At The Foot Of Neptune

This photo was my other choice for theme day. I don't normally drag the theme out but I really liked how this shot turned out. Its a close up of Neptune's Fountain at the end of The Prom. I've posted on the fountain a couple of times before, click here for a full view and Neptune's history.

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Wet Neptune

The powers that be have finally turned the water back on in the towns fountains (I guess they wait until May so that the danger of frozen pipes has passed) and I can finally show you a photo of Neptune in all his glory that I promised to you months ago. This is Neptune's Fountain on the Promenade in full flow. It is really nice to have this magnificent water feature flowing again. It makes a very summery scene. I've posted on the fountain before, click on the word 'Neptune' in the links below to read about its history. One final thing, I recently learnt that the water for the fountain is pumped up from the River Chelt that flows through an underground tunnel directly below it!

Neptune By Night

This is another photo from my night shoot around Cheltenham. The fountain hasn't had the water turned on yet this year, when it does I'll get another photo! Its a shame that Neptune or the horses aren't lit up more but it still looks good at night. For more info on the fountain check out my previous post http://cheltenhamdailyphoto-marley.blogspot.com/2008/01/dried-up-neptune.html.

Hope you all have a good Sunday!

Pasta At Prezzo

Carrying on from yesterdays foodie post, here is Italian restaurant Prezzo. Its on the Promenade opposite Neptune's fountain. Before the restaurant took up residence in the building it was a pub for many, many years. The pub went under several different names - Huckster's, 1994's and most well known, The Black Tulip. I've been to eat at Prezzo's a couple of times and the food is very good.

Hope today's post hasn't made you feel hungry. If it has, how about Italian tonight?!

Horsing Around

I don't normally post more photos of previous posts but I had several that I really liked of Neptune's Fountain, so here they are! The photo above shows more detail of Neptune, taken through some of the plants surrounding the fountain. In the background are Jack's Caff and part of the Ladies College. Below is a photo of the four horses around the base of Neptune's shell plinth. I think they represent the crashing waves of the sea, of course I could be completely wrong!

For some of the fountains history see yesterdays post.

Dried Up Neptune

I'm back! It's been a while but now I'm sorted with new computer and, more importantly, new camera so normal service has resumed!

This is Neptune's Fountain, built in 1892-3 to perk up the end of the Prom. At the time a local town guide said "It was installed when Victorian Gothicism was on the wane, with beaux arts influences gaining ground on a lingering neo-mediaevalism." I couldn't agree more! Designed by borough engineer Joeseph Hall, it is based on Rome's Fontana di Trevi. It was carved from Portland stone by local company R.L. Boulton & Sons and water first flowed on 30th October 1893. Over the years the fountain has under gone numerous running repairs including new balustrade and urns. Most noticeable was the lack of Neptune's right arm, which was missing for several years until a replacement was installed. The day I took the photo the water, as you can see, was off. I'll post a photo in the summer when its in full flow.
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