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!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Decay

As a complete contrast to yesterdays photos, today we have graffiti. Not much to say other than this stencil type of 'street art' is cropping up all over the place. Its a bit like a poor mans Banksy. Not as clever and not as funny. God, I must be getting old! OK, I quite like it!

How Old?!

Lots of buildings, old and new, in and around Cheltenham have the date of construction on the front. Some are just a date carved into a brick but some, like this one, are very grand. The details on this one are extra special. You can see that the house was built in 1897 but its the carved flowers underneath that caught my eye. Each one is different but just as intricate as the next. Nice touch.

Little Urn

As a contrast (told you I was into contrasts at the moment, shame I wasn't feeling it last Theme Day!) As a contrast to the last few days here is something completely different. Just off of Montpellier is this large-ish house that is all black and white. Either side of the black front door are these urns. To me they are just crying out for some fresh green ferns or bright red geraniums. That would make a nice contrast to all the black and white!

Enjoy your weekend.

Shapes

Lots of new buildings - offices and homes - are appearing around Cheltenham. Not as many as at the height of the property boom, but new-builds are still happening. These modern town houses, just off of Imperial Gardens, have a funky design with interesting shaped windows, different textures and unusual features. I quite like them, though they are very expensive, so I won't be buying one anytime soon!

I'm away for a few days. I'll catch up with your blogs next week.

Sky Watch Friday

Multi-coloured sky

Yes, another Friday, another Sky Watch and another sunset. I just love the colours in this sky. Its just beautiful.

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

Tinkling The Ivories

I suppose I didn't really need to take this photo in black and white, as the piano was already doing it for me! I've always fancied being able to play the piano but its all the learning business that puts me off. I'm just too lazy!

What would you like to have a go at but have never got round to doing?

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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Invasion!

As I said yesterday I couldn't take any photos inside Nature In Art but there was no stopping me in the grounds surrounding the building! There were all sorts of different nature-inspired sculptures outside, and over the next few days I'll show you a few of them.

I love this oversized bug made from all sorts of scrap metal. I couldn't see the name of the artist anywhere, and there is no reference on Nature In Art's website, so for now he or she will remain nameless. What I do know is that this is a very creative way to recycle!

I'm away until the middle of next week but post will appear by magic.
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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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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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Now And Then

Cheltenham is a town with lots of heritage, and lots of old buildings. Luckily for us most of them are protected, they have been enjoyed for hundreds of years and will be enjoyed for hundreds more. The old buildings in the heart of town are used as shops, bars and restaurants and their present occupiers have to work around the historic features. This Cult Clothing shop, on Clarence Street, is at the cutting edge of fashion and has a sign to match, but it fits in well with the iron railings of the balcony on the 18th century building. I really like the contrast.

Thanks to everyone who left a comment about my Sky Watch Friday photo, its greatly appreciated. I had a good few days in 'The North' but its cold up there!

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Sky Watch Friday

Not a lot to say about this one, as the photo says it all. What I will add is that the moon was low in the sky, big and yellow-ish, though that isn't shown so well in the photo. I am still pleased with the result, especially as I don't have a tripod. Check out all the other Sky Watchers here.

I'm not going to have time to visit many blogs today, so I'll catch up with all those skies tomorrow.

Have a good weekend one and all!