Monday, 31 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 61 - 31st May 2010 - Ship in a Bottle


Project 365 - Day 61 - 31st May 2010 - Ship in a Bottle
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

We went for a major walk round London still hunting down the decorated elephants that seemed to be just about everywhere!

We started in Covent Garden then walked to Trafalgar Square, across the Golden Jubilee Bridges to Jubilee Gardens, got on a Thames Clipper boat to Tower Bridge then walked back along the South Bank to the Tate Modern. We finished up crossing the Millennium Bridge to St. Paul's then getting the tube back to Marble Arch!

Phew!!

The Fourth Plinth at Trafalgar Square has a new piece of art - it's a ship in a bottle - and, appropriately, it's Nelson's flagship H.M.S. Victory.

Sunday, 30 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 60 - 30th May 2010 - London, England


Project 365 - Day 60 - 30th May 2010 - London, England
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

We had a lovely day wandering around London: Natural History Museum, Science Museum and then elephant hunting in Green Park and the West End!

Saturday, 29 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 59 - 29th May 2010 - Elephants in Covent Garden


Project 365 - Day 59 - 29th May 2010 - Elephants in Covent Garden
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Around London at the moment are a few hundred decorated statues of elephants.

I think they're lovely!

It's all in aid of www.elephantfamily.org

Friday, 28 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 58 - 28th May 2010 - Underground


Project 365 - Day 58 - 28th May 2010 - Underground
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

I'm not sure why but I do find the London Underground sign somewhat reassuring.

Thursday, 27 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 57 - May 27th 2010 - Bloomsbury Street, WC1


Project 365 - Day 57 - May 27th 2010 - Bloomsbury Street, WC1
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

After the architectural splendour of yesterday's photo of the Great Court at the British Museum ( flic.kr/p/85e6Nf ) I thought today I'd go for a much more down-to-earth photo!

This is the view from my hotel window onto Bloomsbury Street and Great Russell Street.

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 56 - May 26th 2010 - The Great Court, British Museum


Project 365 - Day 56 - May 26th 2010 - The Great Court, British Museum
Originally uploaded by robsteadman


I am in London for a few days for A-level Music Technology standardisation.

My hotel is just round the corner from the British Museum.

The Great Court has to be one of my favourite pieces of architecture.

Tuesday, 25 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 55 - May 25th 2010 - 1957


Project 365 - Day 55 - May 25th 2010 - 1957
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

This is the fake old-fashioned pay phone we have in our kitchen.

We bought it several years ago whilst in Bath but only got round to putting it up a few months ago.

Monday, 24 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 54 - May 24th 2010 - Bakewell Bridge


Project 365 - Day 54 - May 24th 2010 - Bakewell Bridge
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

This is the medieval bridge over the River Wye as you leave Bakewell to the North, in the direction of Baslow and Sheffield.

I was waiting for the Year 13 Music Tech Leavers' meal (at Felicini's in Bakewell) and so took a few photos.

Sunday, 23 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 53 - May 23rd 2010 - BBQ


Project 365 - Day 53 - May 23rd 2010 - BBQ
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

This weekend has been beautiful summery weather with the temperature nudging up to 30 degrees Celsius in many places across the UK.

As is this case on days such as this I would suspect that half the population were stuck in traffic jams on the way to, or on the way back from, the seaside whilst the other half were in their garden having a barbecue!

We were with the latter 50%

Balloon over Matlock 2


Balloon over Matlock 2
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Balloon over Matlock 1


Balloon over Matlock 1
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Day out to Tatton Park



Here are the photos of our day out to Tatton Park in Cheshire.


Saturday, 22 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 52 - May 22nd 2010 - Tatton Park Gardens


Project 365 - Day 52 - May 22nd 2010 - Tatton Park Gardens
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

We went for a day out to Tatton Park which is in Knutsford in Cheshire.

It took ages getting their via The Cat & Fiddle Pub, Macclesfield and going very close to the Jodrell Bank Observatory - I can see a Jodrell Bank photo being my 365 pic later in the year maybe...

Anyhow, Tatton Park is a fab place which seems to be half privately owned and half National Trust run? Would be interested to know exactly how that works! Sadly the down side of this mixed ownership means that everything isn't free for National Trust members and what, at any other NT site, would have been a cheap day out, wasn't!

The gardens are truly beautiful - and that's from me, someone who really isn't that interested in gardens and gardening! - I'm no Alan Titchmarsh (thank goodness!).

The children's playground is very good and the land train to Home Farm is fun - even if Olivia had hysterics because the "naughty goat" bit her!

Thursday, 20 May 2010

Balloons


Balloons
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Pop Art Clock


Pop Art Clock
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

And a Pop Art twist to the clock!!

Project 365 - Day 50 - May 20th 2010 - Two minutes past seven...


Project 365 - Day 50 - May 20th 2010 - Two minutes past seven...
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

I didn't get a chance to take a photo while I was out and about today so took this photo of the clock in our hall.

Yes, it's from IKEA. Bought it years ago now.

Wednesday, 19 May 2010

Classical faves playlist!

Here is a playlist of some of my classical faves - there are, of course, loads more but this is a start!!

