Dragonfly Dress

Today's post is for all you wedding fans out there or for all you old romantics out there. I'm not sure that the two go hand-in-hand! Anyway, this posh wedding dress shop is in Suffolk Parade, an area of Cheltenham with an eclectic mix of independent shops, bars and cafes. The shop stocks dresses from several different British designers, with designer price tags to match!

Although I've posted the photo in black and white, with a bit of romantic haze, the colour of the shop frontage isn't that different and I thought the lack of colour focused the photo, if you know what I mean! Not much more to say other than if any of you ladies out there are planning your nuptials the Dragonfly website is here.

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Skater Boy

Fakie, Heel Edge, Nollie, Primo. Mean anything to you? No, me neither! Apparently they are all terms used in skateboarding. For all I know this group of lads could be performing each and everyone of them! I spotted them honing their skills in Montpellier Gardens. The gardens have a skateboard park but these four were practising on the flat area in front of the cafe, it may have had something to do with a large group of older kids using the skating equipment, I guess they were waiting their turn.

Have we got any skateboard demons in our midsts?!

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A Rats Tale

This friendly little chap makes up part of the art work on the outside of The Pied Piper shop in Montpellier. The shop sells collectable teddy bears, dolls, dollhouses and all things soft and cuddly. The full shop front is below.

I decided that I would look into the story of The Pied Piper of Hamelin to accompany today's post and I have to say it is a disturbing tale. I must have read the Ladybird version when I was younger, as the true story is far from a fairy tale. Basically the town of Hamelin was over-run with rats and the townsfolk called upon the Pied Piper, who had suddenly appeared within their community, to rid them of the infestation. The residents agreed to pay the piper if he could do the job. As we all know - the piper piped, the rats followed, he led them to the river and they all drowned. The towns people wouldn't pay the piper so, while they were in church, he piped again and this time the children of Hamelin followed. The Pied Piper led 130 boys and girls to a cave and they were never seen again. The version I know is that two children, one lame and one deaf, remained in the town and told the adults of the other childrens abduction. The parents paid the piper and the children were freed.

In reality the children were never seen again. It is believed that they were either killed in a landslide, that they left on a religious pilgrimage, that they were drowned in the river or worst of all, the mysterious piper killed and dismembered them. The story dates from the 14th Century and over time has changed many times. I guess we'll never really know what happened but it was no fairy tale ending.

If you have some time and want to read a version of the story by Robert Browning, published in 1842, here it is.
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Two Things Challenge - Hot / Cold

Its Sunday, in case you didn't know(!), and its time for Two Things Challenge. My photos today are of the same place in Cheltenham - the Long Gardens in front of the Municipal Offices. The first one shows some red hot tulips which were in full flower last spring. And the second one shows a wider view of the gardens covered in cold snow, which has been the case all week.

If you want to join in with the Two Things Challenge, or to see what other people have come up with this week, head over here.
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Snow Day

Yes, we've had more snow! Yesterday there was a bonus though, my boss phoned in the morning and told me not to worry about coming in to work - I had a snow day! As some of you know I work on Sundays and I have Saturdays and Mondays off, so for once I've got two days off in a row. Instead of braving the elements to take some snowy photos I decided to use my bonus day to do something that I've been wanting to sort out since the end of last year - I set up the Cheltenham Daily Photo Shop. I've not put many photos on yet but, as time goes by, I'll add more, and if there is anything you would like to see, either product or photo, let me know. Check it out in the side bar.

Today's photo shows the fields across from where I work and was taken on Thursday. More snow still to come.

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Dragon Lamp

Would you fancy a front door lamp like this? I know its a bit ostentatious but it would certainly be a talking point! This dragon lamp is one of a pair that are either side of the entrance to the Thai Emerald restaurant. The eatery produces the best Thai and oriental food for miles around (in my opinion.) They have a wide menu and, if you can't chose what to eat, they offer a buffet style menu with a vast range of dish brought to your table - a great way to try a bit of everything!

Have a great weekend.

