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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Watching Over You

Looming large in the background is Eagle Tower and, as a complete contrast, the statue of King William IV in the foreground (click the links for previous posts with all the info you could ever need!) Not much more to say other than old and new make an interesting photo.

Organ Grinder

Another "spotted on the High Street" post. The chap in the hat was hard at work turning the wheel of his musical organ. He wasn't drawing a big crowd but it was creating a nice atmosphere in the centre of town. Although the organ looks a bit home-made, what with the pram wheels, it did sound quite tuneful. And even though the organ grinder was deep in conversation with the passer by, he kept on turning that wheel.

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To Infinity And Beyond!

Well, what else could I have titled today's post?! These guys, dressed as Woody and Buzz Lightyear from the Pixar animated film Toy Story, were on the High Street doing their bit for Comic Relief. They were selling Red Nose Day balloons to kids and adults alike.

For those that don't know Comic Relief is a charity started by Richard Curtis (writer of Four Weddings And A Funeral, Notting Hill etc), and other comedians, in the 80's. Every other year Comic Relief organises Red Nose Day (this years is on Friday 13th March) which see celebrities and the public doing all sorts of mad and courageous things to raise money (like a group of celebs climbing Kilimanjaro this year - they have raised over one and a half million pounds!) and wearing red noses! To read more about the charity, that is working to end poverty, head here and find out more about Red Nose Day here. But, most importantly, Do Something Funny For Money!
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Two Things Challenge - Stripes / Stars

I thought I'd make the effort to join in with the Two Things Challenge this week, but what to post for Stripes/Stars?! How about the American flag? A shop window display? No. A collection of my jazzy socks! Perfect!

I think this could be the most random photo I've posted to date. I'm always pushing the boundaries! To see what others have come up with, or to join in, head over to the Two Things Challenge site.
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Daffodil

I think its safe to say its officially spring. The trees are in bud, the blossom is flowering, the bulbs are bursting and the flowers are...well...flowering! I don't think anything says spring more so than the humble Daffodil. In Cheltenham the parks, gardens and roadside verges are beginning to wash over with a sea of yellow. Beautiful.

I wander'd lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

By William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

Sky Watch Friday

Half Moon

I took this photo from my front window the other night. Its not the clearest shot of the moon ever seen but I thought it was worthy of an outing on Sky Watch Friday. Just remember that wherever you are in the world the moon is always the same. Just remember that there are bigger things than us out there.

To join in with Sky Watch Friday, or to see other views of the sky, head over to the Sky Watch Friday blog.

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Barbers Pole

Dipping into the archives again today. I actually forgot about this one, I thought I'd already posted it. Its Vallenders Barbers in Suffolk Parade. Its not the best shot in the world, I just liked the way the barbers red and white pole stood out from the grey of the shop front and the grey of the guy in the advertising photo. I liked the composition. Hope you do too.
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Steeple

Not a lot to say today. I can't even remember the name of this church (standards are slipping!), although I do know its in Montpellier Street, opposite the Ladies College. I just like the way it points straight up to that blue sky. If I can think of the name I'll update you all, as a taster its more than likely called St 'somebodys' Church!

UPDATE....

Thanks to Tash at Palos Verdes DP for doing the job for me! She found the name of the Church, its St Andrew's. And the spire was built in 1885. I told you my standards were slipping! Thanks Tash.
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Little Italy

I've not been feeling very inspired of late and was looking through my archive to find something to post today. I found this photo, which I took in January. The reason I photographed this building was due to the columns at the top, I thought they looked interesting. As I've looked more closely at the shot I've realised the building is in fact a hotel (I had no clue it even existed!) I typed in their web address and found Strozzi Palace - a real hidden gem. This quote from their site says it all - "We're chic and boutique - with modern Italian flair. Built in 1894, our amazing Grade 2 listed 'Palazzo' façade is based on the beautiful Palazzo Strozzi – one of the most important examples of renaissance architecture in Florence." Visit Strozzi Palace here. Its posh, even for Cheltenham!

