Sax Appeal

We're enjoying some really great weather here at the moment and yesterday was no exception. We headed into town in the afternoon, not something we usually do on a Saturday due to the crowds, but it was lovely. We strolled around, went in a few shops and had an ice cream (the most important thing when enjoying the sun!) There were buskers around and about. This guy was going for it with his saxophone, helping to spread a bit of early summer cheer.

Tomorrow is Theme Day across the CDPB community and the theme for June is 'Feet'. Put your best foot forward and join in. Remember there is no need to sign up, just copy the code, so no excuses!

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Trolley Park

Here is another photo of the not-so-nice side of Regency Cheltenham - shopping trolleys and rubbish. This was taken just off of the Lower High Street, by the bridge that carries the former Honeybourne track, now a cycle route. I really like all the elements in this shot - the brickwork, the iron gate, the rubbish and, of course, the trolleys. I know its sort of perverse, but I quite like it when I stumble across a photo op like this. Makes a change from my usual fare, though in some parts of town this is common place.
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Sky Watch Friday

Another photo taken by P at Beckford, and perfect for Sky Watch (hope you don't mind P!) I imagine when people think of England they conjure up a view like this - rolling English countryside.

To see skies around the world, or to join in, head over to the Sky Watch Friday Blog.

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Blue Tit

Another "at last" photo. Last week I managed the yellow taxi and this week the elusive Blue Tit! I mentioned quite a while back that a pair of these little birds were feeding in my garden but that I'd only seen them twice, and that I wasn't ready with my camera. Well this time I was, sort of. I saw one of them feeding and had to leg it into the lounge to get my camera and creep back, hoping not to disturb the little chap. I managed this one half decent photo through the window (I think the window needs cleaning!) Anyway, that's it today. Just thought I'd share.

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Walking In The Air

The subject of today's post isn't the signpost with the pigeon sitting on the top (lovely as it is) but the skywalk in the background. I know many cities around the world have these, some to protect people from extreme cold winter weather others to link buildings together. That is what this one does. It links the Regent Arcade shopping centre with Cavendish House department store. The glass covered walkway bridges Regent Street below and is home to Cafe Roma, a nice place for a light bite or a refreshing drink, as long as you don't mind the passing shoppers and the traffic below!

Do you have a skywalk in your home town?
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Tables And Chairs 2

A few other DP bloggers are taking part in this series and not being one to come up with anything original myself I jumped on the bandwagon! These wet tables and chairs were outside a small cafe in Regent Street. Not surprisingly nobody was choosing to eat al fresco on that day!

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Red Brick Workshops

These old workshops and lockups are in a narrow side street off of the Lower High Street. I bet they've seen a lot of change over the years and I imagine that they have been used for all sorts of different things. I like the contrast between the green door and the red bricks.

We are still enjoying the Bank Holiday Weekend! Spent a great night at the pub quiz last night with J, H and S. Did you know that Roger Daltrey was a former James Bond?! To much drink and not enough concentration! Today we are going to my mum's for a roast lamb dinner. Delicious! Hope you enjoyed your weekend too.
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Lakeside

Today a photo taken by Phoebe's mum, P. Hope she doesn't mind me using it! This is a view of the lake in Beckford Nature Reserve. I haven't been there but it looks a lovely spot for a walk.

Sorry for the lack of visits from myself to your blogs. Its the long Bank Holiday Weekend and we are spending it catching up with visiting friends and family. Shame I have to work today but that's the way of the world! Enjoy your weekend.

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Green Pot

One last photo from the Hotel Kandinsky. This is one of a pair of old faded pots outside the main entrance, at the foot of the stairs. I hope that they don't scrap them in the hotel makeover.

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Hoarding Art

As I mentioned yesterday the hoardings surrounding the construction site that is Hotel Kandinsky have been brightened up with art. The paintings have been created by local school children and some, like this one, are really good. I like how they've been 'framed'.

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Fine Details

They certainly knew how to finish off a building in days gone by didn't they? You wouldn't see fantastic detailed sculpture like this on new buildings. Does anyone out there know what this styled topping is called? I have no clue. It looks like feathers or leaf fronds...

