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March 30, 2026

The clocks have changed, the daffodils are still out but…. It’s still cold and it’s still wet. That meant The Cape Queen had to choose a cape for her trip into the town and a local bar. But which cape? Clearly there is a massive …

Rain capes Raincapes The Cape Queen

The Cape Queen’s shortest…

by Pluvmantelo

March 23, 2026

Welcome to The Cape Queen’s shortest cape, a recently bought glossy black pvc number that’s certainly decorative and arguably reasonably practical too. It’s already proved popular with some of The Cape Queen’s followers and one passer-by in this Mercia town asked where she’d bought it. …

Rain capes Raincapes Rukka Rukka cape Rukka raincape The Cape Queen

Is it red, is it orange, is it terracotta?

by Pluvmantelo

March 19, 2026

…whatever you call it, it IS The Cape Queen, in a bandstand, in a Rukka cape, enjoying the early Spring sunshine. And why not? A raincape needn’t be worn solely when it’s, well, raining – it can be worn whenever and that’s exactly The Cape …

Klepper Klepper capes Klepper raincape Rain capes Raincapes The Cape Queen

After the green coat the green Klepper cape

by Pluvmantelo

March 16, 2026

It’s back to business as usual as we slot a cape back into our ‘site. And to some of you this’ll be one you’re familiar with as The Cape Queen wore it for our Prestatyn beach shoot at the end of 2024. Clair says it’s …

PVC raincapes PVC raincoat PVC trench coat The Cape Queen

Greensleeves (or is it green sleeves)?

by Pluvmantelo

March 12, 2026

No, not the song allegedly penned by William Shakespeare. It’s an utter revelation – this time we’ve put the capes aside as The Cape Queen wore a lovely pea green PVC trench coat for her early spring walk in a local park. The coat clearly …

Rain capes Raincapes The Cape Queen

Mellow yellow – or is it?

by Pluvmantelo

March 5, 2026

After the red, the yellow, as The Cape Queen donned an old-school cycle cape to thwart the showers that decided to descend on a Mercia town. Luckily the shopping trip was delayed by a matter of seconds as Clair put her cape on. And you …

Rain capes Raincapes The Cape Queen

Red for danger – or is it pillar box red?

by Pluvmantelo

March 2, 2026

There’s no denying just how eye-catching this long red, shiny pvc cape is and as the saying goes, the shinier the cape, the closer to God. It’s a mantra that certainly applies to this excellent voluminous number. It’ll come as no surprise that The Cape …

Rain capes Raincapes The Cape Queen

Not for the shy or retiring

by Pluvmantelo

February 26, 2026

There was certainly no hiding place for The Cape Queen as she strode out on to the moors in her bright – no, make that BRIGHT – cape. If it wasn’t bright enough already the winter sunshine added some more illumination and the result was …

Rain capes Raincapes The Cape Queen

The blue cape remix – The Cape Queen remixes images….

by Pluvmantelo

February 23, 2026

We’ve already seen this long clear blue cape in a very recent posting, but here are the images for a second time, re-mixed by The Cape Queen for added vibrancy. Writing this on a wet, windy and grey February it’s clear the end of 2025 …

Rain capes Raincapes The Cape Queen

Some sun, some BIG open spaces – and a white cape

by Pluvmantelo

February 19, 2026

Yes, it’s almost the same title as the last post, but who cares? The weather was fabulous, with mega-blue skies, a proper wintery low temperature and, to warm things up, Clair The Cape Queen in a stunning shorter white cape. Now let’s be honest: White …

Rain capes Raincapes The Cape Queen

Some sun, some BIG open spaces – and a blue cape

by Pluvmantelo

January 12, 2026

Winter’s here but with it can often come blue skies and the opportunity to get out and explore. So it’ll probably come as no surprise to you that The Cape Queen’s been enjoying some countryside walks. It was a windy day but with her long …

Railway stations Rain capes Raincapes Stone The Cape Queen

Happy New Year – we’re back on track for 2026

by Pluvmantelo

January 8, 2026

HaHa – forgive the pun as we hit the 2026 ground running but a New Year brings a new fresh zeal for more of Clair The Cape Queen out ‘n’ about exploring while wearing one of her many, many capes. At the end of last …

Rain capes Raincapes

A bit of a 2025 Cape Queen look-back

by Pluvmantelo

December 22, 2025

It’s been a pretty busy year for The Cape Queen and hopefully you have enjoyed all her shoots, wherever we’ve been and whatever the weather. There’s more to come but we hope you’ll enjoy this look back to some of The Cape Queen’s 2025 days …

