Goodbye 2012

I am for those clouds parting and plenty of sunshine showing up for 2013.  Happy New Year to you ALL!

This was taken yesterday about a mile from the Coventry City boundary.  The rain stopped but promptly started up again. More rain today.  

Skywatch Friday - Sun Block

Baginton Oak in the Village of Baginton

This photo was taken in early November.  It is the Baginton Oak and (hang on to your hat) is 300 to 350 years old and said to be one of the oldest trees in the County of Warwickshire.   We do have the occasional very hot day.  I think this would be a fine source of shade on such a day :).

Clouds are doing a pretty good job of blocking the blue sky in Coventry.  I am going to follow this link to see sky photos from around the world - SKYWATCH FRIDAY. Join me!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thatched Roof Thursday #11 - Brinklow

Rain, rain, and more rain can produce a little extra greenery on some thatched roof cottages.  This is a good example of what I mean.  Hopefully, in the warmer months I can show you this sweet Grade II listed cottage with beautiful flowered vines and a little less moss on the roof.

Next week we are back to the cottage in Coventry that is being re-thatched.  Not much work has been done this week...think that could have something to with Christmas :).

PS.  Happy Birthday, Lottie & Dave too !

X Is For Kisses

Greetings to you all.
It is Boxing Day in England.
Hope you have had a wonderful
Christmas.
Cheers!
Lauren xx

The letter 'X' can be found mostly at the end of a letter or note or even in lattice leaded windows at Blue Coat School.  For more photos featuring the letter 'X' follow this link - ABC Wendesday.

This photo was taken on Heritage Day looking through the leaded windows at Blue Coat School.  Think that is a tour group being filmed for local TV.

Merry Christmas

I get to go through that gate later today to celebrate Christmas over dinner with family and friends.  Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!

St Andrews Church, Rugby

I picked this photo for Christmas Eve because I thought a church would be nice and so would some blue sky.  We haven't had much of that lately.  Poor Santa is going to get drenched when he arrives in England tomorrow.

As I am typing this, it is already Christmas in other parts of the world.  I have a few hours to wait....better get those last minute jobs done :).

Not A Sound

Early morning at our golf course. So still, so silent, so missed my putt on a green over there.  

Take a look at more photographs featuring the sky by clicking on this link - Skywatch Friday.

Four more sleeps until Christmas :).  Enjoy your weekend!  

Thatched Roof Thursday #10 - Update

Cruck House, Hinckley Road, Walsgrave, Coventry

One week on from Thatched Roof Thursday #9 and this is how the cottage looked yesterday.  The old straw has been removed (but it looks like not all of it), and the thatchers are just starting to put fresh straw on the roof.  It was raining yesterday (and again today).   So we drove by and my sweet husband stopped long enough for me to get this photo.  Sorry, if you were in one of the cars behind and had to wait :).

W Is For West Window...

...Coventry Cathedral's Great West Window, that is.

Screen of Saints and Angels
Engraved by John Hutton

This is the main entrance to the new Coventry Cathedral.  You can see the reflection of the ruins of the old Cathedral (which is behind me) in this magnificent window.  This window is 70 feet high and 45 feet wide.  The glass is supported by a bronze framework.

Main Entrance, Coventry Cathedral

For more photographs featuring words beginning with 'W' follow the link - ABC Wednesday.

Message To My Friends

I took this picture recently because I thought the sugar and creamer (on the top shelf) might make a nice Christmas present for someone.  It did.  It is sitting on my kitchen counter now :).

We are all embarking on the joyous season that is Christmas and New Year.   For the next couple of  weeks it is going to be a hit and miss agenda for me as to when I can add photos to this blog.  I am well behind in my Christmas preparations and not organised enough to do postings every day.  Equally, I am still saddened by the events in Connecticut.

See you at least a couple times this week. 

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Another shot from the golf course, taken possibly 30 minutes after last week's photo facing in a different direction.  Amazing!

For more photos featuring the sky follow the link to SKYWATCH FRIDAY.

Have a wonderful weekend all.  Many of you will be busy Christmas shopping, taking pictures and having fun.  Stay safe and warm.  See you next week.

Thatched Roof Thursday #9 - Coventry

I found a house which is in the early stages of being re-thatched.  It is cold out. That is frost on the roof.  The nice man up there explained that the old thatch has to be removed before renewing the thatch.  It will take about 3 weeks.

Cruck House, Hinckley Road, Walsgrave, Coventry

This thatched house is possibly late 1700's and is described as a Medieval cruck timber frame (Grade II listed) building. Can't wait to see the progress of re-thatching.

V Is For Vanilla...

...Vanilla Latte, that is on the 12th of the 12th, 2012.

Not the most exciting of shots for ABC Wednesday.  But, I can tell you that having a coffee in the structure shown below IS exciting and most enjoyable.  Today I did just that.

