Friday 30 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 30 - April 30th 2010 - Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power station from the M1


Project 365 - Day 30 - April 30th 2010 - Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power station from the M1
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

My journey home from Loughborough today involved a huge detour to avoid a jam on the M1.

Having gone through Ashby de la Zouch and Castle Donnington I found my way back onto the motorway north of the accident.

Thursday 29 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 29 - April 29th 2010 - Concert seats


Project 365 - Day 29 - April 29th 2010 - Concert seats
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Today was the Summer Concert at Lady Manners School. A big concert - around 400 students performed on stage in orchestra, string groups, brass band, wind band, choirs of various sizes, folk group.... etc!

There was a big audience too - around 600?

This photo was taken about an hour before the concert. Everything set and ready!

Wednesday 28 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 28 - April 28th 2010 - Stanton in the Peak church


Project 365 - Day 28 - April 28th 2010 - Stanton in the Peak church
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

I normally drive home from Bakewell along the A6 but, this evening, took a slight detour after Haddon Hall and came via Stanton in the Peak.

Tuesday 27 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 27 - April 27th 2010 - Vapour trails


Project 365 - Day 27 - April 27th 2010 - Vapour trails
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

A couple of weeks ago we had 7 days when all UK flights were suspended due to a volcanic eruption in Iceland ( news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8621407.stm ).

Eyjafjallajökull gave us clear blue skies and stopped, temporarily, the airline graffiti in the sky.

On my way to teach in Loughborough today I noticed the quantity of vapour trails in the sky above East Midlands Airport.

Monday 26 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 26 - April 26th 2010 - County Hall Entrance


Project 365 - Day 26 - April 26th 2010 - County Hall Entrance
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

I live just around the corner from County Hall.

It was built by John Smedley in 1853 as a hydro (a place where hydropathic treatments were used to cure all sorts of ailments and illnesses) and became the offices of Derbyshire County Council in 1955.


Sunday 25 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 25 - April 25th 2010 - Mini-Rugby


Project 365 - Day 25 - April 25th 2010 - Mini-Rugby
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Today was the annual Mini-Rugby Festival hosted by Matlock Rugby Club at Cromford Meadows.

A great day out, even if escaping from the car park took nearly an hour and a half!

In the Under 8s Matlock came 4th in their group and so didn't qualify for the semi-finals.

The eventual winners were Bakewell who beat Southwell in the final 5-2.

Saturday 24 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 24 - April 24th 2010 - Playing


Project 365 - Day 24 - April 24th 2010 - Playing
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

It was Martha's best friend's birthday and she had a party at Happy Planet (a soft play centre in Ripley, Derbyshire).

Friday 23 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 23 - April 23rd 2010 - Piano


Project 365 - Day 23 - April 23rd 2010 - Piano
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Much of my life is spent near or playing one of these instruments even though I'm not very good at it.

This is a piano at Redhill School in Arnold, Nottingham.

Thursday 22 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 22 - April 22nd 2010 - Fridge


Project 365 - Day 22 - April 22nd 2010 - Fridge
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Long day at work today with teaching, mentoring, orchestra rehearsal until 6 and then an extra rehearsal for a small ensemble thing for next week's concert.

Home and to the fridge for food... this is the top two shelves....

Wednesday 21 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 21 - April 21st 2010 - Ground Station Zero


Project 365 - Day 21 - April 21st 2010 - Ground Station Zero
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

On Smedley Street, there is a house with this blue plaque on it. I've never really understood what it is for or what Ground Station Zero is but it has always intrigued me...

Tuesday 20 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 20 - April 20th 2010 - Maazi Tuk tuk


Project 365 - Day 20 - April 20th 2010 - Maazi Tuk tuk
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

In Matlock there is an Indian restaurant in the old cinema building, at the bottom of Steep Turnpike and opposite Hall Leys Park.

On the porch over the entrance there is an old Tuk tuk vehicle.

Monday 19 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 19 - April 19th 2010 - Church Lane Crossing


Project 365 - Day 19 - April 19th 2010 - Church Lane Crossing
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

First day back at work after the Easter vac.

On my way home I came via Darley Churchtown and took this photo of the level crossing and signal box at Church Lane Crossing.