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Capes on Tour – Back in ’burg

by Pluvmantelo

December 18, 2025

Following on from our last post, which showed Hamburg by night and in ultra-evocative monotone, we’re back but this time with more than a splash of colour. And Clair The Cape Queen has definitely more than fallen for the maroon nylon cape, which brings some …

Hamburg Rain capes Raincapes

Capes on Tour – Hamburg

by Pluvmantelo

December 15, 2025

T’is the season and all that and after a busy year The Cape Queen jumped aboard a ship for a well-deserved trip to Hamburg. And while there it was cape-wearing time, and a look around this highly-regarded city which by day and by night never …

Rain capes Raincapes

Orange cape’s really appealing!

by Pluvmantelo

December 12, 2025

Time to clear the cobwebs after too long at work, so The Cape Queen bade farewell to the city and headed out onto the moors for an afternoon of big blue skies and a very long walk. Re-creating the look of a 1960s and 1970s …

Rain capes Raincapes

Bus station in an almost modernist style, with a maroon cape…

by Pluvmantelo

December 8, 2025

Sunshine and showers – a good excuse for an afternoon out and the early-Winter sunshine shone beautifully off The Cape Queen’s unusually-coloured nylon cape. There’s no getting away from the fact a maroon-coloured raincape is unusual but it really looks the part, being both formal …

Macclesfield Rain capes Raincapes

A grey day in Macclesfield

by Pluvmantelo

December 1, 2025

There’s nothing wrong with some grey capeage and that was certainly the case when The Cape Queen went back to Macclesfield for some architectural studying. It was undeniably grey but the equally grey cape, while mirroring the clouds, looked pleasingly different and received some favourable …

Rain capes Raincapes Rukka cape Stone

Stone again – in red

by Pluvmantelo

November 27, 2025

A red Rukka cape, an old, abandoned warehouse and The Cape Queen – an interesting combination. Out on one of her industrial archaeology expeditions Clair donned her long, brick red Rukka for some old-building studying. OK, it wasn’t raining, but for protection against brambles and …

Beach Beaches Rain capes Raincapes Sand

On the beach

by Pluvmantelo

November 24, 2025

There’s nothing better than getting away from the town on a cold, sunny day and blowing away the work cobwebs and headaches is part of the Cape Queen’s life, so what better than a trip to a beach in the North West? Big blue skies, …

Bic pens Macclesfield PVC PVC capes Rain capes Raincapes

Caped and putting pen to paper in the park

by Pluvmantelo

November 20, 2025

Being outside, whatever the weather (well most of the time) is a great way to gather inspiration – clearly it’s a mantra The Cape Queen agrees with as she sat in a local park gathering ideas for some writing. Old-school Bic four-colour pen in hand, …

Macclesfield PVC capes Rain capes Raincapes

A return to Macclesfield

by Pluvmantelo

November 17, 2025

Back to Macclesfield and Clair the Cape Queen was given a true Derbyshire wet welcome. But did she care? No! Thanks to her recently-acquired PVC cape the rain was a mere nuisance and nothing else. And the grey cape really looked the part with The …

PVC capes Rain capes Raincapes

Hypnotised by The Cape Queen

by Pluvmantelo

November 13, 2025

On her many walks around nearby towns Clair The Cape Queen’s really looking at the architecture and her belief that you should look above you is true. She enjoys older buildings and came across this unoccupied shop, complete with show poster in the doorway. We …

PVC capes Rain capes Raincapes

Blue cape, yellow van

by Pluvmantelo

November 10, 2025

Since autumn started there’s scarcely been any sunshine, which suits The Cape Queen admirably. It gives her more opportunities to select a cape from her collection, get out and do some exploring. That was the case on a very wet day a few weeks back …

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A cape mix and match

by Pluvmantelo

November 6, 2025

As the end of the year draws ever closer it’s time to have a look back at some of The Cape Queen’s shoots. We went to (among other places) Congleton, Macclesfield and Stone and, of course, to Magpie Mine, a location that’s so good we’ll …

Rain capes Raincapes

Back at Lytham

by Pluvmantelo

November 3, 2025

There’s so much of Britain’s coast that isn’t cheap and tacky and that’s the case with Lytham which, while close to Blackpool, lacks its neighbour’s in-your-face good-time-gal image. But, like Blackpool, Lytham has wonderful sands: Clair The Cape Queen loves this part of the North …