It is one of several, high up on the Hotel Kandinsky in Montpellier, which is undergoing a complete refurbishment inside and out. The hotel shut in September last year and is expected to reopen in the Autumn. Tomorrow I'll show you the very artistic hoardings that surround the site.

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Castle College

Not really a college but a University Of Gloucestershire campus - Francis Close Hall. The site used to be St Pauls College for Teacher Training but was renamed in 1979 after the Rev. Francis Close, who was known in the town for his involvement in education. The buildings then became Cheltenham College Of Higher Education, before the college gained university status a few years ago. The old part of the campus, shown here, dates back to 1849. Recently new buildings and student halls of residence have been constructed, adding a nice contrast to these Tudor Gothic ones. The photo below shows the depth of the complex and amongst these turrets and sturdy stone walls is a large courtyard garden.

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Taxi!

New York meets London in Cheltenham.

At last I've captured the elusive yellow taxi! This innocent looking vehicle has been taunting me for months. Its been driving me to distraction. I've seen it travelling around town, I've seen it going up and down my road, I wanted it for the yellow theme day, but I never managed a photo. Until now. Here it is parked in the taxi rank on The Prom in the middle of town. My quest is over. My next challenge? To join Babooshka and Gail's Man in the hunt for the white dog poo!

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Old Tree

Just on the outskirts of the town centre is Clarence Square - a little square of grass, fenced of from the world and accessed by a wrought iron gate. It's surrounded by the Regency town houses that Cheltenham is famous for. As I wandered through the small park I spotted this tree, or rather what is left of this tree. At first I thought it was just a carved sculpture, then I realised its a carved sculpture created from a tree that is still rooted. Tree conservationists in Cheltenham aren't in the habit of letting trees be carved up. I guess the tree was in need of felling and someone with a creative mind came up with this. It looks good, better than it being chipped or used as firewood, and it felt so smooth.

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Greyhound Bus

Not quite the famous Greyhound buses that run in America but a poor-mans UK version from way back when. This Greyhound ran from Bristol back in the day (now its all National Express buses.) This one was in Cheltenham's Prom yesterday but I'm not sure why. If it had been carrying passengers it would have been round the corner at the Royal well bus station. Anyway, I liked the look of its retro design and thought it was worthy of sharing here.

On a completely different subject - is anyone else having a problem getting onto the CDPB site? Its been playing up for about the last three days. I did manage to get onto it briefly before it vanished. I saw that someone had posted a comment in the Technical Forum about the site being slow, I tried to post a response but that's when the disappearance occurred! If you can get onto it let the powers that be know there is a problem out here! Cheers.

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Alien Flower

Self praise is the best form in my book and I'm going to go all out today and congratulate myself on what I think could be my best macro photos yet! Modesty is my middle name! I 'borrowed' this unusual looking flower from a garden I was walking by. I've no idea what it is but it made a fantastic subject.

The winner of the best top tip on Thursday was Jackie from Glasgow DP. Her top tip was - 'Ensure you have a balanced diet. Hold a cake in both hands.' Something I think we can all learn from!
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Not All Pretty

Just to show you that its not all leafy parks, Regency buildings and posh ladies luncheoning in Cheltenham. Like all towns and cities we have problem areas and grotty corners. This is a boarded up building that has been empty for as long as I can remember. Not pretty but reality.

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Top Tip

As a complete contrast to yesterdays post here is the sign outside the neighbouring St Paul's Tavern. Forget churches, this is my kind of religion! What wise words!

The St Paul's area of town has a large student population, mainly due to the rows of terraced houses that are rented out as student accommodation and the fact that one of Gloucestershire University campuses is in that part of town. Although the pub claims to be a local it is more or less a student pub.

So, have any of you got a top tip? The best suggestion will win a prize! Oooo! Winner to be announced on Saturday.

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St Paul's Church

What can I tell you about the unusual looking St Paul's church? Well, its in one of Cheltenham's most deprived areas - St Paul's, its Cheltenham's only Greek Revival style building, it was designed by John Forbes and dates back to 1831, and was the towns first 'free' church. I think that covers the basics.

It has some really interesting architectural features - some that are familiar to Cheltenham, others that are unique.

