Uplifting Upton

Thought, with all this rain we're having, we needed a little lift. Flowers taken recently at Upton, by the river.

Home View

Looking directly out of my back windows, the very least I see are gorgeous green fields for miles then beautiful hills. Sometimes the fields are dry and corn coloured. Often they flood and then the whole thing turns magically into a stunning lake. We get sheep in there too; er, not when the lake's there. Now, just for a change, we have cows! What fun to have such a diversely changing view.

Looking Down

Sometimes the reflections are more interesting than the building itself. In this case, an apartment block.

Toilet Door

So it's Theme Day again, and the theme is 'Doorways'. This is a loo, recently installed at the Cheltenham Literary Festival as a temporary measure. Now, usually, you would run screaming from a portable toilet, but this one, being Cheltenham, is clearly a luxury one. I didn't go in, but I'm betting there were towels and Lux soap in there... :)

Autumn

Autumn in Cheltenham.

Cheltenham Architecture

Beautiful architecture of Cheltenham. I love these Georgian townhouses.

Contemporary Weir

A contemporary take on the weir at Tewkesbury.

Unusually Crowded Gloucester Docks

This is Gloucester Docks. I find it a pleasant place to be any day of the week for a quick break, watch the birds and the ships etc... I like to be near water. This of course was the day the Queen also came to the docks, hence the flag, of which there were many.

Ahead by a nose

HRH Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, in front, visiting Gloucester Docks and being photographed on both sides.

Worth the Wait?

Gloucester Docks, with crowds of people waiting to see the Queen. We were told her vessel was going to make a circle in the docks so all could see her. Unfortunately it turned around way back here behind the camera, so those people that you see, who had waited for hours, didn't get a good view at all.

Queen Elizabeth Photographed Today

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Phillip sailed into Gloucester Docks today to see the regeneration of Gloucester. They visited Gloucestershire College, then went to GCHQ in Cheltenham in the afternoon. I took quite a few pics at Gloucester of the royal couple, but didn't follow on to GCHQ (Intelligence) as security is so tight there you can't get near. You can see my photographs of the Queen & Prince Phillip in Gloucester here.

Secret Seats

Almost (to me at least!) a scene in St. Petersburg or somewhere with a message to be delivered; "the dog is behind the bush"... ;)

Flocking to Cheltenham

Cheltenham's a popular place; beautiful architecture, restaurants, culture, arts, horseracing, theatre, festivals...you should visit!

Shopping!

I'd love a shopping trip like this one! Imagine getting home with that lot. Lucky lady. Spotted these lovely colourful bags yesterday whilst out at the penultimate day of the Cheltenham Literature Festival. Last day today. You can see my collection of photos of the Cheltenham Literature Festival 2009, here.

Leaves & Laughs

Autumn's really here now with leaves falling all round us as we shop in Cheltenham's Prom area. The town's still full of people attending the Literature Festival with many great speakers and some humour today, from Will Self, Alan Davies and Justin Lee Collins. Still time to book!

Something an MP can smile about

Nick Clegg, MP, arriving at Cheltenham to give a talk. I haven't had a lot of respect for MPs in recent months, but this man yesterday called for more investigation into MPs' expenses and that's what we need. Honesty. Transparency. Two words not associated with MPs this last year, for sure.

Festival Surprise

Steady, girls - and some guys... well what's a woman to do when, strolling around the corner she finds these two handsome men just standing there. It's a photo waiting to happen. All this at the Cheltenham Literature Festival today. Who knew? More photos of the festival here.

Fun in the Sun

At the Literature Festival again in town, spotting people relaxing in the GORgeous sunshine today! It was really very warm. Spotted this shot - through the back of a deckchair. Hope you like it. You can see more Cheltenham Literature Festival photos I took today. Click the pink.

Cheltenham Awash with Stars

Stephen Fry, Michael Palin, Jeremy Paxman, Sebastian Faulks, Andy Williams - they're all in town! Many more too, all here in Cheltenham for this year's literature festival. Lucky people, we are. See who else you'd like to book tickets to see, over the next few days. From 9th - 18th October, Cheltenham Literature Festival Programme
More pics I took of the Festival, here, on Flickr.

Window Dressing

Side view of one of the Ladies of Cheltenham. I get the impression she is staring longingly at the colourful dresses in the window, wishing she wasn't always wearing white. ;)

Ghost Walk

A ghost walking the streets of Cheltenham. Always fun to catch them in a photograph... ;)

Set in Stone

Our municipal offices in Cheltenham are rather grand, a bit like the poor man's Buckingham Palace perhaps? :) Complete with personal guard in stone.

Foot Fashion

Love these boots! I have my eye on a similar pair for the winter. Comfy and stylish. Similar to Ugg boots of course. Are these Uggs?

Park in the Evening

One of the parks in Cheltenham - mid evening - Montpellier. I didn't go in, but it's a very pleasant place during the day. Pretty gardens.

Gloucestershire horse

This horse seemed to pose for me. Sometimes he would turn full on, then step to give me his best side. lol. Beautiful colouring.