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WaHaHa – The Cape Queen’s All Hallows ‘Eve special

by Pluvmantelo

October 31, 2025

With All Hallows’ Eve upon us Clair The Cape Queen donned a suitably pumpkin-orange cape to mark the observance of Allhallowtide. Far from the corrupted way Halloween has changed to, courtesy of those on the other side of the Atlantic, Allhallowtide is a time to …

Rain capes Raincapes Stone

Capes on tour: Back to Stone in black and white

by Pluvmantelo

October 30, 2025

Yes, we love colour images and especially when they have the air of those 1970s processed prints: the shade of those colour prints is really evocative. But so too is black and white, as we see here from The Cape Queen’s trip to Stone railway …

Rain capes Raincapes

Capes on tour: Yet more (yes really) Magpie Mine cape goodness

by Pluvmantelo

October 27, 2025

Not again you might say, but who’s going to complain when we’re reminded of The Cape Queen’s Magpie Mine outing? And here’s a mix of black and red cape goodness in one post. The black cape’s definitely an old one, we think coming from the …

Oilskin capes Rain capes Raincapes

Capes on tour: More from Magpie Mine

by Pluvmantelo

October 20, 2025

Looking back to our ‘summer’ shoot there was very little difference from the weather in west Wales in mid-October. Wet and windy: ideal conditions for cape-wearing then. One of The Cape Queen’s older oilskin capes certainly came in handy for some industrial archaeology exploration and …

Rain capes Raincapes Rukka capes Stone

Capes on tour: Back in Stone

by Pluvmantelo

October 9, 2025

Stone – a smaller Midlands town with some top-class older architecture. Clair the Cape Queen likes urban exploring and she was back in Stone for a further look around. On this day the weather was grey and damp – what better excuse to don her …

Bic pens Leek Rain capes Raincapes

Capes on tour: Leek (again) a cape and the Bic pen

by Pluvmantelo

October 6, 2025

Clair The Cape Queen enjoys writing and does so on a regular basis. But not for her the tippy-tappy of the keyboard but the more traditional way: a pen and paper. And Clair’s favourite pens are the Bic four-colour types, which she uses not only …

Rain capes Raincapes

Capes on tour: Blackpool

by Pluvmantelo

October 3, 2025

Ah, the great British seaside, a peculiar mix of the subtle and the quaint and the downright in-your-face vulgar. At Pluvmantelo we like both and especially the latter. And there’s no better personification of the jaunty old-school British seaside than dear old Blackpool, home of …

Magpie Mine Rain capes Raincapes Rukka cape

Capes on tour: Magpie Mine, part 3

by Pluvmantelo

September 22, 2025

There was no mistaking where Clair The Cape Queen: her red Rukka cape stood out against the grass and the old buildings that were once part of this busy mine. Now, other than the sound of the stiff breeze and the birds, the only thing …

Magpie Mine PVC PVC capes Rain capes Raincapes

Capes on tour: More from Magpie Mine

by Pluvmantelo

September 18, 2025

What an afternoon that was and looking back it’s hard to believe that was in late July. Still, Clair The Cape Queen’s historic exploration of Magpie Mine wasn’t postponed, despite the rain. And yes, her 1980s clear red cape meant she was protected against the …

PVC PVC capes PVC raincapes Rain capes Raincapes

Capes on tour: Magpie Mine

by Pluvmantelo

September 15, 2025

Looking back at all our posts with Clair The Cape Queen it’s clear there haven’t been enough red capes. Blues and greens and yellows tend to be the most featured shades so it’s time to give the red capes more of a look-in and especially …

Leek Music shops PVC capes PVC raincapes Rain capes Raincapes

Capes on tour: Leek. Part 2

by Pluvmantelo

September 11, 2025

Compare and contrast – here are black and white versions of the last post and there’s no es-cape-ing just how good they are. Yes, colour images, suitably knocked back to re-create those colour prints of the 1970s work well, but so does black and white. …

Leek Music shops PVC PVC capes PVC raincapes Rain capes Raincapes

Capes on tour: Leek. Part 1

by Pluvmantelo

September 8, 2025

Staffordshire called once again for The Cape Queen who went in search of stationery to complete some much-needed correspondence. But before buying the necessary pens and paper – and some pencils for her drawing hobby – there was time for a stroll around the town. …

