Two Things Challenge - Young / Old

This weeks Two Things Challenge is Young / Old and this photo of the view down Montpellier Grove fits perfectly. On the left side of the street is the recently built Century Court (young) and on the right side of the street are the Regency town houses that Cheltenham is famous for (old). I think that covers it.

Which do you prefer?

To join in with the Challenge, or to see who is in this week, head over to the Two Things Challenge Blog.

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.

Sky Watch Friday

Multi-coloured sky

Yes, another Friday, another Sky Watch and another sunset. I just love the colours in this sky. Its just beautiful.

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

Theme Day - Contrast

Its the first day of the month and here in CDPB world its Theme Day. The theme for October is Contrast. Its safe to say I didn't really feel this months theme. I didn't just want to show a colour contrast (although I'm sure there are some fantastic examples out there), instead I went down the slightly off-beat and slightly desperate-for-a-photo route! This is a mobile phone mast with a bird box attached to it, quite a contrast. Good old BTcellnet thinking about how to make money, increase their coverage, put up a huge aerial and care for the birds!

To see other (probably better) photos for this Theme Day head here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Dong! Dinner Is Served

We are still having a look around the shops and restaurants in The Suffolks. This figure is one of a pair, ready with a gong, in the window of Indian restaurant B-Ten. I've had a couple of takeaway meals from here and the food is delicious. Best of all if you collect your food you get a discount off of the bill and if they deliver it to your door you get some free beer. A win win situation!

What is your favourite kind of takeaway meal?

Let There Be Light

And what lights they are! Blimey, look at them. Talk about over the top. And I bet they are a bugger to keep clean, all that dusting! You won't be surprised to hear this isn't someones house but the display of chandeliers in one of the many antique shops in 'The Suffolks'. The area of town has lots of little shops, some arty, some stylish, some filled to the rafters with delightful gems - a bit like this one.

So, would you fancy a grand chandelier hanging in your house? Maybe you've got one. Are they a bugger to clean?

Underneath The Arches

This is St Mary and Corpus Christi Church in Down Hatherley, a little village somewhere between Cheltenham and Gloucester. The site of the church dates from around the 15th century but the main church building is from 1859.

That is it really, just look at the pretty little church!

Sunflower

A bit of Autumn sunshine for Sunday.

Surprise

Another filler photo for the weekend. This one is from the trip I took to the Banksy Exhibition in August. I love his sense of humour. Late post today due to partying last night. And another party tonight! Unsurprisingly I have a hangover. Hope you are having a good weekend.

Sky Watch Friday

Orange Ribbons

Another orange sunset this week but they look so good!

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

Rivers Of Rubbish

The magnificent (not) river that is the River Chelt is hardly the widest deepest torrent of water in the world so you'd think the Council could manage to keep it clean. Apparently not. In the past I've shown you a trolley and a bike dumped in the water, today its a bed and a trailer. How delightful.

Posters

The Brewery complex in town has been open for about three years and several of the units are still empty. In a bid to try and integrate them with the surrounding restaurants and shops the management are hosting an art competition for local school children to brighten up the boarded facades with posters. Nice idea, in fact its...

Feed The Birds...

This is a familiar sight to many Cheltonians - the pigeon lady. Every day she appears on her bike and feeds the pigeons. She puts down bread and seed in several different places and all the birds know her, and are there waiting for their lunch. I took the top photo but have cropped it (see below) but couldn't decided which one to post so you get the wide shot, the cropped shot and the close up shot. Which do you prefer?

And yes, that is a pigeon she is holding!

Non-Humans

I'm easily confused and this poster didn't help. I hadn't seen the news today and thought I'd missed something! But as it was on the door of Cineworld I soon worked out it was to do with a film. Just call me Detective Marley! Anyway, here is what District 9 is all about -

"In 1990, a massive star ship bearing a bedraggled alien population, nicknamed "The Prawns," appeared over Johannesburg, South Africa. Twenty years later, the initial welcome by the human population has faded. The refugee camp where the aliens were located has deteriorated into a militarized ghetto called District 9, where they are confined and exploited in squalor. In 2010, the munitions corporation, Multi-National United, is contracted to forcibly evict the population with operative Wikus van der Merwe in charge. In this operation, Wikus is exposed to a strange alien chemical and must rely on the help of his only two new 'Prawn' friends." Taken from IMDb.

Anyone seen the film? Want to leave a review?

