Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty doesn't look bad for 35 does she? The iconic character started life in Japan in 1974 on a purse and is now a global phenomena. The character is now seen on all sorts of merchandise as well as having her own theme park and maternity hospital in Taiwan! And Hello Kitty is worth big bucks, $1 billion a year to be precise! So this mobile stall in the High Street was doing its bit to boost sales. Umbrella, beach ball, inflatable Hello Kitty anyone?!

Cheap And Green

As some of you may know I like green flowers. I think its because they look so fresh and vibrant. Anyway, these bunches at the Flower Man stall on the Prom caught my eye. And at £3.50 they are a bargain too. Even better!

What's your favourite coloured flowers?

Theme Day - Empty

The first day of the month brings about Theme Day across the CDPB community and the theme for July is Empty.

Today I'm showing the Farmers Market, or rather, whats left of the Farmers Market. The local produce market takes place on the first and last Friday of each month in front of the Municipal Offices and runs until 3pm. I took this photo at 3.10pm, they don't hang about! In the distance you can make out the green frames of the stalls as a team of guys remove them until the next time.

To see what others have come up with for the theme click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

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Spinning Around

I'm not quite sure what you call these things but they hang (as you can see!) and spin in the breeze. They were on one of the stalls at the Christmas Market in the Prom and they seemed to be quite popular with the shoppers. I wonder how many Cheltonians will wake up and find one of these in their stocking this Christmas? What would you like to find in your stocking this Christmas?

Don't forget its Theme Day tomorrow. If you've signed up remember to take part.

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Lanterns

Aren't these lanterns lovely? They represent one of the things I like about the run up to Christmas, little stalls and Christmas gift shops that spring up out of nowhere. These mosaic lanterns were on a stall that has appeared under the escalator in the Regent Arcade. The stall has all sorts of candles, lamps and glassware gifts. The lanterns are an absolute bargain, the long ones and the large round ones are just £10 each and the small round ones (like the multi-coloured one at the top of the photo) are £5 each or three for £12! I know it sounds like I work for their advertising department, but at these prices they're a steal! The problem was I couldn't think of anyone to buy one for. I'll have to go back and get one for myself...or maybe three for £12!

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Just One Cornetto...

When I took this photo on Monday it was perfect ice cream weather, but now the weather has turned. Its humid, overcast and rainy. I can tell you, its certainly not Greece! The thought of a cone on a hot day should keep me going though. This ice cream seller needs to keep an eye of his stall, someone is making off with one. Perhaps he should call the police and ask for the Cold Case Team!

As D.C Confidential pointed out in the first comment, I didn't tell you my favourite flavour of ice cream. I think I'll have to go with mint choc chip. Whats your favourite?

Fresh From The Farm

As promised, a return to Cheltenham. On the first and last Friday of the month the Farmers Market comes to town. There are about 30 stalls selling all sorts of food, drink and plants produced in Gloucestershire. I don't get to go very often, as I'm normally at work, but as I was off last week, I seized the opportunity to go. I came home with bread, cakes, samosas, goats cheese, white wine plus a few other goodies! The Farmers Market is a really good idea and it allows people to support local producers. I think most towns and cities have one these days. What is the one near you like?

Don't forget Theme Day tomorrow!

Naughty But So Very Nice!

This has got to be one of the most expensive ways there is to buy sweets, but the choice is huge! From fudge and jelly beans to hard gums and white chocolate mice there is something for any one with a sweet tooth. This Pick "N" Mix is a new addition to the Regent Arcade shopping centre. You can walk right round the stall and take in the sight of all these sweet treats. I had a small selection in my bag and it came to nearly £6 ! But they were sooo nice! Yummy....

Birds Of A Feather...

...and a scorpion! While finishing off my Christmas shopping I came across this stall in the middle of Regent Arcade selling metal wildlife. The sculpted animals and birds are made from scrap metal and produce in Africa by local crafts people. The stall was surrounded by a crowd of shoppers barging each other out of the way to get a better look (hence the blurred photo!). Any creature you could imagine was represented in scrap, even an eight foot tall giraffe!

Market Day

The Promenade plays host to the award winning Cheltenham Farmers Market on the second and last Friday of each month. It is open from 9am until 3pm and with around 30 stalls, selling everything from the usual fruit & veg to sausages and chocolate desserts, it's a big hit with Cheltonians. The market is an excellent opportunity to buy quality food and support local farmers and food producers. When visiting the stalls you can ask questions and try before you buy, something you can't do at the supermarket (they don't tend to like it when you open a packet and start nibbling!). I was a little disappointed when I visited yesterday as my favourite local vineyard wasn't there. I had to make up for it by buying lots of naughty sweet treats instead. The chocolate mousse was delicious!