Sunday 18 April 2010

But I want to be in the picture...


But I want to be in the picture...
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Churchyard Photos

Here's some photos I took of the churchyard at St. Mary the Virgin Church, South Darley, Derbyshire.

Project 365 - Day 18 - April 18th 2010 - Pickled Onions


Project 365 - Day 18 - April 18th 2010 - Pickled Onions
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Today I did my sponsored swim in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care - I swam 2.5 kilometres - that's 125 lengths of Bakewell Pool.

When I got home, well, who can resist pickled onions....

Saturday 17 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 17 - April 17th 2010 - Pavilion Gardens Streem


Project 365 - Day 17 - April 17th 2010 - Pavilion Gardens Streem
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

We went for a trip to Buxton (it's just 20 miles down the road).

It's one of my favourite places with all sorts of lovely architecture.

The children love to play in the Pavilion Gardens.

Friday 16 April 2010

Derbyshire Dales

Here's a small set of photos I took on the way to and way back from work today.

The light was lovely.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/robsteadman/sets/72157623745318657/


Project 365 - Day 16 - April 16th 2010 - Crich Memorial


Project 365 - Day 16 - April 16th 2010 - Crich Memorial
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

On my way home from teaching in Loughborough I had to go cross-country to avoid the awful traffic on the M1 (when will those road works EVER end!).

I went via Heanor, Codnor, Ripley and eventually Crich where I took this photo of the famous War Memorial.

www.crich-memorial.org.uk/

Balloons


Balloons
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

This is one of my favourite photos....

To achieve the effect I used the Coloursplash app on my iPhone.

Thursday 15 April 2010

12 Polystyrene Cups


12 Polystyrene Cups
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

I went to a meeting... whoever put the cups out was overly hopeful of the attendance...

Project 365 - Day 15 - April 15th 2010 - Pigs sleeping


Project 365 - Day 15 - April 15th 2010 - Pigs sleeping
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

We went to the Farmyard and Adventure Playground at Chatsworth today.

Lots of fun had by all even though the weather was very, very cold. These pigs, however, looked rather snug and warm!

Wednesday 14 April 2010

Votematch

I was surprised as I came out closest to the Liberal Democrats.... ho hum!





Violin Concerti playlist

Here's a playlist of my favourite violin concerti.

Click on the composers' names for some more information about each of them:

Philip Glass

Igor Stravinsky

Benjamin Britten

John Adams

Samuel Barber

Months of the Year playlist

I made this months of the year playlist.

If you have better suggestions let me know....

Project 365 - Day 14 - April 14th 2010 - Blossom


Project 365 - Day 14 - April 14th 2010 - Blossom
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

At the end of the street where I live is a small park with a tiny playground and a small area of open grass.

A few of the trees are now in blossom.

People being rescued from rollercoaster during powercut


People being rescued from rollercoaster during powercut 3
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

During a trip to Alton Towers today there was a powercut across the whole park. Some people had to be rescued from the rollercoasters and cable cars.




People being rescued from rollercoaster during powercut 2
Originally uploaded by robsteadman




People being rescued from rollercoaster during powercut 1
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Tuesday 13 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 13 - April 13th 2010 - Wooden Stairs


Project 365 - Day 13 - April 13th 2010 - Wooden Stairs
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Elliot and I went to Alton Towers Theme Park for the day.

In the middle of the park is the old home/castle which gives the place its name.

In the Towers are these wooden staircases.

Monday 12 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 12 - April 12th 2010 - End of the tracks


Project 365 - Day 12 - April 12th 2010 - End of the tracks
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Peak Rail (http://www.peakrail.co.uk/) operate a tourist steadm line from Rowsley via Darley Dale to Matlock Riverside Station using tracks that used to link Matlock to Buxton but which became unused after Dr. Beeching's reviews of the Rail network in the 1960s.

Before the recent Sainsbury's development in Cawdor Quarry the track continued on into the British Rail station at Matlock and there was hope that Peak Rail and Network Rail could come to an agreement to share the station at Matlock. Sadly this no lonhger appears to be a possibility.

Sunday 11 April 2010

Election playlist

With the impending UK General Election (May 6th 2010) I decided to make an Election playlist - this will be a work in progress as I gradually add more things to it up to the election! Then I might make a "INSERT WINNER'S NAME HERE" playlist to mark the result!

