Dirty Washing

The people of Cheltenham are all going to smell as there is no where for them to do their washing. I guess its down to the River Chelt to wash clothes on the rocks then. Not strictly true, obviously, most people have washing machines. I suppose that is why this launderette is now closed. Like lots of towns and cities more and more places like this, and shops too, are closing their doors for the last time. Its a sign of the financial times.


This post reminds me that I must do some washing today!

Wedding

No, not mine! This was a wedding party just after they'd left the Abbey, on their way to the marquee in the walled garden. Seconds after I took this photo the wooden door was closed and the happy couples day was private once more. I just thought this made a lovely photo (ignore the tree!)

Sky Watch Friday

Its that time of the week again - time to look skywards. At last the grey clouds here have been breaking to allow the sun to light up the evening sky. I love the colours in this photo. I think it almost looks like a painting.


To join in with Sky Watch Friday, and to check out the other sky watchers offerings, head over to the Sky Watch Friday Blog.

Deerhurst Flower Festival - Day Three

Today is the last day of my photos of the flower festival. I had so many to choose from it was a job to decide what to post. The first photo is part of a display called 'God Save The Queen', all about our national anthem. All the red, white and blue flowers fitted in well with the patriotic feeling about at the moment due to Team GB's success in the Olympics.


I wasn't quite sure what to expect at a flower show being held in a church. I was imagining lots of chrysanthemums and carnations, and those sort of old fashioned flowers. But I was really surprised. There were loads of unusual blooms and tropical flowers, like the orchids above. They added to some really interesting displays.

And the last photo is the one I promised you yesterday that I'd post. It shows the bells made of leaves, with the bell ringing ropes included, and is part of the display entitled Resounding Bells Of Time. I hope you all enjoyed seeing these floral creations.

Happy Birthday Phoebe x

Deerhurst Flower Festival - Day Two

More of the beautiful flowers at Deerhurst Flower Festival. As I mentioned yesterday this years theme was Sounds Of Song And Praise. The photo above shows the flowers that represent the Gates Of Jerusalem Hosanna. The end of the pews were decorated with red gladioli and bright yellow sunflowers, creating a colourful walk way down the aisle. The photo below is part of the display entitled Resounding Bells Of Time. I'll show the bells tomorrow.

Deerhurst Flower Festival

Every other year the village of Deerhurst, on the outskirts of Tewkesbury, holds a flower festival over the summer bank holiday weekend in their church. This time the theme was Sounds Of Songs And Praise and there were 28 different arrangements, some small and some very grand. This one was in the entrance to the churchyard and was entitled Dancing Around The Maypole. It was one of the more imaginative creations, with sunflowers representing children, and was a lovely arrangement to welcome visitors to the festival.

I took loads of photos, so over the next few days I'll show you some of the other floral masterpieces. To see the flowers of 2006, and to read about the festivals history, go to Deerhurst Flower Festival.

Salubritas et Eruditio

This is the Coat of Arms and Insignia of Cheltenham. This one is above the main entrance to the Municipal Offices but there are others around town.

So what does it all mean? Well, starting at the top and working down, the pigeon at the very top is sitting on a blue stripped sphere and this represents the discovery of the fountain of spa water by a pigeon that made Cheltenham famous. This is sitting on top of a wreath of Oak leaves. The two open books, either side of the silver cross, on the blue band represent education, particularly Pates Grammar School and Cheltenham College. The silver cross shows religion. The two pigeons represent the flock that gathered at the spa water spring. The Oak tree at the bottom is there to represent the tree lined Promenade and streets that Cheltenham is also known for. And finally the towns motto - Salubritas et Eruditio means "Health and Education".

And so ends today's lesson! Does your town or city have a motto?

Bethesda Choir

One thing that photos can't capture is sound. And this photo doesn't convey the lovely sound coming through the open doors. As I walked up Great Norwood Street I could here singing and as I got near to Bethesda Methodist Church I discovered the source - choir practise. I stopped for a bit and had a listen, pretending to fiddle with my camera, and the singers were really good. I'm sure if I had been brave enough to go in they wouldn't have minded, it wouldn't have been very religious if they'd said no! If you click to enlarge the photo you can just see the singers in full swing and also get a better look at the carving round the door.

Candle

Just a quick one today. A simple candle, flickering and glowing.

Sky Watch Friday

The sunset breaking through the clouds over the Malvern hills.


To join in with Sky Watch Friday, and to see the other Sky Watch offerings, head over to the Sky Watch blog.

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Medieval Abbey

My dad lives just the other side of Tewkesbury and on Tuesday night he took us out for something to eat, yet more birthday celebrations involving food! As we walked back to the car my blogging head came into play and I spotted a photo op, and I had my camera with me! This is the famous Abbey framed by one of the flags still flying from the Medieval weekend, that took place in Tewkesbury last month.

This is also my first Photoshop doctored photo. Not hugely different to the original, I was really just playing around, trying to work out all the different features. Thanks Phoebe for installing the software, what would I do without you?

