Fancy Bank

I've shown you parts of the fancy HSBC building before (here and here) but here it is in all its glory. Standing at the corner of the Promenade and the High Street it is one of the town centres oldest and most ornate buildings. The higher up the building you look the more detail you see. I wonder why that is? Maybe its to do with presenting to Heaven. Who knows.

Don't forget its CDPB Theme Day tomorrow. The theme is Yellow and you don't have to sign up to join in, just copy the code into your post, so there are no excuses!

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Horny

A rather intense looking Rhinoceros at Nature In Art, as featured the other week. I remember going to a zoo when I was a kid and leaning over the railings to pat a Rhino. The thing I remember most about that day was a boy whose red baseball cap fell off his head, landed in the enclosure and the rhino ate it. Funny the things we remember. This begs the question - what bizarre childhood memories do you have?

If you saw yesterdays post and want to know the difference between a scooter and a moped check the comments for Chucks explanation. Thanks Chuck!

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Blue Scooter

No, this isn't the latest parking initiative from Cheltenham Borough Council, its a shop window display (you know I have an obsession!) This powder blue Lambretta is always on display in this ladies clothes shop. I'm sure our very own Chuck at 'One A Day - Mostly Seattle' will enjoy this one and perhaps he can tell me the difference between a scooter and a moped!

For my Two Things Challenge entry this week see last week. I got confused!
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Primary Colours

Here is the Primary Colours Day Nursery in Montpellier. It is one of the many nursery schools in and around Cheltenham that occupy former residential buildings. This one is a four story dwelling over looking Montpellier Gardens. I really like the coloured (primary coloured) shutters and front door. The shutters are closed as I took this photo on a Saturday, they don't tend to keep the children shut in the dark!
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Sky Watch Friday

Pylons At Sunset

I took this photo over a year ago and thought I had already posted it, but I hadn't - until today! All I can say about the shot is that it shows electricity pylons and the sun setting behind the fluffy clouds in the distance. There you have it! Have a great weekend.

To join in with Sky Watch, or to see the sky the world over, head across to the Sky Watch Friday Blog.
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Peacock

Just a random peacock photo from the old archive today. Aren't they an amazing bird? Just look at all those colours, no wonder they are well known for being show-offs. Wouldn't you be if you looked like that?!
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Shoeshine

Here is another installation from the windows of the Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum, making up part of The Open West contemporary art competition. This piece is the creation of Henny Burnett and is entitled The Shoemaker's Shrine.

Burnett says "This installation is a response to Northamptonshire's shoe industry both past and present. The central piece consists of hanging cast latex shoes suspended in a cluster, each lit by its own pool of light. Entrapped within the translucent casts are various pressed flowers, field grasses and butterflies which make reference to the Victorian "secret Language of Flowers." A memorial to the shoe industry's Victorian heyday."

I liked this piece for its simplicity, though I'm sure it was far from simple to create.

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On The Edge

Its amazing what you find on your way to the library. All these little white plastic men were lined up in the window of the Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum. The background was black so the window perfectly reflected St Matthews Church, opposite the museum. I've added to the art!

The installation is entitled On The Edge and was created by Swedish born artist Charlotte Jonerheim. She is one of 40 artists selected to exhibit in The Open West, a competition for contemporary arts. Submissions include film, painting, drawing and sculpture. Just seven of the entrants were selected to show their work at the Art Gallery & Museum, with all exhibiting at the Pitville Campus of the University of Gloucestershire. Over 2300 works were submitted by 380 UK and international artists. The exhibition runs until the end of the month.

Jonerheim says "Exploring detail is what often begins the process. I am not interested in an object per se, my fascination lies in its multiplication - in tens, hundreds, thousands or tens of thousands! An important aspect of my practice is the way I assemble my work. Grids, patterns and structure play an important role in transforming apparently insignificant objects into an entity in their own right which then attains its own object sense.My work is obsessive and time consuming, however I find a great sense of calm in repetition. My concerns also lie in the surface of my work. This can be manipulated by placing a small object in a specific order thereby creating an unexpected result."
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When Will I Be Famous

Fancy a new suit? Want to be treated like an extra from Are You Being Served? Then The Famous is the place for you. Well known for being the best specialist menswear shop in Gloucestershire, they boast knowledgeable and experienced staff. The Famous was established in 1886 and its still in its original premises on the High Street, still being run by the same family. They also do formal hire and school uniforms. I remember my mum taking me here to get my first school blazer, ready to start senior school. As you'd expect the blazer was too big but I was told "you'll grow into it!"

