Terminator!

Not the best looking chap in the world! This larger than life statue is advertising the film Terminator Salvation outside the Sony shop. The film was running on a big screen TV next to him but it was difficult to watch. His red eyes kept scaring people away!

Across The Pond

A view from the bridge across Pitville Park lake. Winter has really arrived now.

Girls Face

Today some more details from the red brick former school that is now apartments. I still haven't found out the name of the school. Sorry! What I do know is that they don't make school buildings like this anymore.

Sky Watch Friday

Across The Roof Tops

A view across the South of Cheltenham, taking in St Andrews Church steeple and the dome and roof of the Ladies College, under an ominous sky.

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

Back In The Habit

This post is because I wanted to, not because its a good photo. I was doing my paparazzi bit in Imperial Gardens! Well, its not every day you see a nun. Unless you live in a convent. Or are a nun. But then you would be a nun if you lived in a convent! Anyway. I last posted nuns, two for the price of one, here. And check out the comments there too for some nun-related jokes. The main reason for wanting to post this photo? So I could use the title! I'm easily pleased.

How The Other Half Live

As a total contrast to yesterdays terraces here is a house complete with turret, just a stones throw away, in the next street. This house stands right on the corner of Pitville Circus Road and at one time would have been a real landmark standout building. I suppose it still is! I presume the huge building is now divided into flats, but in its heyday it would have been a home to show the standing within society of the owner. And why not? Why have a plain old roof when a turreted tower will do?!

Terraced

Its not all Regency Georgian townhouses in Cheltenham, there are plenty of areas that encapsulate different architectural styles. These terraced houses in the Fairview area of town are typical of the turn of the last century. They were built for the working classes, crammed into the tiny space, giving a high density of affordable housing. Now these same houses are sold as town centre living and are home to all sorts of different classes. How times change.

Parking Problems

Its a long time since I've had a randomly-spotted photo. But is it really random? I mean, where else would you park a bike other than on a garage roof?!

And the seat for the guard to sit in doesn't look that comfy!

Grand Red Door

This very grand entrance to Weston House in Pitville used to be my doctors surgery. It is now flats, the doctors have moved to a posh new purpose built centre. The Regency building is said to be haunted! Spooky!

Spring Chicken

I was very tempted to have a go on this kids toy in Fairview Park! There was no one around, hence the photo in a children's park, but I controlled my child-ish urges and took a grown up photo instead!

Have a playful weekend.

Sky Watch Friday

Red And Blue.

Enough of the green (see previous posts if you have no idea what I'm talking about!) Now its red and blue, well for today. I love the detail of the architecture of this former school building that is now converted to apartments. I can't actually remember the name of the school, need to check that out, and, as I have a few other good photos of this building to post, I will do some research! In the mean time just enjoy SWF!

To join in with, or to check out other skies, head over to the Sky Watch Friday Blog.

Green Roots

Ok, I told you I was in a green mode at the moment, so here is another! A bit different to the others, an all natural green. I like all the moss on the exposed tree roots. I am slightly annoyed with myself that I didn't take a macro of it. You live and learn!

Green House

More green today. This house stands out from all its neighbours in this row of white terraces. How could I not of photographed it?! Anyone out there live in a house painted green?

Being Green

A simple photo for an extra special day at Cheltenham DP. Its my 700th post! I can't believe it! Thanks to everyone who visits, follows and comments, its really appreciated.

I liked all the different elements in this photo. I've got a whole green-vibe-thing going on at the moment. More green tomorrow.

Last To Leaf

Not actually the last leaf but one of a very few on this tree, and there aren't many left on others. It won't be long until they'll all be naked for winter. The very windy weekend helped a lot of the trees shed their autumn clothes. Is it spring yet?!

For Whom the Bell Tolls

I can't find out much about this building, in fact I can't find anything! All I do know is its in Gloucester city centre and is the very grand frontage of Baker's watchmaker. I can't even tell you what the characters with the bells mean. So you'll just have to look at the interesting figures and make do!

Blue Brooch

Just a photo today. Have a good weekend.

Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty doesn't look bad for 35 does she? The iconic character started life in Japan in 1974 on a purse and is now a global phenomena. The character is now seen on all sorts of merchandise as well as having her own theme park and maternity hospital in Taiwan! And Hello Kitty is worth big bucks, $1 billion a year to be precise! So this mobile stall in the High Street was doing its bit to boost sales. Umbrella, beach ball, inflatable Hello Kitty anyone?!

Neon Blue

I won't mention the 'C' word (Christmas!) yet but every shop in town is bedecked and ready for the present-buying masses. I suppose its the one time of the year that they can attempt to buck the recessional trend. Anyway. I like neon signs (and Cheltenham is hardly the neon sign capital of the world) so this one flashing away, in a shop window on the Prom, caught my eye. The flashing part caused quite a problem (lots of photos of an unlit sign!) but perseverance paid off and I got the timing right. Twice! Which is very unlike me and my camera.