February playlist....

I made this playlist back in February - I still like it!

Oboe in Pop and Rock

A while ago Helen Blaby, who used to present the traffic news on BBC Radio Five Live, asked what pop and rock songs included an oboe. I decided to make a playlist of such pieces. Here it is - you'll need Spotify installed on your computer or iPhone to listen!

Project 365 - Day 11 - April 11th 2010 - Sunlight reflecting on the River Derwent


Project 365 - Day 11 - April 11th 2010 - Sunlight reflecting on the River Derwent
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

On the way home from an afternoon at Markeaton Park in Derby, I stopped at Belper and took some photos of the River Derwent near to the North Mill.

The sunlight was reflecting on the surface of the water and up to the underside of the bridge.

Saturday 10 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 10 - April 10th 2010 - Canoe Gates on River Derwent


Project 365 - Day 10 - April 10th 2010 - Canoe Gates on River Derwent
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

We walked to Matlock Bath, along the side of the River Derwent. As usual on summer weekends people were canoeing just north of Matlock Bath. These are the gates suspended from cables across the river.

Friday 9 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 9 - April 9th 2010 - Old Tyres


Project 365 - Day 9 - April 9th 2010 - Old Tyres
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

As part of a school project Elliot, aged 8, and I went round Matlock taking photos of various buildings and places. In the old bus depot there is now a garage/tyre place.

Thursday 8 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 8 - April 8th 2010- Inside the dome of St. Stephen's Basilica, Budapest


Project 365 - Day 8 - April 8th 2010- Inside the dome of St. Stephen's Basilica, Budapest
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

On my last day checking out the concert venues for the summer trip I visited St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest.

A gorgeous building.

Wednesday 7 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 7 - April 7th 2010 - Pews in the church at Vac


Project 365 - Day 7 - April 7th 2010 - Pews in the church at Vac
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Today I joined with 2 teachers from The King's School, Macclesfield, a rep from Club Europe and a local event organiser to visit various concert venues that the Lady Manners School Orchestra might perform in during our visit to Hungary in July.

First stop was the beautiful and peaceful medium/small town of Vac which is north of Budapest on the Danube Bend.

The church is enormous for such a small town but it is lovely.

The light through the window and the shadows cast by these pews made it an easy choice for my Project 365 photo of the day.

Tuesday 6 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 6 - April 6th 2010 - Tram shed, Budapest


Project 365 - Day 6 - April 6th 2010 - Tram shed, Budapest
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

I'm in Budapest for a few days. Opposite my hotel is a tram shed. Here's a photo I took of it.

Monday 5 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 5 - The Big Melt at Magna


Project 365 - Day 5 - The Big Melt at Magna
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

We went to Magna in Rotherham (www.visitmagna.co.uk), a science discovery centre based in an old steel works (Templeborough Steelworks).

There's a show reconstructing what the old steel works was like called The Big Melt. This is a photo of the furnace sparking up.

Sunday 4 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 4 - April 4th 2010 - Paying the Organ Grinder


Project 365 - Day 4 - April 4th 2010 - Paying the Organ Grinder
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

We went to the Chatsworth Easter Eggstravaganza at the Farmyard & Adventure Playground. There was an organ grinder. This is Olivia paying him!

Saturday 3 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 3 - April 3rd 2010 - Necklaces at Caudwell's Mill

We went to Caudwell's Mill at Rowsley (between Matlock and Bakewell on the A6) and into Greenhalgh Glass where my wife loved these necklaces....

Friday 2 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 2 - April 2nd 2010 - The Library, Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire

We went for a day out to Sudbury Hall and the Museum of Childhood (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-sudburyhall/). It was Good Friday and there were Easter Egg Trails.

Outside was rainy and cold.

This is a photo of the library.

I love libraries like this. I want one!!

Thursday 1 April 2010

Project 365 - Day 1 - April 1st 2010 - Birthday Cake

I have been planning on starting a Project 365 for a while - I missed the January 1st start that lots of others did so thought I'd start on my birthday, April 1st. Even better, I was given a new camera for my birthday!

This was my birthday cake. Not quite enough candles (should have been 45!).