Hit The Road

And that's just what I did. Well...actually...I stood on a bridge over the M5 motorway, but you get the idea! I thought I'd try out my new tripod, and I'm really pleased with the results. I know its not a perfect photo, it would be better with more car lights, but it's not bad for a first attempt. Some of you may remember my photo of the Town Hall, when I had to rest my camera on a skip, well this is much more civilised!

Who feels like making their voice heard? Remember my incident with a security guard in a shopping centre? Head over to South Shields DP to show Curly some support. Things are getting out of hand!

Burger In The Bushes

Behind all this undergrowth is Tailors pub. We went there yesterday for my birthday lunch, they do a delicious homemade burger and chips. No surprises at what we had to eat then! The good thing about Tailors is that it isn't part of one of those large chains, it just an independent bar with good food and some real ales. Needless to say the outdoor seats were empty due to the weather!

Among the gifts I had yesterday were a Photoshop software package and a Tripod! Watch out for some night shots and improved images coming soon!

Art Deco Daffodil

Today's photo is by a guest photographer - Phoebe's Mum P. This is the interior of The Daffodil restaurant. AJC and DJ Groin Strain were down from Manchester for the weekend and the four of us were very kindly treated to lunch at the posh restaurant by P & B (Phoebe and AJC's Mum and Dad.)

The restaurant used to be one of Cheltenham's six cinemas and The Daffodil Cinema opened on 5th October 1922. The cinema remained open until 1963 when it closed its doors for the last time. The art deco building was left to crumble until 1977 when it was converted into a bingo hall and then into an antiques emporium. In 1997 the building was lovingly restored to its art deco glory by new owner Mark Stephens, who opened his restaurant The Daffodil. More recently the buildings interior was redesigned by TV interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. Although the design is relatively modern it still has a 1920's feel, with grand sweeping staircases, dramatic lighting and original features. The kitchen is open to the restaurant and sits in the place once occupied by the cinema screen. And, most importantly, the food and service are fantastic.

Thanks again P & B for lunch and the photo! It was good to see AJC and DJ Groin Strain too!

And finally - its my birthday today. Happy Birthday me!

Bespoke

If you are at the cutting edge of style, and have money to burn, then this is the place for you. Designer furniture, custom made, is the order of the day at Bespoke. I took this photo in the evening, when the place was closed, and I was really drawn to the green tiles and the ornate wrought iron window guards. The contents of the shop didn't do anything for me.

And now, in the style of Ming in New York, it's question time. Have you got anything designer or custom made in your home?

Golden Hour

This green and gold clock is above the front entrance to the shop Marks & Spencers, on the High Street. The clock has been there for what seems like forever, in fact so has M&S! Nothing more to say really, just wanted to share a regular Cheltenham site with you.

Also, the Golden Hour is the 60 minutes after an accident or emergency where the police, fire and ambulance services have the best chance of saving lives.

Sky Watch Friday

Here we are again, another Sky Watch Friday and another week gone by. These are the chimney tops of Boddington Manor, on the outskirts of Cheltenham. The large Manor house is now the headquarters of Robert Hitchins (a house builder) and they must be feeling patriotic, what with the English flag flying. And the sky above is promising another storm (surprise, surprise!)

To join in with Sky Watch Friday, and to see all of the other sky watchers offerings, head over to the Sky Watch Friday blog.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Bad Hair Day

Not only is this guy having a bad hair day but he is also known as Fat Face! This is the sign above the clothes shop Fat Face. The shop is on the Prom and is quite expensive but they do stock some nice things. All I own is one of their belts! Nothing more to say, I just liked this logo.

At The Car Wash

I've been waiting for ages to get a photo of this bubbly Beetle. I keep seeing it driving around town advertising a valeting service and on Monday it was parked in the Prom, so I finally got my photo. Its not the best shot, as the bubbles aren't showing up that well, but it is brilliant for highlighting a recent report in the news.

Back at the end of July The British International Motor Show carried out research into car washing and they discovered that British kids are generating a summer car wash industry worth £50 million! FIFTY MILLION POUNDS! This profit is created by the 64% of parents that pay out £5 a time for their little ones to wash their motors. The following stats are taken from an article at www.easier.com "Three quarters (75%) of the skinflint parents who pay their children £1 or less say it’s because their kids only clean the outside of the car with soap and water. In contrast, over a third of kids (37%) who wash, but also give the interior a thorough clean, make between £5 and £7, and 100% of kids who are paid between £15 and £25 thoroughly wash, wax, buff, vacuum and polish inside and out."

So if your on your school holidays, and you want some extra cash, you know what to do. Get washing!

Busy Blushing

After yesterday's black and white photo I thought I'd go the opposite way today! These bright salmon coloured Busy Lizzies (impatiens) are in one of the flower beds in front of the Municipal Offices on the Prom. I'm surprised to see them flowering so profusely seeing as there has been hardly any sunshine this summer. I think I've mentioned the lack of sun before. What do you mean at least twice a week?! Well its supposed to be August! Where is the sun?!