Although the system does work, and you and tell that the picture is 3 dimensional, you do need to buy either a 3D television, or digital picture frame. You can buy prints, but they are rather expensive at about £5 for a postcard sized photo.
No doubt when more people buy into the system the prices will come down. But for now, It's something I'll forget about.