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Green Door

Hidden amongst the undergrowth, on the edge of Montpellier Gardens, are a row of mysterious doors. They are the rear gates to the town houses that back on to the park. All are helping to hold up the Victorian red brick wall and keep the privacy of the residents. Some are covered in ivy and unruly shrubs and desperate for a lick of paint, while others are newly painted like this one. I suppose it must be nice to have a secret door at the end of your garden that opens into Montpellier Gardens - an extension of your outdoor space.

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Black And White And Red

Here is another snowy scene from the Prom. As you can see, I've played about with the photo a bit and I am very pleased with the result! Modesty is my middle name! Not much more to say, apart from we are due more snow overnight and tomorrow. Winter isn't done yet!

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Tunnel Vision

If you saw my update on yesterdays post then you'll know it snowed. Here in Cheltenham we had a couple of inches, which was nothing compared to the South East of the UK, especially London which saw about a foot of snow and brought the capital to a grinding halt. Actually most of the country ground to a halt. It was a snow day!

I made the effort yesterday to head into town to take some more snowy photos. We don't often get snow in Cheltenham and we've had snow twice this year, which is nice. I wanted to capture the scene in the Prom, as I might use the images for Christmas cards this year - always think ahead!

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Changing View - February

It's the second day of the month and its time for the sixth installment of Changing View. Well, as you can see, not a lot has changed since last month! That's winter for you! All I can really say is that I like the colour in the sky, behind the trees. Since last month one thing that has changed is that some of you have joined in with this idea and that is brilliant. I only started this series to record the changing seasons, so it is an added bonus that some of you have felt inspired to have a go too.

...UPDATE...

The photo above was taken on Saturday but overnight, and as I write this, it snowed. So, as I'm a dedicated photo blogger, I braved the elements his morning and took the photo below. What a difference a day makes.

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

Yes, its the first of the month again and that means its Theme Day across the CDP Blog community. This is one of the paths off of the Lower High Street leading to St Marys Church, which is the parish church of Cheltenham. If you want to know more about the church scroll down to my squirrel post the other day and follow the link. There isn't much more to say other than I liked the light and shadows in this photo. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Make sure you come back tomorrow to see the next installment in my Changing View series.

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Flowery Fence

This makes a change from normal wrought iron railings. I'm not sure about the colour but the detail and design is brilliant. It must have taken ages to create this fence, but the time was well worth it.

Don't forget tomorrow is Theme Day. This months theme is Paths and Passages. You don't need to sign up anymore, just post your photo and copy the code from the CDP site to be added to the list. Its easy! Join in tomorrow.

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Yellow Fin

This is a photo from my trip to the London Aquarium last October. I know its supposed to be a Cheltenham Daily photo blog, and I have (for once) plenty of Cheltenham photos in reserve, but everything around here is so grey and cold and wintry that I just needed an injection of colour. And this photo delivers just that.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

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Refit Required

There aren't many buildings in Cheltenham that have their original advertising boards but this ramshackled relic is one. This former shopfitters, on St Georges Place, must date back to the beginning of the last century and the building is really showing its age. Around the top half of the building you can make out wire mesh and bolts that I presume are there to stop it collapsing onto the street below. And the roof isn't in a very good condition, what with plants growing up there. At first I thought that the red brick wall had a doorway in it, but now I realise its a fireplace in a chimney breast, that must have belonged to a long since demolished neighbouring property. It really is in a sorry state. Not a very good advert for shopfitters.

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Have You Seen My Nuts?

I couldn't resist today's title! Anyway, I was cutting through the churchyard of St Marys Church, in the heart of Cheltenham, when I spotted this little chap busy hunting for his buried treasure. I hope he found what he was looking for.

If you want to know more about St Marys Church then check out my past post 'There's Something About Mary' It is my only post that didn't receive any comments and I really like the photo. So be kind and make a Cheltonian happy!

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Helping Hand

Who needs a van when you've got a group of willing friends? These guys were busy moving their possessions up Bennington Street, just off of the Lower High Street, yesterday. The person in charge of the large wicker chair was carrying it on their head, like an oversized 70's seat-come-hat!