Project 365 - Day 49 - May 19th 2010 - Exam desks


Project 365 - Day 49 - May 19th 2010 - Exam desks
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Exam season is well and truly upon us now.

Year 11 and 12 are now all off on study leave and Year 13 leave at the end of next week - just before the half term holiday.

This is the Sports Hall at school set out for exams.

Tuesday, 18 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 48 - May 18th 2010 - Derbyshire Dales Sunrise


Project 365 - Day 48 - May 18th 2010 - Derbyshire Dales Sunrise
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Driving from Matlock via Wessington and Oakerthorpe to get to the M1 en route to Loughborough I took this photograph of the sun coming up over Alfreton!

Monday, 17 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 47 - May 17th 2010 - Winter Gardens Dome


Project 365 - Day 47 - May 17th 2010 - Winter Gardens Dome
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

I drive past County Hall most days for one reason or another.

I took this photo on my way home today.


Sunday, 16 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 46 - May 16th 2010 - Gel Fire


Project 365 - Day 46 - May 16th 2010 - Gel Fire
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

While we were at the Chatsworth Horse Trials yesterday we bought this Gel Fire.

This afternoon we tried it out in our fireplace...

Saturday, 15 May 2010

Buttercup


Buttercup
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Ferret racing


Ferret racing
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Wellies


Wellies
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Through the water...


Through the water...
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

We went to the Chatsworth International Horse Trials today.

Here are the photos I took.

Project 365 - Day 45 - May 15th 2010 - Chatsworth International Horse Trials


Project 365 - Day 45 - May 15th 2010 - Chatsworth International Horse Trials
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

As part of our Chatsworth membership this year we had tickets to the Horse Trials.

As a veggie I'm not entirely happy with stuff like this but it was a lovely day, with sunshine and the kids had fun!

Chatsworth International Horse Trials website

Friday, 14 May 2010

Glowing Elliot 2


Glowing Elliot 2
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Glowing Elliot 1


Glowing Elliot 1
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Glowing Olivia


Glowing Olivia
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Glowing Martha


Glowing Martha
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Project 365 - Day 44 - May 14th 2010 - Crich Tramway Museum


Project 365 - Day 44 - May 14th 2010 - Crich Tramway Museum
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

As ever on a Friday there was huge problems on the M1 coming back from Loughborough so I took a cross-country route via Derby and then up through Heanor and Crich.

This is a photo of the Tramway Museum in Crich from the end gate.

Thursday, 13 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 43 - May 13th 2010 - Clematis Montana


Project 365 - Day 43 - May 13th 2010 - Clematis Montana
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

On the front corner of our house is a tall plant - it looks rubbish for 51 weeks of the year (just about) but for one week it flowers and looks lovely.

Wednesday, 12 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 42 - May 12th 2010 - Wall


Project 365 - Day 42 - May 12th 2010 - Wall
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Today was bizarre - a day at school where I didn't teach a single lesson followed by a dash to get Elliot from his school in Matlock and take him to his swimming lesson in Bakewell, a return to my school for a meeting and then home via Sainsbury's!

This wall is outside Bakewell Swimming Pool!

Tuesday, 11 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 41 - May 11th 2010 - Cranes


Project 365 - Day 41 - May 11th 2010 - Cranes
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Alongside the A38, near Alfreton, I often see these Weldex cranes. It's a sign of being nearly home!

Monday, 10 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 40 - May 10th 2010 - Heart of Glass


Project 365 - Day 40 - May 10th 2010 - Heart of Glass
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Nothing to do with that Blondie song that's been driving me mad lately (it's was a set work for A2 Music Technology this year - the students had to do their own recording of it trying to replicate the original as closely as possible) - this glass heart is in our front window.

Sunday, 9 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 39 - May 9th 2010 - Conversion


Project 365 - Day 39 - May 9th 2010 - Conversion
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

The season may have finish but Bill Halstead keeps mini-rugby training and fun games going through the summer at Matlock Rugby Club.

Today there was games of Bulldog and Rounders as well as a tag rugby match including parents!

At a match against Tupton the coaches saw these mini posts and got a pair. So now, after scoring a try, they can attempt a conversion.

This is Elliot kicking a conversion. It didn't score!


www.pitchero.com/clubs/matlock/

Saturday, 8 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 38 - May 8th 2010 - The Wheel of Sheffield


Project 365 - Day 38 - May 8th 2010 - The Wheel of Sheffield
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

We went to Sheffield for the day; swimming at Ponds Forge followed by lunch at Nando's and, finally, a little bit of shopping.

www.worldtouristattractions.co.uk/wta_wheel_sheffield.php

Sudbury Hall - video

I made this video of last month's trip to Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire.

Friday, 7 May 2010

Southbank carousel & London Eye


Southbank carousel & London Eye
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

This is from a couple of years ago but several people have looked at it on Flickr recently.

Project 365 - Day 37 - May 7th 2010 - Washing Line


Project 365 - Day 37 - May 7th 2010 - Washing Line
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Another busy day at work and the results of the General Election (yes the British public are more stupid than even I had reaslised!).