As well as not mentioning the 'C' word, I won't mention that I've started my 'C' shopping. Talk about organised!

Lest We Forget

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month marks the end of the First World War, and on Armistice day we pause at this time for a two minute silence to remember all those who have died in conflict. At Cheltenhams Cenotaph wreaths of poppies were laid on Remembrance Sunday in a sober ceremony where the fallen were remembered. Lest We Forget.

Through The Rectangular Window

This is me doing my spying-through-peoples-windows trick! Actually it was an office in one of the Regency townhouses that surround Imperial Gardens. The glamorous light fitting caught my eye and the window made a good frame.

I don't condone spying through windows in any shape or form, unless you are a professional stalker, where its really quite essential!

Red Fountain

Last Thursday was Bonfire Night and on Saturday night a group of us went to the racecourse to see the annual fireworks display. This is a photo from last year, as you can see - no tripod, but it was much the same but colder! At least it didn't rain until the end of the display this year, unlike last year when we all got soaked. Thank goodness for the pub afterwards!

Looking Down

A view from the balcony of Pitville Pump looking down onto the dance floor.

Knockers

As a treat for the weekend, a pair of rusty knockers!

Have a good weekend.

Sky Watch Friday

All Saints Roof

Another All Saints Church photo. I liked the pattern of the roof tiles and the contrast between the red and blue sky. And the white bird is a bonus!

To join in with Sky Watch head over to the Sky Watch Blog.

All Saints Church

As I mentioned yesterday, today it is more of All Saints Church. The Catholic church on All Saints Road has some wonderful carved details and lots of interesting pitched roofs. Instead of trying to choose one photo today I thought I'd treat you to four! The first photo is of the stone detail above what was once the main door to the church, it is now sectioned of with railings, I guess to preserve it.

All Saints was established in 1868 by a group of local people keen to create a style of worship not generally found in Cheltenham, that followed the 19th century Oxford Movement.

The church itself was designed by John Middleton. Middleton's original design included a tower with a large spire, but although building and decoration of the interior continued for many years, the gable roof to the bell-tower was not completed until 1992, but without the spire the architect designed over 100 years earlier.

And finally the Crucifix in full that I showed you part of yesterday. Impressive.

Jesus Christ

This imposing carved statue of Jesus Christ stands on the corner of All Saints Church. This is just a taster of the amazing stone work on and around the building. More tomorrow. But for now...

A follow up to yesterdays post...

Its amazing what you can find out if you ask a question. Yesterdays mystery musical instruments are an Indonesian Gamelan, as many of you said. Knowing this, I found out the following from the Cheltenham Festivals website.

"A gamelan (translated as ‘hit with a hammer’) is an ensemble of percussion instruments on which the traditional music of Java and Bali is played. It usually consists of metallophones (xylophones) and gongs, the best ones made of bronze, and mounted on beautifully carved and painted wooden frames. It has a distinctive and melodic sound and accompanies dances and all-night shadow-puppet plays in Indonesia.

The Cheltenham Gamelan was made in the foundries outside the Royal City of Surakarta (Solo) in central Java, Indonesia. The lovely white roses carved on the wooden frames were designed specifically to complement the Pittville Pump Room, although one of the wood carvers was apparently somewhat baffled as to why anyone would want what he took to be cabbages on their gamelan!

Many aspects of playing the gamelan match targets within the music curriculum, the most obvious being playing by ear and from memory, learning about pitch, dynamics and tempo, and taking part in group performances. As a result the Cheltenham Gamelan is becoming an increasingly popular resource for all key stages in schools.

As well as a thriving schedule of schools’ workshops, the community gamelan players meet regularly to develop their interest in this beautiful music. It enhances other skills such as listening to others and working as a team, and is therefore ideal for corporate functions, team-building exercises and parties. With no previous experience participants can, within a short time, play a real Javanese composition and have a lot of fun along the way."

So now we all know!

Instrumental

While I was having a sneaky peak around Pitville Pump Room last week I snuck into a side room off of the balcony. The room was full of these oriental-looking musical instruments, not what I was expecting to find in the Pump Room. Does anyone have any idea what country they might originate from? I have no clue.

Look Out

There is something about squirrels that just make me smile. I often stop to watch them busy at work, running, climbing. This little chap was at the Cheltenham Crem, taking a moment to have a look around before carrying on squirrelling.

Theme Day - Doorways

Its the first day of the month (where is the year going?!) and here in the CDPB community its Theme Day. This months theme is 'Doorways' and Cheltenham has a host of ornate doorways to choose from. I went for this blue door, surrounded by a porch of wrought iron. Quite typical of Cheltenham and it Georgian architecture.

Can you see the padlocks securing the door? The building is for sale and the agents don't want anyone untoward paying a visit!

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