These days the church promotes itself for the work it does within the community - offering help to struggling families, youth clubs for young people and workshops for locals. St Paul's really is at the heart of its community.
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Decked Out Chairs

Not much of a seaside view from these deckchairs - they're outside Habitat, over looking the Cheltenham ring road! Nice bright colours though, which contrast with the grey slabs of The Brewery. I wonder if the staff have the usual problems associated with putting up deckchairs when they put them out in the morning?!

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Regent Roof Update

Dedicated followers of Cheltenham DP will know that I have an ongoing obsession with the refurbishment of the Regent Arcade. For those not in the loop, the arcade is the main shopping centre in Cheltenham and for the past 18 months has been undergoing cosmetic surgery, the main procedure being the replacement of the arched poly-plastic roof with a flat glass one. For months now the place has been protected from the elements by plastic sheeting, wooden boards and scaffolding. I managed to sneak this photo and saw that work isn't really progressing.

In the UK we have several home makeover TV shows, the main ones being Grand Designs and Property Ladder. The story of Regent Arcade reminds me of these. The presenters turns up in the spring, the homeowners tell them of their plans. They are asked "how long will it take?" The answer - "we'll be in by Christmas." The presenters revisit at Christmas to find half a house, no roof, rain lashing down, water pouring in and, because the homeowners have no clue what they are doing, they've plastered the walls and put down wooden floors - which are now ruined!

I'll update you next when the glass arrives. Next Christmas!

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View

The view across Cheltenham from the top of Leckhampton Hill. In the far distance, on the left, you can see the Malvern Hills. On very clear days you can see the Black Mountains on the Welsh border!
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Windy Fish

Next to the spinning daisy from yesterday was this wind sock fish, and they were both in the outdoor eating area at Pizza Express. They certainly brightened the place up.

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Spinning Daisy

What could be easier to care for than this flower? No need to feed or water, just add wind!
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Wild Flowers

Today - just wild flowers in the long grass under a tree.

Some of you might be interested by this new BBC blog - Viewfinder.
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Painting and Decorating

You've got to feel for this chap, painting the front of Cavendish House. The strip of black that he is sprucing up stretches the full length of the store front, about 100 feet. And all he had to paint it with was a small brush! When I took this photo he had done about five feet, not much more to go then!
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Foodies Heaven

As I mentioned yesterday we visited the Tewkesbury Food Festival on Saturday. The event is in its 5th year and took place in the shadow of the towns famous Abbey. If you like food (and who doesn't?!) then this was the place to be. There were over 70 stalls in the main Food Hall selling any food you could imagine, with the majority being locally produced.


There were plenty of samples to taste to help to get you to part with your cash and lots to see and do - celebrity chefs, craft tent, music, champagne bar, pig roast, a theatre where demonstrations were taking place, to name but a few.


We bought a few things like the chocolate covered ginger below, which is now just a memory. Delicious!

Black And White

Late post today due to a late night and hangover! Its bank holiday Monday in the UK today so last night we had some friends over for a few drinks, which turned into a lot of drinks! I was planning to show Tewkesbury Food Festival but couldn't stomach it, it'll have to wait until tomorrow! Instead here is a nice simple building.
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Blue Clematis

What a striking flower! This clematis is flowering all over some trellis where I work. Beautiful. Enjoy your Sunday.
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Changing View - May & 500th

Its the second of the month and that means only one thing at Cheltenham DP - Changing View! At long last the wintry branches have regenerated into spring abundance. Its been a long time coming but spring has finally sprung and the Prom is covered in an umbrella of green. To see how the view has changed click on 'changing view' in the labels below.

Today also marks my 500th post! I can't believe where the time has gone. Who would have thought that back in October 2007 I'd still be here?! Thanks to all the visitors, followers and commenters - you make it all worth while.
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Theme Day - Shadows

Me and my shadow

The first of the month means CDPB Theme Day and the theme for the first day of May is Shadows. I've never appeared in person on this blog, until today. Sort of! This is my shadow, its always with me, sometimes hiding in the shadows, sometimes on full view. This photo is also a photo of desperation! I just couldn't find what I wanted - a nice pattern made from shadows, so you get me instead!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Come back tomorrow for my 500th post and Changing View. Time flies.
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