Life Is Like A Butterfly

I just realised, I've never told you about Cheltenhams illustrious career as a star of a sitcom. Well, maybe more short lived than illustrious! Back in the late 70's and early 80's the TV program Butterflies was filmed in and around Cheltenham. It was about a woman who wanted to change her life but didn't quite manage it. I only ever watched about half an episode. Once I'd seen the Prom, the Municipal Offices and Hatherley Park I'd had enough! Why watch it on telly when you can see it in real life?!

The Queens Trees

Continuing the Christmas theme (sorry, but it is everywhere!) here is The Queens hotel, all bedecked for the festive season.

Have a good weekend. Last one before the big day!

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!

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?

Paved With Gold

Just a shot of the paving slabs that make up the Prom, sprinkled with golden autumn leaves. I like the contrast with the colours and textures. I should have used this for theme day!

Best Foot Forward

Last week I sat on a bench on the Prom, to take a break from wandering around Cheltenham finding things to photograph, when the passers by caught my eye. So, today a simple photo or two. Have a good weekend.

The Odd Couple

On Saturday I asked if anyone could spy what was hiding behind the trees on the Prom. Lots of you had the right answer (mainly due to 'Link Within' photos - I should have thought that one through!) Anyway - its the Minotaur And Hare statue!

I've got a lot on this week so I'll catch up with all your blogs as soon as I can!

Wet

I'm not sure whether this photo is worth posting or not, but I like the rushed blurry feel. Basically last week was wet. Very wet. I was trying to take a photo of the heavy rain falling on the deserted Prom when this woman stepped in to the shot. It threw me and threw the photo and the above is the result. I guess it captures the feel of people hurrying through the sudden downpour.

Can You Tell What It Is?

Any ideas what this is lurking behind the trees? Answer next week.

I've got loads on this coming week so posts will be short and sweet and comments few.

Have a great weekend.

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

Somethings Bugging Me

Giant beetles are on the loose in Cheltenham! Well, not really. Just a creative window dresser coming up with something eye catching for the window of Cavendish House on The Prom. (I told you I had a thing about window displays!)

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The London Borough Of...

...Cheltenham! Regular followers will know I have a thing for shop windows and the ingenius creativity that goes into creating an eye catching display, and this one is know exception. The window of Monsoon's childrens clothes shop on The Prom really stands out from the crowd. All London captured in cartoon style and looking very trendy and modern, just like the really thing. (Notice the address sign - City Of WestMonster! Made me laugh!)

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Gnome Sweet Gnome

When I saw all these gnomes gathered in the shop window of White Stuff (the shop that had the drunk gingerbread man, the squirrel-headed people, the biggest tosser poster, the caravan and the dog leaping through a hoop) I was reminded of Gail's Man's post the other day. As always the White Stuff's window display has nothing to do with the clothes they are selling, which is part of the fun, but is promoting 'Give A Gnome A Home', something we should all consider doing in these financially difficult times! Quite a few of the little chaps have tags around their necks saying who has adopted them. Cute!

Today is my birthday (yay for me!) and we are off to Bristol to see something very cool! More on that tomorrow.

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Living The Dream

This young man was having a great time playing and singing on The Prom to earn a few quid. The photos may not be the best (he was moving around a lot) but they show him giving it his all.

Changing View - August

The second of the month means Changing View here at Cheltenham DP and this months photo is the 12th image of the same scene. Last month I said it was hot, well that soon ended! July was the wettest month since last September (when I started this series) and last Wednesday was the wettest day since last September. August looks like its set to be the same. So much for summer! On the second day of next month I'll show all the photos together, to really show the change (nothing like dragging it out!)

To see how the view has changed click on 'changing view' in the labels below.
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Chairs And Tables 3

This could also have been titled 'Shades Of Brown'!

This set of table and chairs were just begging to be photographed for the series started by Virginia at Birmingham, Alabama DP. They were just tucked off of the Prom, outside the recently opened Costa Coffee. Normally the tables are covered in empty cups and plates but someone was actually doing their job and cleared them off! As you can see Cheltenham is not as litter free as people think - look on the floor. Standards are slipping!

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Trusting

If I was an unscrupulous character I could now be posting from a new laptop, but I'm honest as the day is long so I'm not! I know that Cheltenham is seen as a safe place to live with little crime but crime is everywhere and this was the perfect opportunity for an opportunist thief. The owner of the car, laptop and box was a couple of car lengths up the Prom paying for his parking ticket but he obviously wasn't worried that someone might make off with his stuff! I should have taken it to teach him a lesson!

How long could you leave a laptop on the street where you live before it grew legs and walked?
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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.

Changing View - July

The second day of the month means Changing view here at Cheltenham DP. Its July. Its hot. Very hot. If you click on the photo you can see people laid out on the grass of the Long Garden enjoying the sun and shade lovers sitting on the benches watching the world go by. Looking back to June you can see that the scene hasn't changed that much, no bloke leaning against the bollard. But that would just be odd if he were still there!

To see how the view has changed click on 'changing view' in the labels below.

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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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