Day 306/365 (17Sep2024)
So, the clock strikes 5 (or thereabouts), and I'm bursting out of the dining room-turned-office like a racehorse at the starting gate. First stop: 4 Clarence Road, the birthplace of musical genius Gustav Holst. This guy practically invented epic orchestral soundtracks. The Planets? You know it. "Mars, the Bringer of War"? Instant chills.
But Holst wasn't all about cosmic battles. He also wrote the delightful St Paul's Suite, a hidden gem that's basically sunshine and rainbows in musical form.
Next up: Imperial Gardens. Lush greenery, vibrant flowers, Holst's statue looking all wise and contemplative. It's like a scene out of a Jane Austen novel, minus the corsets and awkward social interactions.
Oh, and speaking of flowers, I got totally mesmerised by this one rose. Seriously, it was like a supermodel among petals. And it had this tiny dewdrop that looked like a single, perfect tear. Cue the existential crisis: "Is this rose trying to tell me something profound about the universe?" Probably not.
On my way back, I caught the sunset painting Montpellier Avenue in shades of gold. It was so beautiful it almost made me forget about the confusing door situation I stumbled upon. Seriously, it's like a riddle wrapped in an enigma, topped with a layer of "why?". I stood there for a good five minutes trying to figure out which way was in and which way was out. My brain was doing somersaults!
But hey, that's Cheltenham for you. Never a dull moment. And that's exactly why I love it here.
So, there you have it. A whirlwind evening escapades, complete with musical musings, floral fascinations, architectural bewilderment, and a healthy dose of sunset-induced awe. It's just another day in the life of a slightly scatterbrained, perpetually curious visitor of this quirky little town. And honestly? I wouldn't have it any other way.