Two Things Challenge - Apple / Eye

A bit of a filler photo for the challenge this week but my cat is the Apple of my Eye! Altogether now - Ahhhh!

If you want to join in with the Two Things Challenge, or to see what others have come up with this week, head over to the Two Things Challenge Blog.

Just Desserts

I'm short of photos so time to share a delicious dessert with you all. This is one of the very fine puddings at The Daffodil restaurant - green apple and calvados parfait with blackberry compote. So there!

Sky Watch Friday

Out Of Africa.

OK. OK. Its not actually Africa but it has that feel. Its actually out of the back of my local community centre! I had to stand on the top of the railings to get high enough above the hedge to take this tree in the distance. The things we do...

To join in with Sky Watch, or to see who is in this week, head over to the Sky Watch Friday Blog.

Short Road

This old fashioned sign is on the back of Martin's Jewellers on the Prom. The bit of road that is Imperial Circus is only a few meters long but must have the grandest sign in Cheltenham!

Tea For Two

This cute couple were in the window of the Art Gallery and Museum, also promoting Affordable Art. They look quite happy at the picnic waiting to tuck into their knitted cupcakes. I want the little rabbit! Sad, I know.

Affordable Art

These bright glass sculptures are in the window of Cheltenham Art Gallery And Museum. They are part of a display advertising Affordable Art in the Museum shop. The Everlasting Flowers are handmade by Gooey Glass, based in Lechlade-on-Thames in the Cotswolds, and are yours for £150 for the large one and £120 for the small one. I need art to be a bit more affordable than that!

Check out Steve Callender's work at Gooey Glass.

Tinkling The Ivories

I suppose I didn't really need to take this photo in black and white, as the piano was already doing it for me! I've always fancied being able to play the piano but its all the learning business that puts me off. I'm just too lazy!

What would you like to have a go at but have never got round to doing?

Sparkle

Today's photo is one for the ladies (and maybe a few of the men!) Not much to say about these shoes apart from they make me think of ballroom dancing!

My mad week is now over so I'll be playing catch up with all of your blogs. Normal service has now resumed!

Stepping Into Autumn

Just another quickie (as it were!) These steps in Pitville Park are showing signs of the Autumn air that is creeping in. The days are sunny (as we always seem to get in September) but the nights are chilly and the winds are starting to blow. It'll be Christmas before you know it!

Court Side

This is the side of the building that was once home to the County Court and has now stood empty for over three years. You can find it in the originally titled County Court Road!

Once again sorry for my absence on the old commenting rounds. I'm a busy boy this week.

Lollipop, Lollipop

Anyone fancy a lollipop? What colour do you want?

Envious?

I'm not. This, as I've said before, is a common sight in not just my town but towns up and down the country, and the world. The economic climate has brought about the closure of dozens of businesses in Cheltenham. I think the Letting agent will have this retail unit on the books for a while to come yet. Green shoots anyone?

Sorry for the lack of comments, as I've said before, I've got loads on this week. I'm sure all your photos are fantastic!

Light Fantastic

Well, not overly fantastic, but new and trendy for Cheltenham. These are the new lights in the ongoing renovation of the Regent Arcade (I told you I was obsessed!)

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.

Sky Watch Friday

Clouds

Its been a while since I posted for Sky Watch but here I am throwing my hat in the ring with this offering. The weather here has been full on Autumn with wind, rain and cold temperatures. The sky has been full of fast moving rain filled clouds. Between the showers I snapped this shot of the sky above my house.

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

Past Times

I must say that cocktail drinking at The Daffodil is not one of my regular pursuits, on the other hand pretending I'm Tom Cruise in the film Cocktail at home is! But last Friday we went there for lunch and having a cocktail in the bar was an essential part of the relaxed midday eating experience.

As I've mentioned before, The Daffodil is a former art deco cinema and this photo (which I have fiddled with slightly) looks like it could have come straight from a 1930's silver screen blockbuster.

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

Theme Day - Big

Another month has gone by and another one begins today. Here in CDPB world the first of the month is Theme Day and the theme for September is 'Big'. I really didn't have a clue what to post this month but luckily Banksy helped me out! This big (fake) spider in a gobstopper machine was one of the exhibits at the Bansky Exhibition in Bristol. As you probably remember we went there last month and waited in a big queue (another big!) to see the illusive artists work. Well worth the wait!

To see what others have come up with for this months Theme Day click here.