Playful Pooch

I poked my head into Cobden Chambers at lunchtime, just to see if anything was going on, when this little fellow came toddling towards me.

You have to agree he's a cute little fellow. Getting on a bit I think, by the greying of his fur round his face. Very friendly too. I gave him some patting, while he sniffed me. He could probably smell Oscar & Marmalade on me.

Bed Of Roses

Bed of roses. Well not quite. Wild flowers more like. But certainly a bed of them in two senses of the word.

The secret area of Cobden Chambers is rapidly taking shape, with the opening of a couple more shops and some more decoration.

Waiting For Death

Whilst visiting Cobden Chambers, I came across another one of the sculptures that have been made by apprentices.

I'm not sure if I like this one or not.  It looks a bit morbid to me, and the hole in his chest reminds me of the scene in Alien, when the monster bursts out of John Hurt.

I once saw a fantastic spoof of that scene on TV, where instead of it being a baby alien, it was Sooty!

Rescued

An area of the city centre that has been abandoned for the last twenty years, is slowly coming back to life.

Cobden Chambers only appears to be accessible from a small alleyway just off a main thoroughfare. People have not even be aware of it's existence. Maybe that's why its been left alone for such a long time.

But plans are in hand to turn it into a little oasis of independent shops. A couple have recently opened; one selling vintage goods, another which looked like stationery, as the shop was closed and I could only see them through the window.

A lot of work has already taken place to make the area look attractive, with bright colours and murals. And as you can see, another of the buildings is currently being renovated.