The Queens Trees

Continuing the Christmas theme (sorry, but it is everywhere!) here is The Queens hotel, all bedecked for the festive season.

Have a good weekend. Last one before the big day!

Wreath

I think this Christmas wreath is much cooler than a boring old holly wreath. Modern versus traditional. What's hanging on your front door this Christmas?

Christmas Blues

Look at the pretty lights! Ooo! This tree, surrounded by artificial snow, is outside the front of the Daffodil Restaurant. Its a bit garish for me but it does make a lovely festive scene. Very Christmassy.

Christmas is a strange time of year. It means all sorts of things to different people. To some it is a Religious celebration, to others its about friends and family, to some its about the presents, and to others its the food, drink and all the seasonal trimmings that make Christmas. To most people its a combination of all these things. Christmas is also a time to look forward with optimism to the coming year, but at the same time remember with fondness those people that are no longer with us, those people that have left our lives. We can look back on mistakes made with wise eyes, missed opportunities with sorrow, and things to come with joy. At this time of year its fine to occasionally have the Christmas Blues.

Gallery

The Gardens Gallery, in the Proscenium Building, Montpellier Gardens, is a popular venue for local artists to show their work. The exhibitions always have free admission and are very varied. At the moment an exhibit entitled 'The World Through our Eyes' is on at the gallery. Three local artists - Sara Chardin, Amy Blacker and Gez Browning - are displaying their landscape paintings and photography.

Simples

Meerkats are everywhere at the moment. TV programs, adverts, cuddly toys, garden ornaments, t-shirts. These ones, in the window of the Pied Piper shop in Montpellier, are all dressed ready for the Christmas festivities. Have you got yours?!

If today's title means nothing to you, go here to see what started the Meerkat madness.

Great Dane

This is a 'What The ***?' photo. Nothing particularly unusual about a dog in a window but it is when its a Great Dane in a wedding dress shop! This big beast was almost filling the small shop and was surrounded by dozens of expensive dresses. The shop was closed and completely secure with metal grills across the windows. Very strange!

Charlotte's Web

Just a web today.

Mother Nature is amazing. How do spiders do this? Amazing!

A Foggy Day In Cheltenham Town

Well, the outskirts of Cheltenham town! After what seems like weeks of rain we had a few cold, fine days and then this. Fog and frost. December is here! It is my favourite kind of weather. All cold and crisp. Love it.

I'll not be around much this weekend, working tomorrow and then our works Christmas party in the evening. Needless to say I'll be hungover on Sunday! Catch up with you all soon.

Sky Watch Friday

A Room With A View

A Sky Watch of sorts this week. This is the view from the top floor of Pitville Pump Room, looking out across Pitville Park. The Statue is one of three on the front of the building. This photo was taken back in October, hence the Autumn leaves on the trees.

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

Have a great weekend.

Santa Baby

I wouldn't mind this coming down my chimney on Christmas Eve! Its not the best photo in the world but I was very aware that I was stood in front of the Ann Summers shop taking photos of the lingerie. So it was a very quick point-and-shoot shot! After all I didn't want another run in with a security guard! And the reason why I was taking a photo of sexy undies? Because it was a good contrast to yesterdays post. Obviously!

Snow Head

I haven't posted any Christmas themed window displays yet and, to be honest, there aren't many in town that really stand out, but this one, in the clothes shop River Island, is an exception. Its a bit of a double-take window. At first glance its just mannequins, but on closer inspection one of the figures has, well, you can see! I'm not sure whether its cool or a bit sinister looking!

Curry Corner

The answer to Saturdays puzzle is Curry Corner. And the TV program that the Indian restaurant featured on is F Word, Gordon Ramsey's Channel 4 food show. Each week the best restaurants in different categories go head to head to be crowd Britain's Best Independent Restaurant, unfortunately Curry Corner just missed out on a place in the final, to be broadcast in a few weeks time. But still good on them for beating so many other great Indian eateries.

And the winner of the Cheltenham postcard? Bob The Bolder of Durham Daily Photo. He named the restaurant but not the TV show, but he was still the closest. Congratulations to him.

Good Looking Builder Seeks

This sign would be made for me if I were a builder! Ha! Nothing else to say apart from its good to see some people still have a sense of humour.

As I'm all behind today the answer and winner of Saturdays competition will be revealed tomorrow.

All White

Its hard not to show Cheltenham's Regency buildings every day. There are so many and they are a big part of the town. This one is quite typical in design and style - four floors, a wrought iron balcony, stones stairs leading to the imposing front door, simple architectural details, crisp white paint. This one also has the benefit of facing onto Imperial Gardens, behind the Town Hall, and is in one of Cheltenham's best locations.

Nellie

This stone elephant is one of a pair that stand either side of the doorway of a restaurant that has recently starred on television. Ooo, I know, lets have a little competition! Name the restaurant and the TV program and win a Cheltenham postcard. Exciting! Answer and more revealed on Monday.

Sky Watch Friday

Winter Branches

Just a quickie for SWF (let the photo do the talking and all that.) I really like the silhouette of the bare branches against the cold blue wintry sky.

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

Glass Ceiling

Its a sad day at Cheltenham Daily Photo (or a thank-God-for-that day, depending on your point of view!) as I'm going to say this is my last post on the refurbishment of Cheltenham's Regent Arcade. As regular visitors will know, I have posted quite often (too much, some say) on the ongoing transformation of the shopping centre. The main area of change has been the roof, which has been completely replaced. The once arched 80's ceiling is now a modern slopped glass one, and I must say it does look quite good. If you click 'Regent Arcade' in the labels below you can see the progress that brought about the new look. Go on. You know you want to!

And to see the roof before click here. Its quite a difference.

Sardines

More terraced houses in the Fairview area of town. This curved row is on a narrow street but isn't as claustrophobic as it looks. A bit of cropping and a tight angle did that!

Theme Day - Waiting

Its the 1st of the month and here in CDP blogland its Theme Day. The theme for December is Waiting. I wasn't very inspired by this months choice but then it suddenly hit me. What are we all waiting for? Christmas! Whether you are waiting for it to arrive because you love it or are waiting for it to arrive because you want to get it out of the way as you hate it, we are all waiting. And how to capture that waiting? An advent calender of course! Some are a candle that you burn each day, some are traditional calenders and have a religious picture, others are chocolate filled. No surprise as to what mine is! Now I'm going to open the first little door and get my chocolatey reward!

Now, no more waiting. See what other inspired ideas people have come up with for this theme by clicking here.

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!