"Always look after the man who wants to buy a collar stud; he may want a shirt some day"

Mr. A.N. Cole (founder)

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Two Things Challenge - Foot / Step

I wasn't really prepared for this weeks challenge so I had to have a root around in the archives and this is the best I could manage - rabbit prints in the snow! Almost on theme but not quite! Oh well, must try harder next week.

To join in with, or to see better interpretations of, Two Things Challenge head over to the blog.

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Hellebore On Earth

These Hellebores, or Christmas Roses, are still flowering even though spring has begun. I don't know if they are late due to the cold weather we had in February or if they are supposed to flower in March! You normally see them in white but other colours, like this pink one, are now quite common. They certainly add to the springy feeling that is in the air. At last!

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Sky Watch Friday

Peach Sky

We have been treated to some lovely spring weather over the last few days and last nights sunset created this wonderful pastel coloured sky. What more can I say? Mother Nature is good.

If you want to join in with Sky Watch, or to see all the other views of the sky, head over to the Sky Watch Friday Blog.

The winner of yesterdays sheep related pun/joke challenge is...drum roll please..."Ewe down there - must grin & bear it!" from Tash at Palos Verdes Daily Photo. Pun-tastic winner!

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Sheepish Grin

Smile. On second thoughts, don't bother! I'm not sure if this smiling sheep is cute, scary or just plain disturbing. Whatever, she certainly isn't camera shy!

Best sheep related pun or joke wins a Cheltenham postcard. The winner will be revealed tomorrow.

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Little Birdie

I'm back! Thanks to blogger for working its magic while I was away and thanks to everyone who has visited and commented too.

For a while now I've been trying to photograph a pair of Blue Tits (yes, we all know the jokes!) that have been feeding in my garden, but to no avail. The little buggers are too quick for me. I'll have to persevere...anyway, back to the photo. Instead I bring you a little House Sparrow. Notice that he is sat still in the spring sunshine, perfect for my photographic abilities! Anyone got any top tips on photographing birds?

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Stickle Brick

Last photo today from Nature In Art. This simple piece was quite impressive. Just some bleached driftwood attached to the red brick wall. Very effective.

If you want to see a close up of this head over to Macro World.
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Whale Of A Time

If you've been visiting last week then you'll know I'm not here and post are appearing magical. Over the past few days I've been sharing some photos I took at Nature In Art last Sunday.

This whales tail was just amazing sticking out of the ground. I think it must have been life sized as it was huge!

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Two Things Challenge - Window / View

Its Sunday and its time for Two Things Challenge. As with my other posts over the past few days this post too is appearing by blogger magic. It continues my series of photos I took at Nature In Art last weekend.

The building had loads of windows, like the one above, and if I could have taken photos inside the building the shot below shows you the view I would have seen!

How does the artist go about carving a piece like this?!

If you want to join in with the Two Things Challenge, or to see who else is taking part this week, head over to the Two Things Challenge site.

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Unearthly Flowers

Over the last few Saturdays I've shown a few flower photos and today is no different. Well it is, these are giant alien looking blooms and seed heads. I love the colour contrast in the above photo.

These giant (ten foot tall!) poppy seed heads look like perfect replicas.

And here is a colourful close up.

I'm away until the middle of next week but posts will appear by magic.
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Invasion!

As I said yesterday I couldn't take any photos inside Nature In Art but there was no stopping me in the grounds surrounding the building! There were all sorts of different nature-inspired sculptures outside, and over the next few days I'll show you a few of them.

I love this oversized bug made from all sorts of scrap metal. I couldn't see the name of the artist anywhere, and there is no reference on Nature In Art's website, so for now he or she will remain nameless. What I do know is that this is a very creative way to recycle!

I'm away until the middle of next week but post will appear by magic.
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Wallsworth Hall

Locally this magnificent Georgian mansion is better known as Nature In Art. This grand house is home to art creations inspired by nature. Its situated between Cheltenham and Gloucester, and I've never been there before! Until this past weekend. Nature In Art has been host to a very special exhibition over the last few months - Wildlife Photographer Of the Year. The exhibit is on a national tour, as well as being on display at the Natural History Museum in London. I just had to see it, nothing of such note ever comes here and it would have been rude not too!

The photographs on show were fantastic but, unfortunately, no photos were allowed inside the building, so you'll have to make do with the outside.

Find out more about the Wildlife Photographer exhibition here. If you can't make it to London or, if its not coming to a venue near you, here is the winning entry by Steve Winter. That link will also lead you to all the other fantastic photos.

I'm away until the middle of next week but posts will appear by magic.
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Watching Over You

Looming large in the background is Eagle Tower and, as a complete contrast, the statue of King William IV in the foreground (click the links for previous posts with all the info you could ever need!) Not much more to say other than old and new make an interesting photo.