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Bridging The Gap

You don't often see this sort of thing between buildings around here, a corridor in the air. And a grand walkway at that. This links two of the buildings that make up the Ladies College. The college site is made up of lots of different buildings that are all linked together, making a courtyard garden in the middle. A few years ago it was remodeled and reopened by the Queen, although its not open to the public.

Sorry for all the short posts of late, all on the same theme, normal service will resume tomorrow.

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Windows

Another photo of the Ladies College. Sorry its a short post again. I'll be glad when things get back to normal on Monday.

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Recession

Well, its official. The UK is in recession. We've had two quarters of negative economic growth. Its been said on the news today that it could continue well into 2010. Empty shops like these will be soon be common place.

I'm working all weekend, so think of me as you all enjoy yourselves. Actually I suppose I should be pleased I've still got a job!
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Sky Watch Friday

Gargoyle And Blue Sky

This is another one from the Ladies College. The gargoyle was keeping a watchful eye on the passersby below. (And the sky really was that blue on Monday!)

To join in with Sky Watch, and to check out other skies all over the world, head over to the Sky Watch Friday Blog.
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Learning Curve

Over the next few days I've got a lot going on workwise so I'll be doing brief posts and my comments will probably be few and far between. Its one of those times when work gets in the way of what you enjoy. I guess that's life though!

Today's photo is from high up on the side of the Ladies College. This person is hard at work learning. It looks like the pigeon is overseeing operations!

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In At Number 5...

This busker was good, really good. I'm not sure what the instrument was (Jackie at Glasgow DP will fill us in I'm sure) but the sound was jazz/blues and was lovely. As I lined up to take the photo I noticed the sign behind and it just seemed to finish the photo off perfectly.

That's it for today apart from adding that this post is my 400th post! I can't believe how the time has flown by, and I can't wait for the next 400. I hope you will all be with me.

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Monkeying Around

Some more graffiti. Although Cheltenham has that horrible, inartistic graffiti in some parts the above style doesn't bother me. I think its quite creative (like the bored heart the other week) When I first spotted this I thought it was an owl but then I realised it's a monkey. Not sure what the two A's are about. How about A Monkeys Arse!

I know lets have a quiz, I haven't done one for ages! So what are the two A's? You must include the word 'monkey' between them. The best answer gets a Cheltenham postcard. Have fun!

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Oriel Lodge

Just look at all that detail. Spikes, turrets, arches, gargoyles and other things with architectural names that I don't know! This is Oriel Lodge on Oriel Road, just off of Bath Road. This amazing looking building sits between two rather modern, unattractive cubes and the Lodge just puts them to shame. I can't tell you much about the place other than it houses lots of different office based companies including accountants, web developers and recruitment agencies. It must be quite old as I found a reference on the net to some bloke called William Nicolay dying there on May 3rd 1842. I'm just a fountain of knowledge today!

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Two Things Challenge - Paper / Plastic

Sunday is now Two Things Challenge day for me. It's nice to have to think about what to photograph (if you know what I mean!) and how best to come up with something original for the subject. Basically, I'm enjoying the challenge!

As you can see today's two photos aren't that attractive but they show an important part of life. These recycling skips are at my local supermarket. Most of the big stores have these in their car parks, even though Cheltenham Borough Council do fortnightly kerbside collections of recyclable waste. As well as skips for paper and plastic they also have skips for tin foil, cans, shoes, clothes, books, cardboard and drink cartons. At the moment cardboard and plastic aren't collected so we take ours to the skips. Well, you've got to do your bit!

If you want to join in head over to the Two Things Challenge blog.

These photos were taken on my camera phone.
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On Time?

Is this bloom early or late? I'm not sure, but is very pretty with its soft, delicate flowers.

Enjoy your weekend.
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Little Britain

Well, its 'Little England' really but it doesn't sound as good! I spotted this customised Smart Car at a local Garden Centre and it looked very patriotic. At a first look you would think the owner supported the England football team but that's not the case. He doesn't even like football! The chap that owns it wanted something a bit different, something that would stand out from the crowd, and he certainly got it. He said that he once stayed overnight in Wales and found the car vandalised the next morning!

