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.

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.

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.

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.

Cobbles

These cobbles lead up to a fine Cheltenham building. I'll show you tomorrow. I've got lots on this weekend. Short post. Have a good weekend. Do something you enjoy.

Red Door

Over to you today. What do you think is behind this door? I have no idea so the best/funniest/most original answer wins a fantastic prize (a Cheltenham postcard!) Winner announced on Monday.

Have a good Thursday, its never as bad as you think.

Two Things Challenge - Yellow / Brick

The Two Things Challenge is back up and running. Here is my interpretation of the challenge Yellow / Brick.

That's the 'Yellow' part covered. Where is the 'Brick' part I here you cry. Look at the photo below and at what the Harley is parked on.

Job done.

To join in with the Two Things Challenge head here.

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Little House On The Park

How about a house with one of Cheltenhams largest open spaces as a front garden? Not enough for you? How about a garden pond that just happens to be a boating lake? Still not enough? OK, how about an 18 hole golf course in your front garden? No? What's wrong with you?!

This little Victorian red brick house has all three. It faces on to Pitville Park, the boating lake and, just beyond that, the golf course! This house stands out from the crowd too. All the other surrounding houses are made up of row upon row of terraced housing, that all face away from the park. Talk about bad planning.

I'm glad to see the owners have got chairs under the front porch to take full advantage of their extra special front garden.
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Three More

Yes, more chimneys! As I said yesterday - short and sweet posts this weekend. To answer some questions - No, I haven't been scrambling about on the roof tops of Cheltenham! All the chimney photos were taken from the roof top car park of the Regent Arcade. The car park looks down on to all the smaller surrounding buildings.

Enjoy your Sunday.
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Three's A Crowd

Not another chimney photo?! I'm afraid so. I've got a busy weekend so I'm going for quick and easy.

Have a guess at what tomorrows photo will be...
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Curved Chimneys

Unusual chimney pots as viewed from the Regent Arcade car park. I don't think I've ever seen any that look like this before. That's it today, enjoy your weekend.

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Trolley Park

Here is another photo of the not-so-nice side of Regency Cheltenham - shopping trolleys and rubbish. This was taken just off of the Lower High Street, by the bridge that carries the former Honeybourne track, now a cycle route. I really like all the elements in this shot - the brickwork, the iron gate, the rubbish and, of course, the trolleys. I know its sort of perverse, but I quite like it when I stumble across a photo op like this. Makes a change from my usual fare, though in some parts of town this is common place.
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Red Brick Workshops

These old workshops and lockups are in a narrow side street off of the Lower High Street. I bet they've seen a lot of change over the years and I imagine that they have been used for all sorts of different things. I like the contrast between the green door and the red bricks.

We are still enjoying the Bank Holiday Weekend! Spent a great night at the pub quiz last night with J, H and S. Did you know that Roger Daltrey was a former James Bond?! To much drink and not enough concentration! Today we are going to my mum's for a roast lamb dinner. Delicious! Hope you enjoyed your weekend too.
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Stickle Brick

Last photo today from Nature In Art. This simple piece was quite impressive. Just some bleached driftwood attached to the red brick wall. Very effective.

If you want to see a close up of this head over to Macro World.
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Wallsworth Hall

Locally this magnificent Georgian mansion is better known as Nature In Art. This grand house is home to art creations inspired by nature. Its situated between Cheltenham and Gloucester, and I've never been there before! Until this past weekend. Nature In Art has been host to a very special exhibition over the last few months - Wildlife Photographer Of the Year. The exhibit is on a national tour, as well as being on display at the Natural History Museum in London. I just had to see it, nothing of such note ever comes here and it would have been rude not too!

The photographs on show were fantastic but, unfortunately, no photos were allowed inside the building, so you'll have to make do with the outside.

Find out more about the Wildlife Photographer exhibition here. If you can't make it to London or, if its not coming to a venue near you, here is the winning entry by Steve Winter. That link will also lead you to all the other fantastic photos.

I'm away until the middle of next week but posts will appear by magic.
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Little Italy

I've not been feeling very inspired of late and was looking through my archive to find something to post today. I found this photo, which I took in January. The reason I photographed this building was due to the columns at the top, I thought they looked interesting. As I've looked more closely at the shot I've realised the building is in fact a hotel (I had no clue it even existed!) I typed in their web address and found Strozzi Palace - a real hidden gem. This quote from their site says it all - "We're chic and boutique - with modern Italian flair. Built in 1894, our amazing Grade 2 listed 'Palazzo' façade is based on the beautiful Palazzo Strozzi – one of the most important examples of renaissance architecture in Florence." Visit Strozzi Palace here. Its posh, even for Cheltenham!

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Two Things Challenge - Corner / Door

I was hoping to find a door on a corner but it didn't happen! Instead I've got a photo that will make you wonder what is round the corner (no, I don't know!) and below a door that will make you wonder how long did it take to carve that (my guess - a long time!)


To see what others have come up with for this weeks challenge head over to Two Things Challenge.
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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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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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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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