Westgate Inn

The Westgate pub is funnily enough just across from the Westgate. The Inn was originally a private house and was converted in 1892. The pub used to be known as the Westgate Hotel until 2005 when it changed its name to the Westgate Inn to comply with EU regulations. It still has overnight accommodation and its rooms are named after famous people who have visited Winchester, such as Keats, Wren and Raleigh.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Favourite door

In Sussex Street I have a favourite door - this is it. This light green colour is all the rage for front doors in Winchester! And I just knew that this one would have a lovely festive garland on it

Home decor

Love those 'curtains', a new trend for 2012 perhaps! What do you think - students?

Light of Bengal

 It doesn't look like the classiest place, perhaps not the best choice for a first date? However the Light of Bengal does a very nice Indian take away and is the closest to home. Very useful when no-one wants to cook!

Quirky window

When I walk to my piano lessons I pass by this house which has this unusual sculpture in the bedroom window! Well the sculpture is not unusual in itself but its location is!

Merry Christmas

I know I have not kept up with the daily aspect of my blog recently! But thanks to everyone who has visited or commented its really appreciated. I think I am getting a new camera for Christmas so hopefully that will inspire me! Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas Market has finished

The Christmas Market is over now, it seemed to be more popular than ever this year.

New bollards?

In the Brooks Centre there is a 'pop up shop art shop' where I noticed bollards being (re)painted. Here are in some of them in The Square.

Brooks Centre

Here's a photo of the Christmas tree at the Brooks Shopping Centre, it has some lovely colours. Here are some of last year's decorations at the shopping centre

Ducks

The Itchen River runs alongside the River Park Leisure Centre and there are always a lot of ducks around.

A wet Sunday

It rained a fair amount this afternoon as you can see from this photo. I have also noticed over the past few weeks more and more market stalls in the High Street, they are actually sometimes a bit of a nuisance, especially when it is as busy as it has been in the last few days, crossing from one side of the street to another becomes very difficult at times, and it seems that shop owners aren't too happy either.

Skaters

The ice rink in action this afternoon, pretty quiet which is good as skating with a whole bunch of people is not fun! The Independent newspaper has recently voted Winchester Ice Rink as the 2nd best in Britain!

War memorial

The poppy wreaths were still in place at the war memorial in front of the cathedral, looking very bright on the misty morning that I was there

Misty path

The path to the cathedral from The Square was shrouded in mist the other day. Here is the same view from last December!

Gravestones

A a misty morning at the cathedral

Cryptic Post!

I wish I could post more on what happened near our house 2 nights ago, but I'm not quite sure what it was! The label of this post gives some clues and I have been scouring local websites such as this one or this to find out what went on, but nothing so far! At the time it was very tempting to take photos but my other half said I might get in trouble (see here)! The next morning we found something highly suspicious in the location of this photo and believe it must be somehow connected to the previous night's activity...

Penguins on ice

A spotted these penguins waiting on the ice rink before it opened, I'm not quite sure what they are for, any ideas?

Houses of Hyde

These houses in Hyde Street have 4 stories by the looks of it, as you can see the basement 'window' at street level. One of these properties sold about a year ago for £345000. These houses have a flint and brick facade which quite a few houses in the Winchester area have.

Caracoli

This is a new coffee shop that has just opened in Winchester. Despite the recession apparently the owners had to wait 2 years for a vacant unit in the High Street. The previous occupants Shakeaway have recently moved round the corner.

The cafe also serves lovely cakes I'm reliably informed that are made down the road in Twyford.

Leaves

 

Leaves in the cathedral grounds

Grey

The weather the other day was very wet and grey at the cathedral.