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!

A Little Bit Of Magic

Look at this cute little VW Camper Van! Ever seen one like this? Me neither. It was a tiny little thing. About five and a half foot high and seven foot long. This little guy was advertising Illusions Magic Bar, based in Bristol. At first I thought the magician worked out of the van but it seems they have a proper venue.

What is your favourite magic trick? I like the old levitation illusion. I'm quite a dab hand at it. Just call me David Blaine!

Camping It Up

There is a saying about camping and pink tents but I think I'll leave that one alone! What to say? This pink tent was pitched outside Millets on the High Street. Millets provide all the essentials for those who like the great outdoors, even pink tents. There is a lot in the local media at the moment about businesses putting 'A' boards up in the street and the Council not liking it. This is one way around it while still getting the message out there!

I think we've all had a bad camping experience. Mine was a very wet week in Woolacombe, so wet we came home after three nights! The only dry day was when we put the tent up. We sat outside into the small hours drinking and talking and drinking (in fact drinking all the adult pop we'd brought with us!) From then on it was downhill. It rained none stop. The only dry place left were the cars, we ended up napping in them, and the only place to get warm was the shower block! Needless to say on the third day of getting soaked we had had more than enough! What's your worst camping tale?

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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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Pedalling Your Trade

This is one of towns most original advertising ideas. The tandem bike, chained up on the High Street, promotes LG's Deli. Claiming as many fillings as you can fit for a fixed price is an offer to good to turn down. I haven't been to the sandwich shop yet but I will go, and I'll report back!

St Patricks Day

The 17th March is the day that the world celebrates St Patricks Day. I was hoping for a 'green' themed photo to mark the day but it didn't happen so today's picture is from an advert outside the Midland Hotel (Betfair Arms) by the train station. The Toucan was used in the advertising of Guinness in the 1940's, a jingle from the time went "Toucans in their nests agree/Guinness is good for you/Try some today and see/What one or toucan do." The Toucan was reinstated in 2000 to promote the fact that Guinness was brought to the British mainland direct from Ireland. Guinness is the drink most associated with St Patricks Day and the Irish, but Ireland is not the biggest consumer of the Stout in the world. That accolade goes to Africa, who drinking their way through 40% of the worldwide production of Guinness. Canada is the fastest growing market and on St Patricks Day in 2006 more Guinness was sold in Canada than in Ireland! I hope you enjoy St Patricks Day, have a couple of pints of Guinness and see what one or Toucan do for you!

Come back tomorrow for some photos of my trip to The North!

Outlandish Advertising

As I said yesterday, everyone is promoting or selling something in Cheltenham this race week. The Festival is a big money spinner and the pub above must have got something in return for sponsorship like this. The Midland Hotel (which is a pub not a hotel) is situated by the train station and has been renamed The Betfair Arms for the week. Betfair is an online betting company and all these sort of businesses make huge amounts of money, so paying out for a bit of advertising is just a drop in the ocean to them. Even the footbridge (shown below) across the tracks in the train station has been used for advertising this week. As soon as racegoers get off the train they know what its all about - Money.

Now its time for Marley's Daily Top Tip - Master Minded in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at 3.15pm. If you followed my tip yesterday then I apologise. Sizing Europe pulled up in the home straight and came in practically last! Better luck today!

UPDATE...
...Today's racing has been cancelled due to the high winds and the worry that the tented village might take off!!