Sunset Steeple

The steeple of St Gregory's church as the sun was going down on another day.

I hope you all had a good Christmas. Mine was great, but it is what you make it. Here in the UK its Boxing Day today, basically a bit more of Christmas Day! The sales start and today is being called Super Saturday, as its the first time in 11 years that Boxing Day has fallen on a Saturday. Retailers are hoping that sales today will be beat those of Christmas Eve, when 1 million pounds was being spent every minute! Recession? What recession?!

Merry Christmas

Have a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy.

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

Only one more sleep until the big guy comes and leaves a little something for all the good boys and girls. Yes, its Christmas Eve. All the rushing around, shopping, wrapping and decorating stop tonight, and its time to enjoy Christmas and all the things that it means to you.

As I'm working today, and then off to the pub for the obligatory Christmas Eve drink, I won't get around to you all to say happy Christmas. So I'll take this opportunity to wish and yours a very happy and peaceful Christmas, and I hope it is everything that you dreamed it would be. Merry Christmas everyone.

And here is the poem in full.

Glitter Girl

Not a lot to say. A glittery girl sitting in a shop window. Helping to sell sofas! With the obligatory seasonal attire - a Santa hat!

Only two more sleeps!

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.

The Office

I'm one of the lucky ones. I don't work in an office. I'm sure lots of people out there love working in a little cubicle or in an open plan working area, but its just not my thing. I couldn't think of anything worse. But if I did work in an office I'd love to work for Ricky Gervais' David Brent. Now that is a boss! Cringe makingly hilarious! His comedy series The Office was one of the funniest TV shows of the last decade. Brilliant stuff.

Speaking of office based brilliance, I've found a fantastic blog. It was Blog Of Note last week and it is laugh-out-loud funny. Mr London Street is wonderfully observant of all aspects of life and his office sounds hysterical. I've just started reading and playing catch up, but this post, about food descriptions and the staff canteen is so funny my sides were hurting from laughing! I should say that the sensitive amongst you might be offended by some of Mr London Streets tales but it is so well written I'm sure you'll let him off. Anyway, check it out. Very funny! Did I mention I found it funny?!

Inside The Pump Room

Just a quick, and rather late, post today. I've been busy getting into the festive spirit. Basically eating and drinking and visiting!

As the title says, this is a shot from inside Pitville Pump Room.

Normal service resumes tomorrow!

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!

Wreath

I think this Christmas wreath is much cooler than a boring old holly wreath. Modern versus traditional. What's hanging on your front door this Christmas?

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.

Gallery

The Gardens Gallery, in the Proscenium Building, Montpellier Gardens, is a popular venue for local artists to show their work. The exhibitions always have free admission and are very varied. At the moment an exhibit entitled 'The World Through our Eyes' is on at the gallery. Three local artists - Sara Chardin, Amy Blacker and Gez Browning - are displaying their landscape paintings and photography.

Simples

Meerkats are everywhere at the moment. TV programs, adverts, cuddly toys, garden ornaments, t-shirts. These ones, in the window of the Pied Piper shop in Montpellier, are all dressed ready for the Christmas festivities. Have you got yours?!

If today's title means nothing to you, go here to see what started the Meerkat madness.

Great Dane

This is a 'What The ***?' photo. Nothing particularly unusual about a dog in a window but it is when its a Great Dane in a wedding dress shop! This big beast was almost filling the small shop and was surrounded by dozens of expensive dresses. The shop was closed and completely secure with metal grills across the windows. Very strange!

Charlotte's Web

Just a web today.

Mother Nature is amazing. How do spiders do this? Amazing!

A Foggy Day In Cheltenham Town

Well, the outskirts of Cheltenham town! After what seems like weeks of rain we had a few cold, fine days and then this. Fog and frost. December is here! It is my favourite kind of weather. All cold and crisp. Love it.

I'll not be around much this weekend, working tomorrow and then our works Christmas party in the evening. Needless to say I'll be hungover on Sunday! Catch up with you all soon.

Sky Watch Friday

A Room With A View

A Sky Watch of sorts this week. This is the view from the top floor of Pitville Pump Room, looking out across Pitville Park. The Statue is one of three on the front of the building. This photo was taken back in October, hence the Autumn leaves on the trees.

To join in with SWF, or to see the sky the world over, head across to the Sky Watch Friday Blog.

Have a great weekend.

Santa Baby

I wouldn't mind this coming down my chimney on Christmas Eve! Its not the best photo in the world but I was very aware that I was stood in front of the Ann Summers shop taking photos of the lingerie. So it was a very quick point-and-shoot shot! After all I didn't want another run in with a security guard! And the reason why I was taking a photo of sexy undies? Because it was a good contrast to yesterdays post. Obviously!

Snow Head

I haven't posted any Christmas themed window displays yet and, to be honest, there aren't many in town that really stand out, but this one, in the clothes shop River Island, is an exception. Its a bit of a double-take window. At first glance its just mannequins, but on closer inspection one of the figures has, well, you can see! I'm not sure whether its cool or a bit sinister looking!

Curry Corner

The answer to Saturdays puzzle is Curry Corner. And the TV program that the Indian restaurant featured on is F Word, Gordon Ramsey's Channel 4 food show. Each week the best restaurants in different categories go head to head to be crowd Britain's Best Independent Restaurant, unfortunately Curry Corner just missed out on a place in the final, to be broadcast in a few weeks time. But still good on them for beating so many other great Indian eateries.

And the winner of the Cheltenham postcard? Bob The Bolder of Durham Daily Photo. He named the restaurant but not the TV show, but he was still the closest. Congratulations to him.

Good Looking Builder Seeks

This sign would be made for me if I were a builder! Ha! Nothing else to say apart from its good to see some people still have a sense of humour.

As I'm all behind today the answer and winner of Saturdays competition will be revealed tomorrow.