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!

Through The Rectangular Window

This is me doing my spying-through-peoples-windows trick! Actually it was an office in one of the Regency townhouses that surround Imperial Gardens. The glamorous light fitting caught my eye and the window made a good frame.

I don't condone spying through windows in any shape or form, unless you are a professional stalker, where its really quite essential!

Halloween!

Its All Hallows Eve! (spooky laugh!) Yesterday - grave stones, today - a pumpkin (original, I know!) Tonight I'm going to my workplace with a small group of people to have an evening with three Mediums. I'm going with an open mind as I'm a half believer, half sceptic. It should be interesting, I'll report back tomorrow.

Have a scary weekend!

New Discovery

Having lived in Cheltenham all my life (exciting, I know!) and having featured the Pitville Pump Room here several times before, I realised I'd never actually been inside! So yesterday I took a little photo trip. Its fantastic inside, though a little eerie as there were no staff to be seen (I think they were all having their lunch!) The primary purpose of the Pump Room is as a venue for music performances, parties, conferences and weddings. The main room is surrounded by a balcony and topped by a fantastic dome. There are so many wonderful features to photograph and the afternoon light showed the place at its best. It was a real treat. Here are two of my favourite photos, but there will be more to come.

Silhouetted Squirrel

OK, you all thoroughly humoured me with my Autumn post yesterday so here is another seasonal shot. Another one that I'm quietly pleased with. It looks like its in black and white but no, its just the morning light and the lovely shadows. I'm feeling this photography lark again. I've been a bit 'photo for the sake of posting' recently but I really want to turn out some decent photos. Fingers crossed, more tomorrow.

Orange And Grey

Today just a photo of the ordinary, nothing special, and a bit random but I like the colour contrast and just wanted to share it. Have a good day.

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Theme Day - Night

Its the first of the month and its Theme Day across the CDPB community. This months theme is 'Night' and this is my offering. It shows Christ Church lit up at night. Its an impressive building and can be seen from all around Cheltenham, especially at night.

To see all the other many interpretations for this Theme head here.

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The Under Glass

Today's post has been inspired by Petrea at Pasadena Daily Photo. Actually I just copied here but imitation is the highest form of flattery, or something like that! Anyway, when I saw her photos I remembered we had the same glass skylights in the pavement in Cheltenham too, and thought they were worth sharing with you. Basically they let some natural light into the basements below. These examples are on the Prom by the HSBC bank. Most of them have been filled in with tarmac but two still survive. I think they are a really ingenious design feature.

Theme Day - Shadows

Me and my shadow

The first of the month means CDPB Theme Day and the theme for the first day of May is Shadows. I've never appeared in person on this blog, until today. Sort of! This is my shadow, its always with me, sometimes hiding in the shadows, sometimes on full view. This photo is also a photo of desperation! I just couldn't find what I wanted - a nice pattern made from shadows, so you get me instead!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Come back tomorrow for my 500th post and Changing View. Time flies.
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Green Light

I've been meaning to photograph this light for ages. It hangs, along with half a dozen others, in the window of Jones' Shoe Shop on The Prom. The lights are so unusual. They serve no purpose, other than decoration, but they just make a display of shoes, laid out in the shop window, simply interesting.

I have two prominent memories of Jones's shoe shop. One - going there as a kid to get fitted for school shoes. We had to go upstairs to the children's department, where they had a rocking horse. Always good fun! Two - my dad coming home one Christmas Eve with a bag of Christmas table decorations that came from the window display of Jones'! He was passing by and saw them packing up, ready for the sales on Boxing Day, and asked if he could have them! Well, if you don't ask you don't know!

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Tree Trunks

I think I'll just let the photograph do the talking today. I'll just add that I love the light and shadow in this photo.

I've got a lot on this week, and its not work - its fun! Anyway, I'm scheduling posts and will comment when I can.
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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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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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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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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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Light & Shade

I really like this photo, its simple and yet effective. Its another photo from Pitville Park. I hope your not getting bored of these park photos. I need to get myself motivated to get some more varied photos. I find I'm slipping into a rut again, I think its due to the run up to Christmas. The days seem to be flying by and there are lots of things to do and to sort out on my days off. Anyway, enjoy this photo and I'll do the worrying!

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Elegant Fanfare

It always pays to look up. I'm getting better at it but I'm sure I miss out on some great potential photos by only taking shots at eye level. This bugle playing lady is high up on the front of Que Pasa bar. Before that the building was a pub called Toad At The Olde Bank, I guess that name comes from the building once being a bank. I'm not really sure how old the building is, I'm guessing old though! This lady, and her equal on the opposite end, look Art Deco to me. Any ideas?

I really like the shadows and curved lines in this photo. Remember, look up and you could be pleasantly surprised.

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How It Should Have Been

This is the kind of weather I was hoping for on Monday (to take autumn photos in) but it rained. Back at work yesterday and this was the weather (typical.) I had to take this one while I was at a red light in town. Not only was the sky bluer than blue but the light was perfect. I like this photo, I'm really pleased with the shadow on the building and how all the elements came together. Nothing like blowing your own trumpet!

And I know you all want to know about Pizza Express. It's opposite the town hall, it has a grand double staircase at the front, inside its stylish and, more importantly, the pizza's are good!

I've just found this wonderful autumn treat for you all. It'll take less than two minutes of your day. It's worth it. Make sure you have the volume turned on. Enjoy.