These photos were taken on my camera phone.
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Ice Ice Baby

Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Today's title - sorry! Anyway, last week I said I'd shown my last cold weather photo but I'm short on photos, and I really like this one, so here's another snowy shot. This is Montpellier Gardens again and it was slippery underfoot last week. The white stuff has long gone but we could get more. Someone told me yesterday that the long range forecast is for a very cold snap in February, as low as -18c! That is bloody cold for us!

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Kitchen Magpie

The reason I first took this photo was because of the black and white window display matching the awning. But when I loaded it on to the computer I realised that the display was magpie themed - black and white and all things shiny. If you click to enlarge the photo you can make out the following written in the window - '1 for sorrow, 2 for joy, 3 for a girl, 4 for a boy, 5 for silver, 6 for gold and 7 for a secret never told.' This is a traditional children's nursery rhyme about magpies. According to an old superstition, the number of magpies one sees determines if one will have bad luck or not. I'm quite superstitious and if I see a loan magpie I salute and say "Morning Mr. Magpie." That does away with the bad luck (sorrow)! Anyway.... if you need something for your kitchen, this is the place to find it. They have everything - pots, pans, baking trays, knives, egg cups - the lot!

Do you have any superstitions?

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School Girl

Just a quick one today. On the side of one of the buildings that makes up Cheltenham College (known locally as the Boys College) I spotted this elegant looking lady. In one hand she is holding a plate with what looks like grapes on it and in the other she is holding a mask. I'm not sure what she might represent (ideas anybody?) but she looks very grand. If you want to know more about the college check out my previous post here.

Thanks to everyone for their kind comments about my macro photo yesterday. If you'd like to see more of my macro photography head over to my other blog - Macro World.

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Snowberries

I thought I'd start the week with a macro photo. The Snowberries are a common sight around town at this time of year, these ones are planted around the tennis courts at Montpellier Gardens. I found the following about the plant at Wikipedia "Symphoricarpos is a small genus of about 15 species of deciduous shrubs in the family Caprifoliaceae. All but one are natives of North America and Central America; the one remaining is from western China. Its common names in English are Snowberry and Waxberry. It is a member of the Honeysuckle Family, the Caprifoliaceae." So there you go! If you split the berry open the inside is like granules of snow, very cool. But they are poisonous - no making Snowberry Pie people!
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Two Things Challenge - Partial / Whole

After many weeks of unrelenting pressure from D.C Confidential I have finally joined in with the Two Things Challenge (I tell you, the woman is not to be messed with!) By joining in with this weekly challenge I put my name alongside those of some fantastic photographers and I hope my offerings live up to the photos that have gone before. Anyway, on to the photos. Pretty self explanatory - a partial moon in the day and a whole moon at night.

If you would like to join in head over to the Two Things Challenge blog.
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Making Tracks

One last snowy photo. These tyre tracks were made by the lorries and vans removing the temporary Christmas ice skating rink in Montpellier Gardens. The rink was inside a giant marquee and didn't attract as many skaters as neighbouring Gloucester's outdoor rink did. The main thing that put the visitors off was the fact that it wasn't real ice - it was plastic! Cheltenham Borough Council really need to get their act together for next Christmas!

The white stuff has all but melted, it is still freezing cold and frosty but the forecast is for milder weather next week. Who knows if we'll see more snow this winter.

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Sky Watch Friday

Rooftop car park at sunset

This is my first Sky Watch of 2009, so if you are a Sky Watch Friday visitor then Happy New Year to you! There is something special about sunsets and sunrises too (but I'm never awake to see them!), the colours are magical and often stunning.

Check out the Sky Watch Friday Blog to see the sky all over the world and to join in too.

Have a good weekend.
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Spoken From The Heart

First things first. This photo is in no way a representation of my own love life!

Well, what can I say about today's photo, apart from its a brilliant piece of graffiti/street art. It just leapt off of the wall at me as I walked by. I wonder if the person it was intended for got the message? And whether they did anything about it! I suppose its a sad state of affairs if the only way you can say what you feel is through a public statement like this. Maybe I'm reading to much into this and it is just something someone did and it means nothing at all.

If anyone wants to use this image to pass a message on to someone special in their life, let me know. I'm the sole of discretion!

