Amusing Mechanic

This is just one of those posts that I had to share, not the best photos but they say it all. The above shot shows one of the children's rides in the Regent Arcade and the photo below tells the story. I can just imagine the mechanic sucking his breath in through his teeth and saying "its gonna cost you"!

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Chairs And Tables

Today's post is in honour of Virginia at Birmingham, Alabama Daily Photo and her fantastic photos in her rapidly growing Table/Chair series. Having often been inspired by her style of photography I thought I'd go a step further today and go for an outright copy! (Hope you don't mind V!)

Over the past few years nearly all of Cheltenham's restaurants and bars have added outdoor seating areas - some a few chairs, others a whole dining room. As the weather here has been summer-like already the al fresco eating areas have emerged early, but the day I got out, camera in hand, the heavens opened and diners were forced back indoors. But what to do with all those chairs? Tip them up and hope for the best!

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Repetition

Lets have some form and repetition today. These artificial topiary balls (yes, they're plastic!) are lined up outside one of the jewellery shops on the Prom. I had to be quick taking this photo as the store has a security guard stood inside, behind the glass door. I think its locked and you have to be let in, that's how posh it is. Anyway...he was giving me a strange look, especially when I looked up for the security camera and stood underneath it to take the photo (I know how to avoid detection!) He probably though I was casing the joint!

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Enjoying The Sun

Sun seekers soaking up the rays in Imperial Gardens. Although we have spring flowers, summer seems to have arrived and cut the first season of the year short, not that anyone is complaining!

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Two Things Challenge - Open / Road

Not the worlds most exciting photo but it fits the challenge this week! This is the M5 motorway that runs through Gloucestershire, linking the Midlands with the South West. Cheltenham is accessed by two junctions, Junction 10 and this one, Junction 11. There we are, that's it - not the most exciting post in the world either!

To see how others have interpreted this weeks Challenge, or to join in, head over to the Two Things Challenge blog.

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Grand Entrance

I think if there were a competition for best door/entrance then this one would win. Its just shouting "look at me!" All that blue and gold, very grand. Nothing more to say other than Alma House is on Rodney Road and the Regency building is used as offices.

Enjoy your weekend.

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Pastel Pansies

Spring colour in the Long Garden in front of the Municipal Offices.
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This Old House

Its weird to think that these ruins on top of Leckhampton Hill were once home to someone. It must have been deserted many many years ago but the main features of the cottage are still there to see - the fire place and chimney breast, the space where doors once stood and the remnants of dividing walls. The stone floors are now just rubble covered with a carpet of weeds and there are twisted trees growing out of what is left of the roof. It was a sad sight.

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Another Lambretta

Having never seen one in town until the other week now I find another Lambretta. Actually I didn't really find so much as stumble across. Anyway, this retro ride was parked on the pavement by the Municipal Offices, all blue and lit up by the afternoon sun. Very nice.

And if you are wondering about Rock Oil, its a UK based lubricant manufacturer.

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All Ears

Ever wonder what Mr Spock's brother gets up to on a Monday afternoon? Well, now you know the answer - he plays the recorder on Cheltenhams Prom! I think its safe to say this giant elf is the most unusual looking busker I've seen in town, although I've seen far stranger street performers in London. He seemed to be enjoying himself, as did a couple of toddlers who were dancing around in front of him. I resisted the urge to join in!

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Dandelion

I suppose the humble dandelion must be one of the worlds most recognisable weeds. They are a bit scruffy looking, have a long tap root, seed themselves all over the place and grow anywhere. This clump had taken root in between some paving slabs. I like the contrast between the flowers and the litter in the background, behind the fence. Not the prettiest image but its out there to be photographed.

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Two Things Challenge - Free / Range

Thought I'd have a go at the Two Things Challenge this week. At the moment there is an advert on TV here for Anchor Butter with the strap line 'the free range butter company.' Surely all butter is free range as the milk used comes from cows that graze on pasture, otherwise there would be no milk and therefore no butter! Anyway...here are some free range sheep, grazing on top of Leckhampton Hill. Do you count sheep to get to sleep?

If you want to join in with Two Things, or to see how others have interpreted this weeks challenge, head over to the Two Things Challenge blog.

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What's Black And White And Red All Over?

Today's photo! Or a newspaper. Get it? Black, white, red all over. Oh, never mind! I spotted this bright red door the other day, well its hard not too. Lots of the Regency buildings around Cheltenham have basements and cellars that are accessed by doors on the outside of the buildings, down steep stairs. These steps had iron railings with this ornate decoration.
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Sky Watch Friday

Kite and blue sky

While up on the top of Leckhampton Hill on Monday we saw lots of things going on - walkers, cyclists, families playing, picnics and kite fliers. There were a group of teenagers sitting around watching one of their own trying to control this large professional kite. The top of the hill is always windy, even in summer, and perfect for kite flying. At times the lad on the end of the strings was struggling to stay with his two feet firmly on the ground!

To join in with Sky Watch Friday, or to see more views from around the world, head over to the Sky Watch Friday Blog.

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Which Way?

On Bank Holiday Monday the weather was beautiful so we took full advantage and headed off to Leckhampton Hill for a walk. The hill top has everything - great views, woodland, grassland, wildlife and farms, perfect for blowing away the cobwebs and getting back to nature. Across the top of Leckhampton Hill you'll also find part of the Cotswold Way, a trail which runs from the market town of Chipping Campden in the north to the city of Bath in the south. The Trail is 102 miles (164 km) long, and runs for most of its length on the Cotswold escarpment (hence the name!) It passes through some wonderfully picturesque villages and has some magnificent views across Gloucestershire and neighbouring Counties. One day (when I feel really motivated!) it would be good to walk part of it, even just a stretch between a couple of country pubs!