Here is a photo I took through the blinds in the dining room of our washing line in the garden. Yes, I know, I added a lot of effects!

Thursday, 6 May 2010

Elliot with medal and certificate


Elliot with medal and certificate 2
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

It was the Matlock Rugby Club Junior Section Awards Evening today - here's Elliot with his medal and certificate.

Project 365 - Day 36 - May 6th 2010 - Polling Station


Project 365 - Day 36 - May 6th 2010 - Polling Station
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Today is, of course, General Election Day in the UK.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. The first exit poll predictions of who will form the next government are due at around five past ten.

I have a postal vote so don't get to go into the booth and vote. My vote went in a week ago.

This photo was taken as polling opened at the Imperial Rooms, Matlock. It's in the Derbyshire Dales constituency - a new constituency broadly the same as the old West Derbyshire one. The sitting Tory is likely to win despite his expenses, his payments to his wife and his house flipping. I guess that's democracy for you...

Wednesday, 5 May 2010

Faith and the election

As a result of a tweet, I was asked by @thesamosa to write a response to this article.

Here is my response:

“Faith” and the election

Religion has been sidelined in the current UK general election in a way that Americans, for example, could probably never understand. In the USA the idea that someone running for President could, publicly at least, be an atheist is just not conceivable to many and yet, at this election, we do have one party leader who is openly non-religious. This is a major breakthrough and has, perhaps, been one of many reasons for the sidelining of religion in political matters in recent months.

Personally I find it scary that the most powerful man in the world, a man who has his finger on the nuclear button and who controls the biggest economy in the world, also believes in a superbeing for which there is absolutely no evidence. Shouldn’t he be offered help, guidance and psychotherapy instead of being given the ability to blow up the world? Isn’t this putting the crazy man in charge? Isn’t “faith” in such matters simply a lunacy?

And yet the religions, despite their blatant lack of sense, fact and evidence, want to be taken seriously and want to hold sway at election time. To me this is wrong and dangerous for a number of reasons.

It seems, many people of “faith” abandon their “faith” when it gets to an election. We’ve all seen those little bracelets with WWJD on them – “What Would Jesus Do?” – well, let’s be honest, Jesus, had he existed (and there’s no contemporaneous evidence – but that’s another whole article!), would not be voting for any right-wing/capitalist party and yet few in the Tory ranks would say they are atheist or agnostic – most would say they are Christian. Jesus WOULD have voted for some sort of socialist party – the communists even.

The most religious parties are often the most bigoted and extremist parties. Take a look at parties like the British National Party (BNP_ and the English Defence League (EDL); these are both parties who many consider to be fundamentally racist, xenophobic and highly bigoted. Does this fit with the “love your neighbour” message of Christianity? Of course it doesn’t. And yet it is these extremist parties who, as well as the national flag, often proclaim their support and defence for the national religion. Why? Is it because religion is also fundamentally bigoted and divisive? I would say yes.

So why do people of “faith” struggle to see the contradiction that so often exists between their belief and their politics? This is harder to explain but, in my opinion, it is because they are confused, ignorant of the facts, brainwashed or simply lunatics. Take your pick!

Faith may have been justifiable in the 14th century when society as a whole was ignorant of so much about the universe but today, in the 21st century, it has no place.

It is right that, in this election, “faith” has been sidelined. We need to grab politics back from the mad men, the ignorant, the bigoted and the confused, and bring it into the modern world – a rational world of fact and the principle of genuinely loving your neighbour.

Project 365 - Day 35 - May 5th 2010 - Balloons over Derbyshire Dales


Project 365 - Day 35 - May 5th 2010 - Balloons over Derbyshire Dales
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

A very long day at work - 12 hours - collecting coursework, burning CDs, invigilating an exam and a meeting in Nottingham.

On my way home I saw these balloons from the A6.

Tuesday, 4 May 2010

Project 365 - Day 34 - May 4th 2010 - Mugs


Project 365 - Day 34 - May 4th 2010 - Mugs
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

A long and stressy day in Loughborough today with computer nightmares and coursework hassles.

Didn't get a chance to take a photo whilst I was out today.

These are our Denby mugs.

London Eye from Hungerford Bridge


London Eye from Hungerford Bridge
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

This is now my most viewed photo on Flickr.... it's overtaken the rollercoaster rescue pics from Alton Towers from a few weeks back!

Monday, 3 May 2010

My Project 365 - April 2010 Mosaic


My Project 365 - April 2010 Mosaic
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

A mosaic of the first month of my Project 365.

Home-made Sushi 4


Home-made Sushi 4
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Home-made Sushi 3


Home-made Sushi 3
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Home-made Sushi 2


Home-made Sushi 2
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Home-made Sushi 1


Home-made Sushi 1
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Project 365 - Day 33 - May 3rd 2010 - Riber Castle


Project 365 - Day 33 - May 3rd 2010 - Riber Castle
Originally uploaded by robsteadman

Riber Castle was built in 1862 by John Smedley who had made a fortune through the textiles industry and Smedley's Hydro (which is now County Hall).

This photo is taken from Jackson's Tor.


For more information about Riber Castle click here.