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Changing View - March

Now don't get too excited about this months Changing View as it hasn't changed much since last month or the month before that! That's winter for you. This photo marks the seventh installment of the series that sets out to record the changes over a year. I'm hoping by next month that there will be leaves on the trees and flowers in the borders. Fingers crossed!

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

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Theme Day - Glass

Its the first of the month which means its Theme Day across the CDP community and the theme for March is glass. This theme didn't inspire me at all and if you read yesterdays post you'll know I didn't have a photo for today. All I could think of were windows or glasses! But fortune favours those that leave things to the last minute (or something like that!) and while I was getting a haircut yesterday I spotted this glass jar in front of the mirror - a winner on two fronts! I love the colour of the blue liquid barbicide (it sounds like something you are accused of if you've killed a hairdresser!)

To see what others have come up with for the theme click here.

Come back tomorrow to see the next installment of my Changing View series.
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Gerberas

Talk about the wonder of Mother Nature with a helping hand from us humans! These gerberas are stunning. What an array of colours and textures. I spotted these at a local florist shop the other day and was drawn to them immediately. I love the double orange one. Beautiful.

Don't forget tomorrow is Theme Day and this months theme is Glass. I haven't got anything to show yet so come back tomorrow to see what I can come up with!
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Sky Watch Friday

February sunset.

At last its the end of another week and its Sky Watch time! I know the sun sets everyday but sometimes you don't see it, not like this anyway. Sometimes its hidden by cloud or rain. Sometimes you wouldn't even know the sun was up there in the sky. Yesterday was an overcast day but, as the daylight hours came to an end, the sun made this beautiful appearance. It was worth the wait.

To join in with Sky Watch Friday, and to check out the sky all over the world, head to the Sky Watch Friday Blog.
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World Coffee Delivery

Talk about blowing your own trumpet! Costa Coffee are claiming to be saving the world. Well, sort of! I spotted this bright red delivery truck on The Prom, at first I thought it might be a Coca-Cola van and I was disappointed that it wasn't until I read the slogan. The world could do with a bit of saving!

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Another One Bites The Dust

Another day, another closure. This was Barratts shoe shop on the High Street, and it has gone the same way as other national brands, like Woolworths and MFI. As I've said before its a sad sign of the times, and behind this now defunct brand are people who have been made redundant, debts that add to the financial crisis and another empty shop in town.

My intention has always been to use this blog as a way of recording the changes that take place in Cheltenham, to capture history as it happens, so alongside amusing window displays, macros of flowers, art and architecture I'll feature these sorry sights. A view that is being played out the world over.

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Pancake Day

How could I resist this one?! Another day, another shop window. This is from one of my favourites in town, the clothes shop White Stuff. Their window displays have featured on Cheltenham DP before and included the drunken gingerbread man and the squirrel headed mannequins.

For those that don't know, or have forgotten, today is Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day. Its the day before Ash Wednesday and signifies the start of Lent. The idea is that you eat up all the things that are forbidden during the period of Lent - eggs, fat, sugar - these are made into a batter and fried into flat...um...pancakes! It seems here in the UK its the one day of the year we have pancakes, unlike other countries who have them year round, like France and America. I'll be having some this evening, covered in lemon juice and sugar, very traditional!

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Fair Weather

You'll probably have picked up through my blog that I have a thing for window displays. I like the thought of the creative process that goes into producing something that is so visual it stops you in your tracks. I like the fact that they convey a message, a theme or a statement in a split second. I know its all about selling but it amazes me how the people behind the scenes come up with such great ideas. Its also a bonus for me as it's a lazy post!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and commented while I was AWOL, its much appreciated. I'll be catching up with you all today.
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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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Tree Trunks

I think I'll just let the photograph do the talking today. I'll just add that I love the light and shadow in this photo.

I've got a lot on this week, and its not work - its fun! Anyway, I'm scheduling posts and will comment when I can.
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