Caffe Nero, Lower Precinct

Above is the 'round cafe', built in the 1950's as part of Coventry's redevelopment after the WWII.  Today it is a coffee bar and a super place to visit.

For more V photos from around the world, visit ABC WEDNESDAY and enjoy!

Founded in 1567 - Rugby School

Rugby School, Rugby

Rugby School is one of the oldest independent (private) schools in Britain. I understand there is a 'tour'. It is on my list. An interesting titbit:  Rugby School was founded and provided for by Lawrence Sherrif in his will. Lawrence Sherrif made his fortune by supplying groceries to Queen Elizabeth I.  Not bad.

Last week, I did a piece on William Webb Ellis. That is his statute with a broad view of one small corner of Rugby School behind. More to follow after I go on that tour.  

And Now For Something Completely Different....

...they are performing, pretending to be ABBA and posing for me all at the same time.

Deja Vous, Abba Tribute Band

This was taken at a dinner dance at Weston Hall Hotel, Bulkington, on Saturday. I brought my camera in hopes I could get a shot of the band.  For me, this involves mostly looking at a LCD screen on the back of my point and shoot Panasonic. To my surprise when I looked up, these two were posing for me and I got a clear picture.  Hooray!  And, thank you.

Clear and Frosty

This may be the real reason I am recovering from a cold today :).  This was taken last Sunday.  When I left home about 7.45am, it was -5°C and very frosty.  This was taken about 90 minutes later on Ansty Golf Course, about 10 minutes from where I live in Coventry.

For more photographs from around the world featuring the sky follow this link -  Skywatch Friday.

I am off on a mission now to get well. Thanks for all your advice and good wishes yesterday.  Have a safe and cheerful weekend.

Thatched Roof Thursday # 8 - Brandon

I have been waiting for ages to photograph this thatched roof in the sunshine.  (Did that at weekend.)  This cottage dates back to about 1640 and is described as a large, light framed Grade II listed cottage.  Pretty big for a cottage, I would say.  I love the detail around the chimney.  Looks as if the thatch has been turned back.  Lovely.

When I was in Rugby yesterday, I got so cold that I got a cold :(.  Hope you all out there are keeping well.  Cheers!

U Is For Union....

...Rugby Union, that is.

William Webb Ellis
1806 - 1872
(Sculptor Graham Ibbeson)

Today we went to Rugby to have the car serviced.  Hooray, I found my 'U' for ABC Wednesday.  The roots of the game of rugby union can found here in the town of Rugby.  Rumour has it that this young man, William Webb Ellis, is credited for being the first to run with a ball in a football game at Rugby School in 1823.

There is a gold mine of things to share with you in Rugby, only 15 minutes from Coventry.   I will have to start with Rugby School (seen behind statute) someday soon.

Please view more photographs from around the world featuring the letter 'U' at ABC Wednesday.

Corridor Of Bayley Lane

This narrow part of Bayley Lane is home to St. Mary's Hall, first built in 1340's (left).  'The Cottage' (centre) is a fine example of a medieval timber framed house built about 1500.  The outside walls of Coventry Cathedral is on the left.  All of what you see survived the WWII.

I used to work in St. Mary's Hall.  I had the pleasure of stepping into this Lane regularly as did my husband who also worked there.

Bayley Lane, Coventry

Bayley Lane - A Little Family History

Before WWII my husband's mum and family lived here (to the right of where I am standing).  The buildings are all gone now.  

Bayley Lane, Coventry

Before the war in 1936, his mum was married in Coventry Cathedral because that was her Parish Church and soon after moved outside Coventry.  During the bombing of Coventry, her father and brothers still lived in Bayley Lane and survived.

The building on the left is part of Drapers' Hall.  (I will cover that building in another posting some day.)  The Old Cathedral is straight ahead and the New Cathedral is beyond.  The brown panel on the right is one of about 6 steel panels naming businesses that were here before the war.

Old Coventry Cathedral,
Bayley Lane 

PS.  Happy Birthday, Peter!

100 Steps From My Street

So here is the sequence on Thursday:  1) Wake up and look out the window.  2) Notice a beautiful moon setting in the early morning.  3) Get dressed really quick.  4) Head out my door in 'my street', turn right at the corner and walk about 100 paces to the top of the hill.  5) Start taking pictures....!

Last week  I showed you this view almost completely flooded.  Things are improving.  Less rain helps :).

Today is City Daily Photo Theme Day and the topic is 'My Street'.  I can promises you that my actual street in a residential area being dug up because there is a gas leak somewhere....so I would much rather show you this view nearby.

For more 'My Street' views from around the world, follow the CDP THEME DAY LINK.

Have a good weekend everyone.  See you next week!

The Fog Has Lifted

This is my effort to tie up a loose end.  A month ago I took the same photo in the FOG.  A few weeks later, this was the view on a clear morning.  (Visualise me scrambling around to ditch my golf clubs and find my camera.  I did.)  Below is a wider shot.