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Winter Garden

The "big freeze" continues. The temperature fell to -10c the other night, the snow is still on the ground and the roads are icy. We really aren't used to this here, a cold day or two is the norm. Though it is nice to get home in the evening and get warm. I've had to have several glasses of Port to keep my temperature up!

Today's photo shows a snowy Imperial Gardens, just behind the Town Hall. The area used to be the site of the Winter Gardens. The glass roofed building was used for concerts, exhibitions and housed a cinema. The building opened in 1878 and was demolished between 1940 and 1944, partly because its glass roof may have been a target for bombers in the Second World War, but mainly because it was in a poor state of repair. It would be a great if a similar building could be reinstated on the Gardens. I think it would make a fine addition to Cheltenham.

I'm getting cold again. Where's the Port?

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Frosty The...hic...Snowman (& Friends)

The winter arrived with full force over night on Sunday. Cheltenham woke to a winter wonderland yesterday, and very pretty it was too. We don't get snow here very often, only a couple of days each winter, and the recent snowfall wasn't predicted so it was a pleasant surprise. As I walked about yesterday kids were off school (why do UK schools close after an inch of snow?!) and they were enjoying the wintry weather, having snowball fights and building snowmen. The snowman in the top photo looked like he had been on the booze overnight! He was in the small front garden of what I assume was a student house, surrounded by rubbish bins and empty beer cans. They had given him wine bottle top buttons, a beer bottle top smile, eyes made of two pence coins, a Guinness hat, and a traditional carrot nose. Notice the beer can on his stick arm! The mini-snowmen below were a bit more civilised and were doing some Cheltenham sight seeing in Imperial Gardens.

The cold snap is set to continue through the weekend, plenty more opportunities for building snowmen!

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Lights, Camera, Action!

Its not everyday you come a cross a music video being filmed, but that was the scene I stumbled across in Pitville Park. Actually they stumbled across me. I was happily taking photos of the lake and the swans when I heard this singing behind me. I turned round to see this gaggle of people heading in my direction, with a chap singing and playing his guitar while being filmed. As I walked around the park they settled down on a bench and really got down to the hard work of creating a music video. He sang, the other bloke filmed, and the girls stood around watching! I presume the video was for Myspace or something like that. I guess I should have asked! They might be famous one day!

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Mini Icicles

Brrrr...it's cold. Well, not as cold as some of your winters but cold for us. The temperature has been as low as -6c at night, we've had frost on the ground for almost a week and icicles have started forming. OK, they are only a few inches long but it's the best I could come up with! These ones were hanging on one of the bins at work. I like all the little air bubbles in them. They look like little pieces of blown glass.

How cold is it where you are?
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Urban Jungle

I'm pretty sure that most towns and cities the world over have concrete carbuncles like this. Though I quite like the look of this multi-storey car park! It has nice lines and textures. I think it looks good in black and white too. That's it for today. Enjoy your weekend.

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Changing View - January

It's the second day of the month (and the year!) and it's time for the fifth installment of my Changing View series. We've been having a really cold spell here but no snow yet. The bright, frosty days have been lovely, but freezing. The sun has been low in the sky and it lit the Municipal Offices wonderfully. Winter still has a long way to go until it's over but the leaves will be back on the trees before you know it.

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

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Theme Day - Best Photo Of The Year 2008

Happy New Year! I hope 2009 is good to you and yours.

In the last year I've posted 328 posts and shown almost 500 photos. It was a tough choice for today's theme! I really couldn't decided on a photo, Phoebe had several dozen photos that she thought were worthy, but in the end I settled for this one (it was on her list!) I first posted the photo on Monday 14th July, under the title 'Bee-n Waiting'. Here is the text from that post - "The sun finally made an appearance, nature burst into life for a few hours and I got my photo. I'd been wanting to get a photo like this for a while and at last my camera, a flower and a bee all met up! This big bumble bee was busy collecting pollen from a delphinium. The rain stopped and my wait was worth it. I hope the bee felt the same."

There are 150 other City Daily Photo Blogs taking part in this Theme Day. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.
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