A Light Dusting

Nowhere near as much as the East coast of America, and a bit less than most of Britain, but we have had snow. A light icing-sugar dusting but it still snowed. And it is cold. So cold. But after all it is December, so what else should we expect? We may even get a white Christmas. That would be magical.

Christmas Blues

Look at the pretty lights! Ooo! This tree, surrounded by artificial snow, is outside the front of the Daffodil Restaurant. Its a bit garish for me but it does make a lovely festive scene. Very Christmassy.

Christmas is a strange time of year. It means all sorts of things to different people. To some it is a Religious celebration, to others its about friends and family, to some its about the presents, and to others its the food, drink and all the seasonal trimmings that make Christmas. To most people its a combination of all these things. Christmas is also a time to look forward with optimism to the coming year, but at the same time remember with fondness those people that are no longer with us, those people that have left our lives. We can look back on mistakes made with wise eyes, missed opportunities with sorrow, and things to come with joy. At this time of year its fine to occasionally have the Christmas Blues.

Changing View - The End

Here at Cheltenham DP the second day of the month means Changing View. Today marks a full year of taking a photo from the same place once a month to record the scene as it changes. To finish this series off today I show all the past photos starting with September 2008 and finishing with September 2009. Enjoy having a look back.

September 2008

October 2008

November 2008

December 2008

January 2009

February 2009

March 2009

April 2009

May 2009

June 2009

July 2009

August 2009

September 2009

Two Things Challenge - Foot / Step

I wasn't really prepared for this weeks challenge so I had to have a root around in the archives and this is the best I could manage - rabbit prints in the snow! Almost on theme but not quite! Oh well, must try harder next week.

To join in with, or to see better interpretations of, Two Things Challenge head over to the blog.

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Snowy Buddha

This is a secret post, posted on 14/07/09. If you find it and leave a comment you'll win a special prize! This very late post is the one day I missed in February.
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A Branch Of The Museum

I've managed to get one of my photos displayed in a museum! What do you think?

OK, its not real but it looks good, and that couple seem to be enjoying the my snow covered branches! I wasn't feeling very inspired for a post today, then I checked out Bibi's blog and my problem was solved. She had posted a similar photo, created with the help of Dumpr, the other day and I did the very original thing - I copied her! (I'm feeling lazy today, let me off.) Anyway, that's it really apart from the branches belong to the cherry tree, in front of my flat, covered in snow last week.

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Two Things Challenge - Hot / Cold

Its Sunday, in case you didn't know(!), and its time for Two Things Challenge. My photos today are of the same place in Cheltenham - the Long Gardens in front of the Municipal Offices. The first one shows some red hot tulips which were in full flower last spring. And the second one shows a wider view of the gardens covered in cold snow, which has been the case all week.

If you want to join in with the Two Things Challenge, or to see what other people have come up with this week, head over here.
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Snow Day

Yes, we've had more snow! Yesterday there was a bonus though, my boss phoned in the morning and told me not to worry about coming in to work - I had a snow day! As some of you know I work on Sundays and I have Saturdays and Mondays off, so for once I've got two days off in a row. Instead of braving the elements to take some snowy photos I decided to use my bonus day to do something that I've been wanting to sort out since the end of last year - I set up the Cheltenham Daily Photo Shop. I've not put many photos on yet but, as time goes by, I'll add more, and if there is anything you would like to see, either product or photo, let me know. Check it out in the side bar.

Today's photo shows the fields across from where I work and was taken on Thursday. More snow still to come.

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Black And White And Red

Here is another snowy scene from the Prom. As you can see, I've played about with the photo a bit and I am very pleased with the result! Modesty is my middle name! Not much more to say, apart from we are due more snow overnight and tomorrow. Winter isn't done yet!

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Tunnel Vision

If you saw my update on yesterdays post then you'll know it snowed. Here in Cheltenham we had a couple of inches, which was nothing compared to the South East of the UK, especially London which saw about a foot of snow and brought the capital to a grinding halt. Actually most of the country ground to a halt. It was a snow day!

I made the effort yesterday to head into town to take some more snowy photos. We don't often get snow in Cheltenham and we've had snow twice this year, which is nice. I wanted to capture the scene in the Prom, as I might use the images for Christmas cards this year - always think ahead!

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Ice Ice Baby

Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Today's title - sorry! Anyway, last week I said I'd shown my last cold weather photo but I'm short on photos, and I really like this one, so here's another snowy shot. This is Montpellier Gardens again and it was slippery underfoot last week. The white stuff has long gone but we could get more. Someone told me yesterday that the long range forecast is for a very cold snap in February, as low as -18c! That is bloody cold for us!

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Making Tracks

One last snowy photo. These tyre tracks were made by the lorries and vans removing the temporary Christmas ice skating rink in Montpellier Gardens. The rink was inside a giant marquee and didn't attract as many skaters as neighbouring Gloucester's outdoor rink did. The main thing that put the visitors off was the fact that it wasn't real ice - it was plastic! Cheltenham Borough Council really need to get their act together for next Christmas!

The white stuff has all but melted, it is still freezing cold and frosty but the forecast is for milder weather next week. Who knows if we'll see more snow this winter.

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Winter Garden

The "big freeze" continues. The temperature fell to -10c the other night, the snow is still on the ground and the roads are icy. We really aren't used to this here, a cold day or two is the norm. Though it is nice to get home in the evening and get warm. I've had to have several glasses of Port to keep my temperature up!

Today's photo shows a snowy Imperial Gardens, just behind the Town Hall. The area used to be the site of the Winter Gardens. The glass roofed building was used for concerts, exhibitions and housed a cinema. The building opened in 1878 and was demolished between 1940 and 1944, partly because its glass roof may have been a target for bombers in the Second World War, but mainly because it was in a poor state of repair. It would be a great if a similar building could be reinstated on the Gardens. I think it would make a fine addition to Cheltenham.

I'm getting cold again. Where's the Port?

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Frosty The...hic...Snowman (& Friends)

The winter arrived with full force over night on Sunday. Cheltenham woke to a winter wonderland yesterday, and very pretty it was too. We don't get snow here very often, only a couple of days each winter, and the recent snowfall wasn't predicted so it was a pleasant surprise. As I walked about yesterday kids were off school (why do UK schools close after an inch of snow?!) and they were enjoying the wintry weather, having snowball fights and building snowmen. The snowman in the top photo looked like he had been on the booze overnight! He was in the small front garden of what I assume was a student house, surrounded by rubbish bins and empty beer cans. They had given him wine bottle top buttons, a beer bottle top smile, eyes made of two pence coins, a Guinness hat, and a traditional carrot nose. Notice the beer can on his stick arm! The mini-snowmen below were a bit more civilised and were doing some Cheltenham sight seeing in Imperial Gardens.

The cold snap is set to continue through the weekend, plenty more opportunities for building snowmen!

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Let It Snow!

No, this photo wasn't taken in the depths of winter. It was taken yesterday morning. Here in Cheltenham we had our first snow of the winter, even though its spring! It didn't last for long, it all melted away by lunchtime. I got out and took some photos just before the thaw!

The first photo shows the view up Leckhampton Hill. The photo above is of a house set in a temporary winter wonder land.

This photo is taken on the side of a country lane. I know our snowfall is nothing like some places have seen this winter, but it made for a good opportunity to try out some of the different features on my camera! Hope you enjoyed this little bit of winter.