Wallsworth Hall

Locally this magnificent Georgian mansion is better known as Nature In Art. This grand house is home to art creations inspired by nature. Its situated between Cheltenham and Gloucester, and I've never been there before! Until this past weekend. Nature In Art has been host to a very special exhibition over the last few months - Wildlife Photographer Of the Year. The exhibit is on a national tour, as well as being on display at the Natural History Museum in London. I just had to see it, nothing of such note ever comes here and it would have been rude not too!

The photographs on show were fantastic but, unfortunately, no photos were allowed inside the building, so you'll have to make do with the outside.

Find out more about the Wildlife Photographer exhibition here. If you can't make it to London or, if its not coming to a venue near you, here is the winning entry by Steve Winter. That link will also lead you to all the other fantastic photos.

I'm away until the middle of next week but posts will appear by magic.
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Theme Day - Metal and Sky Watch Friday!

It's Theme Day time again and its also the ever popular Sky Watch Friday today. I wasn't feeling inspired about this months theme but I wanted to try to post a photo that would cover both events. Up until 11pm last night I had a metal themed photo but it meant I couldn't join in with Sky Watch. I was talking over my useless ability to be organised with Phoebe, she said it would have been good if I had a weather vane to show. A little light bulb went on in my mind! I had one! And here it is.

This is the weather vane on top of Cheltenham Ladies College. It is made from cast iron and lead (I think!) and the sky in the background really was that grey, its not a black and white photo!

If you want to join in with Sky Watch Friday, and to see the other Sky Watchers offerings, head over to the Sky Watch Friday blog.

And click here to view thumbnails for all participants of this months City Daily Photo Theme Day. There are 182 blogs taking part, so take some time to pay them a visit.

Seeing all of those metal and/or sky photos should help pass the time on a Friday afternoon! Have a good weekend everybody and thanks for the inspiration Phoebe!

Victorian Style

Cheltenham doesn't have many red brick Victorian buildings, most of the towns buildings were built in the early 1800's or at the turn of the last Century, but the ones we do have are impressive. This one sits near the end of the High Street, at the pedestrianised junction of Cambray Place. As you can see the ground floor is occupied by the Bradford & Bingley Building Society but the top three floors are home to Wedding Days bridal shop. From the coloured brick inlays to the clock and weathervane this is a stylish looking building.

If you click on the photo for a larger image you should be able to see the netting that covers the roof and most of the front of the building to protect it from pigeons and their mess!