Klepper Klepper capes Rain capes Raincapes Stone Stone railway station

Capes on tour: Stone in black and white. Part 7

by Pluvmantelo

September 3, 2025

We’re continuing or visit to Stone thread but, this time, in monotone. And why not? A black and white image conveys something quite different from a colour one and there’s a real link with the past. Anyway, Clair The Cape Queen is looking to return …

Klepper Klepper capes Rain capes Raincapes Stone Stone railway station

Capes on tour: Stone, Staffordshire. Part 6

by Pluvmantelo

September 1, 2025

It’s a return to Stone railway station where Clair the Cape Queen had donned her Klepper cape for some industrial architecture exploring. Mid-summer it might have been, but the skies were grey, there were intermittent showers and the breeze strong, the latter causing Clair’s heavy …

Klepper Klepper capes Rain capes Stone

Capes on tour: Stone, Staffordshire. Part 5

by Pluvmantelo

August 28, 2025

There’s something intriguing about a properly traditional Midlands town that then surprises with Brutalist-style concrete, and that was the case here. Clair The Cape Queen discovered this canal path under a bridge, complete with latter-day urban graffiti. We know that capes and concrete go well …

Magpie Mine Rain capes

Capes on tour: Magpie Mine. Part 2

by Pluvmantelo

August 25, 2025

Clair The Cape Queen’s at home in the great outdoors, whatever the weather. Of course a cape makes that out door enjoyment even more so. And as we’ve already seen the weather wasn’t so good the day Clair made the long journey to this top-class …

Car accessory shops Oilskin Oilskin capes Rain capes Raincapes Stone

Capes on tour: Stone, Staffordshire. Part 4

by Pluvmantelo

August 21, 2025

Back to Stone and Clair The Cape Queen came across a proper car accessory shop. Once a common sight in almost any high street many have suffered as motorists go online to buy their car’s needs. Of course, that means a motorist doesn’t get that …

Hunter boots Magpie Mine Rain capes Raincapes

Capes on tour: Magpie Mine

by Pluvmantelo

August 18, 2025

Head into the heart of Clair The Cape Queen’s domain and you’ll find Magpie Mine, Derbyshire’s last working lead mine. Situated high up in the Peak District it’s a fantastic survivor and one that’s a reminder of the nation’s past, closing in 1958. But while, …

Rain capes Rukka Rukka capes Stone

Capes on tour: Stone, Staffordshire. Part 3

by Pluvmantelo

August 14, 2025

Railway station architecture: the earlier British station design was a thing of majesty, sometimes taking styling cues from churches. And in many ways railway stations of the Victorian and Edwardian eras really ways cathedral of steam, moving people and goods en masse before the internal …

Raincapes Rukka Rukka capes Stone

Capes on tour: Stone, Staffordshire. Part 2

by Pluvmantelo

August 11, 2025

The Cape Queen doesn’t mind a bit of shopping every now and then and while in Stone she came across this excellent emporium. As you can see, she was especially taken by the selection of brushes and brooms – and you have to agree shopping …

Klepper Klepper capes Rain capes Raincapes

Capes on tour: Stone, Staffordshire

by Pluvmantelo

August 7, 2025

Stone’s a proper, traditional English town and it’s the template for what a town should be like. It’s bustling, courtesy of its variety of shops (independent and chain) and there’s plenty of car parking. Its architecture adds to the traditional town feeling that there’s no …

Bormax Bormax capes Rain capes

Caped gardening with Miss Pluv’

by Pluvmantelo

August 6, 2025

Whatever the time of year Miss Pluv’ will always have gardening jobs to tackle and this time rain was threatened. No excuses, she went into the hallway and picked up her red Bormax cape – after all, why should the bad weather stop her getting …

Longnor Rain capes

Capes on Tour: Longnor – part 3, the village bus stop

by Pluvmantelo

July 28, 2025

It’s time to be controversial but Clair The Cape Queen and the editor have a strong feeling this is the best shoot to date. Sometimes it’s hard to know why, but with such an elegant rain cape to the fore, combined with the excellent post-war …

Longnor Rain capes

Capes on Tour: Longnor – part 2

by Pluvmantelo

July 24, 2025

You’ll find Longnor nestling in the Peak District and, if you’re lucky, you might spot the Cape Queen there too. Clair took to the highways of Staffordshire for some architectural exploration and took a cape with her, in this case her heavy 1970s one. And …

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