Montpellier Street, Cheltenham, 22nd December 2009

It had been a week of bitterly cold weather but this sharp bright day was the last of the real freeze. Still, beneath these cold-shrivelled balloons the street was edged with dirty snow, and the pavements off the main roads were evilly slippery rinks. After the blizzards and fog the sky had a pure clean look, and its colours graded evenly down from the deep zenith blue to a peach horizon. The low yellow evening light gave false warmth to the buildings, and far far further above caught the thin arc of a dusk moon.

High Street Kensington, 19th December 2009

Shades of deja vu - last year at a similar time of year I'd seen a similar cluster in a similar tree on the same street. I prefer this shot though, largely thanks to the lights.

Vere Street, 13th December 2009

One of those windy evenings that flips between cold and clear and sweeping rain frequently and with little pattern. It was unfortunate that I came across this one during one of the wet episodes. Not wanting to dwell on this I took a couple and hurried on, although looking at the ugly blur of this I think I should have stayed longer in the rain.

Northdown Street, 8th December 2009

This pink star was snagged in a far corner of London outside the King Charles I pub, to which this was my first visit (it had a 12.1% stout and the mounted front half of a monitor lizard on the wall). It was a dark road on a slick night, and without a serious flash this was always going to be a murky shot. To the eye, though, the star added a cheery note to a gloomy night (and I mean gloomy solely in reference to the weather).

Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, 6th December 2009

And more in Leicester, this time tangled in some high beam on the towering new north stand of the Tigers' rugby stadium. The cavernous stand was silent and empty but was flooded with golden winter light, and this cluster hung and bobbed like a Christmas decoration from the rafters. Whether they were connected to the club I can't say - there hadn't been a match in eight days and the home colours are largely green, but it seems the most likely source regardless. I've never been to a game at the ground, though, so don't know if red and white balloon releases are part of their matchday pomp.

Granby Street, Leicester, 29th November 2009

Back in Leicester, and another wet night found this one rolling around on a crowded Saturday street. I'd spotted it from a way away, and was concerned when it was approached by a small group ahead of us - I hoped they'd be gentle. Happily an idle kick was all it received, leaving it intact for my approach.