Organ Grinder

Another "spotted on the High Street" post. The chap in the hat was hard at work turning the wheel of his musical organ. He wasn't drawing a big crowd but it was creating a nice atmosphere in the centre of town. Although the organ looks a bit home-made, what with the pram wheels, it did sound quite tuneful. And even though the organ grinder was deep in conversation with the passer by, he kept on turning that wheel.

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To Infinity And Beyond!

Well, what else could I have titled today's post?! These guys, dressed as Woody and Buzz Lightyear from the Pixar animated film Toy Story, were on the High Street doing their bit for Comic Relief. They were selling Red Nose Day balloons to kids and adults alike.

For those that don't know Comic Relief is a charity started by Richard Curtis (writer of Four Weddings And A Funeral, Notting Hill etc), and other comedians, in the 80's. Every other year Comic Relief organises Red Nose Day (this years is on Friday 13th March) which see celebrities and the public doing all sorts of mad and courageous things to raise money (like a group of celebs climbing Kilimanjaro this year - they have raised over one and a half million pounds!) and wearing red noses! To read more about the charity, that is working to end poverty, head here and find out more about Red Nose Day here. But, most importantly, Do Something Funny For Money!
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Two Things Challenge - Stripes / Stars

I thought I'd make the effort to join in with the Two Things Challenge this week, but what to post for Stripes/Stars?! How about the American flag? A shop window display? No. A collection of my jazzy socks! Perfect!

I think this could be the most random photo I've posted to date. I'm always pushing the boundaries! To see what others have come up with, or to join in, head over to the Two Things Challenge site.
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Daffodil

I think its safe to say its officially spring. The trees are in bud, the blossom is flowering, the bulbs are bursting and the flowers are...well...flowering! I don't think anything says spring more so than the humble Daffodil. In Cheltenham the parks, gardens and roadside verges are beginning to wash over with a sea of yellow. Beautiful.

I wander'd lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

By William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

Sky Watch Friday

Half Moon

I took this photo from my front window the other night. Its not the clearest shot of the moon ever seen but I thought it was worthy of an outing on Sky Watch Friday. Just remember that wherever you are in the world the moon is always the same. Just remember that there are bigger things than us out there.

To join in with Sky Watch Friday, or to see other views of the sky, head over to the Sky Watch Friday blog.

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Barbers Pole

Dipping into the archives again today. I actually forgot about this one, I thought I'd already posted it. Its Vallenders Barbers in Suffolk Parade. Its not the best shot in the world, I just liked the way the barbers red and white pole stood out from the grey of the shop front and the grey of the guy in the advertising photo. I liked the composition. Hope you do too.
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Steeple

Not a lot to say today. I can't even remember the name of this church (standards are slipping!), although I do know its in Montpellier Street, opposite the Ladies College. I just like the way it points straight up to that blue sky. If I can think of the name I'll update you all, as a taster its more than likely called St 'somebodys' Church!

UPDATE....

Thanks to Tash at Palos Verdes DP for doing the job for me! She found the name of the Church, its St Andrew's. And the spire was built in 1885. I told you my standards were slipping! Thanks Tash.
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Little Italy

I've not been feeling very inspired of late and was looking through my archive to find something to post today. I found this photo, which I took in January. The reason I photographed this building was due to the columns at the top, I thought they looked interesting. As I've looked more closely at the shot I've realised the building is in fact a hotel (I had no clue it even existed!) I typed in their web address and found Strozzi Palace - a real hidden gem. This quote from their site says it all - "We're chic and boutique - with modern Italian flair. Built in 1894, our amazing Grade 2 listed 'Palazzo' façade is based on the beautiful Palazzo Strozzi – one of the most important examples of renaissance architecture in Florence." Visit Strozzi Palace here. Its posh, even for Cheltenham!

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Changing View - March

Now don't get too excited about this months Changing View as it hasn't changed much since last month or the month before that! That's winter for you. This photo marks the seventh installment of the series that sets out to record the changes over a year. I'm hoping by next month that there will be leaves on the trees and flowers in the borders. Fingers crossed!

To see how the scene has changed over the months click on 'changing view' in the labels below.

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Theme Day - Glass

Its the first of the month which means its Theme Day across the CDP community and the theme for March is glass. This theme didn't inspire me at all and if you read yesterdays post you'll know I didn't have a photo for today. All I could think of were windows or glasses! But fortune favours those that leave things to the last minute (or something like that!) and while I was getting a haircut yesterday I spotted this glass jar in front of the mirror - a winner on two fronts! I love the colour of the blue liquid barbicide (it sounds like something you are accused of if you've killed a hairdresser!)

To see what others have come up with for the theme click here.

Come back tomorrow to see the next installment of my Changing View series.
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