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Lost Property

Ever got home from a days shopping and wonder where your bags had gone? No, me neither! But this forgetful shopper must have. Imagine the scene, tired aching feet, a handy bench for a rest, heading home exhausted, shopping bags, what shopping bags?! Oops!

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Cex Sells

Cheltenham's latest sex shop...sorry...Cex shop has just opened in Pitville Street. Computer Exchange buys and sells electronic equipment including consoles, DVDs, games and cameras. They have around 80 stores in the UK, as well as branches in Spain and New York. The idea behind Cex is quite a good one - need extra cash, sell something to them, want something electronic a bit cheaper, buy something from them. In these times of money worries it seems a good idea, like a modern day Pawn Brokers.

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Stone Stairs

It's been a long time since I've posted a black and white photo, time to rectify that. These stone stair leads up to the entrance of Pizza Express, opposite the Town Hall. I haven't eaten there in quite a while but the food is good and the restaurant is really nice. I like the simple design of the railings. What do you think?
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Easter Bunny

Its Easter Sunday, the day the fluffy bunny leaves Easter eggs, its also the day to do with something religious but that has gone the same way as Christmas. Anyway, this rather overdressed rabbit is in the shop window (excuse my obsession) of Vinegar Hill. The shop at the end of the Prom opened at the end of last year and sells overpriced accessorise (notice the price in the basket) for the home and garden, though their Christmas stock was nice their Easter goods are a bit OTT!

Enjoy Easter day and don't eat too many chocolate eggs!

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Egg-cellent Window

Hope you are enjoying the Easter Weekend. This Easter themed window display is in the Orange store (mobile phones, not fruit!) on the High Street. Its very colourful and captures the main (non-religious) features - eggs, chicks and bunny rabbits!

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Chick

Its Good Friday, time for all things Easter related! These little yellow chicks make an annual appearance at this time of year, decorating cakes and shop displays. I don't actually know anyone who has one apart from me, and I didn't until yesterday ( I 'borrowed' this one from a display where I work!) Here in the UK we don't tend to go in for lots of Easter decorations, its all about the chocolate eggs! Yummy!

More Easter related photos over the weekend.

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Old Doors

I'll start today's post with my recurring line - not a lot to say about this one. Regular readers will know that in Cheltenham we have a large department store called Cavendish House (Cav, if you're local!) and its all very grand and upmarket, so these doors are definitely not their front doors! These ones are on a dilapidated building, on the road that runs behind the store. The building that holds these doors up is now used as a place that teaches martial arts but I bet that it was once Cav's store shed. Just call me Sherlock!

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The Wheels On The Bus...

...Aren't going round! Not on this bus anyway. I spotted running repairs taking place to this broken down Stagecoach bus on Pitville Street. That guy under the bus is a mechanic and not someone who has been squashed! There weren't any passengers waiting on the bus, I presume they had been transferred to another one, so at least Stagecoach didn't have to deal with irate customers!

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Steps And Railings

Steps and iron railings like these could be in front of Regency houses in Bath, London or Edinburgh but obviously these are in Cheltenham. The town houses on Imperial Square have a great view, they overlook Imperial Gardens and the Town Hall, and they are one of the towns best examples of fine architecture.
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Late Post

Just like this Postman collecting the post I'm late today! But, as I always say, better late than never. This Postie was collecting the mail from one of the letter boxes on the Prom this afternoon. He was probably collecting it on time, its normally the deliveries that are late!
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Yellow Star

A really close close-up today. I love the contrast between the cerise pink and sunny yellow of this primrose. We all need bit of colour in our lives and today I give you your daily dose!
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Bus Stop

I think I'll call this a random filler photo. This was a contender for 'Theme Day - Yellow' this month, but I had stronger yellow shots, now its just a street scene photo of a bus stop. I quite like the depth of field in this photo and the way it leads you to the red bus. Anyway, have a great weekend.
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Green Light

I've been meaning to photograph this light for ages. It hangs, along with half a dozen others, in the window of Jones' Shoe Shop on The Prom. The lights are so unusual. They serve no purpose, other than decoration, but they just make a display of shoes, laid out in the shop window, simply interesting.

I have two prominent memories of Jones's shoe shop. One - going there as a kid to get fitted for school shoes. We had to go upstairs to the children's department, where they had a rocking horse. Always good fun! Two - my dad coming home one Christmas Eve with a bag of Christmas table decorations that came from the window display of Jones'! He was passing by and saw them packing up, ready for the sales on Boxing Day, and asked if he could have them! Well, if you don't ask you don't know!

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Changing View - April

The second of the month marks the next installment of the 'Changing View' series here at Cheltenham Daily Photo. This photo is the eighth of the same scene. Last month I promised green trees in the view but unfortunately Mother Nature isn't playing, so you get a hint of green on brown branches. Next month I'm sure it'll be different! One bonus this month though - you can just make out the pink and blue primroses in the Long Garden, in front of the Municipal Offices.

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

Click on the photo for more detail

Its the first of April and its that Theme Day time of the month. As you can see from my photo collage I liked this theme (and that's not an April Fool!) For once I've been prepared and have been taking lots of yellow photos for the last three weeks. I had so many to choose from that I couldn't decide (a first for me on Theme Day) so I got creative.

Here's a run down of the photos - New gas pipes on the High Street, litter poster and bin, macro of a yellow blossom, more gas pipes and a yellow rubbish sack, CCTV sign, fire hydrant marker, a little yellow birdie, Forsythia bush in full flower, divide on the ramp of the Regent Arcade car park, and, finally, Snappy Snaps photo shop on the Lower High Street.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.
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