5th Green Ansty Golf Club
Oxford Canal beyond

Welcome to Skywatch Friday.  For more photos from around the world featuring the sky follow this Skywatch Friday link.

The Plan:  To be back tomorrow because it is City Daily Photo Theme Day.  So much going on :).

PS.  Many, many thanks to you who so kindly leave comments from time to time on this blog.  They are fun to read, helpful and appreciated.  Thank you!!!!

T Is Definitely For Thatched

Here is my Thatched Roof Thursday # 7 (on ABC Wednesday)!

This is such a clean cut thatched roof, I had to use it at some point.  It is a modern home and yet still thatched. Great!  And, yes, the house is in Dunchurch (not far from Coventry).

OK folks, I am going to have to double up here and keep this one up today and tomorrow and (regrettably, ha ha) have a day off tomorrow to do some Christmas shopping.

Follow the link for more photographs featuring the letter 'T' on ABC WEDNESDAY.

Back on Friday :).

What Are You Looking At?

Reply:  'The View.'  This is what you see when you walk through the archways (seen yesterday).  Go up those stairs and stand next to my best mate and enjoy the view and gardens.

Even on a rainy day it is a pretty nice spot at the back of the Dunchurch Park Hotel & Conference Centre.  No mountains though, just Warwickshire hills.  You see here a small portion of the gardens at the hotel.  The hotel is huge. If you are interested in history going back to 1767, follow this LINK.

Got a problem.  Tomorrow is ABC Wednesday and the letter is 'T'.  So it has got to be 'thatched' for me.  So 'Thatched Thursday' will be a day early this week.

Through the Archways

Dunchurch Park Hotel and Conference Centre

Come through the archways with me and tomorrow I'll show you a little more of this land that came into the possession of  King George III in 1767.

Collection Of Raindrops

This was taken about an hour ago.  I am standing on a footpath that runs along side the Sowe River (near our home).  Normally, you would see a golf course with school playing fields beyond.  Today you see a lake.

Copsewood Grange Golf Club
Coventry

We have had quite a bit of rain in the last couple of days.  More rain tonight.  Below is a photo I took this afternoon showing the footpath and golf course.  All the areas covered in water should be grass. 

Amazing, it is Skywatch Friday already.  For more photos from around the world, follow the link to SKYWATCH FRIDAY.

It has been quite a week here.  I am definitely chilling out for a couple of days.   Take care you all and have a good weekend.  Cheers!

Thatched Roof Thursday #6 - Dunchurch

This is a timber framed thatched cottage dating from the 17th Century.  It is a Grade II Listed building and the design includes that interesting thatched pheasant (my guess) on top.  There have been a number of additions and alterations each century to this cottage but this is how it looks from the front today.

Happy Thanksgiving to my friends and family in USA.  Have a great day!  

'S' Is For Spires....

Coventry's Three Spires, that is.  See if you can spot them.

Coventry, England
View from Baginton Village

There you have it - Coventry's skyline.  It isn't easy to spot all three spires (Coventry Cathedral, Holy Trinity Church and Christ Church) these days.  Before the construction of several high rise buildings, it was those Three Spires that dominated the skyline in Coventry from the 14th Century.

This my offering for ABC Wednesday.  For more photographs featuring the letter 'S' follow the link to ABC WEDNESDAY.

Happy Birthday, Richard!

Narrow Boats on the Oxford Canal

Taken from Ansty Golf Course Canal Bridge
(Looking South)

The Oxford Canal is 78 miles long and meanders through the countryside, towns and villages between Oxford and Coventry.  There is a nice public toe path along side the canal.  These photos were taken on a frosty morning last Sunday.

Taken from Ansty Golf Club Canal Bridge
(Looking North)

Autumn Leaves and Gulls

Here are the Autumn Leaves....

Ansty Golf Club
(Taken yesterday - it was cold but sunny.)

And, below we have some gulls, possibly 'urban' gulls, on an outing to the countryside.

I did a little research on seagulls. We are definitely not in an urban area here but we aren't far from villages and cities.  These might be herring gulls which have adapted well to urban environment  but are consider to be a bit of a menace.   It is likely that these gulls have never seen the seaside.  Maybe they should be called 'rural' gulls.  Happily, they are not bothering anyone, but they better move soon because golf balls will be peppering that green soon.  

Skywatch Friday - Coventry's Market Cross....

...together with Holy Trinity Church Spire against a blue sky (hooray!).

Coventry Cross & Holy Trinity Spire

Cookoo Lane, Coventry

A market cross is found in towns and villages denoting a market square in a market town.  The cross photographed here (unveiled in 1976) is common in many medieval market towns.  There have been several Coventry Crosses over the years.  This one replaces the 1544 cross which stood some 100 metres away in Cross Cheaping.

View of Coventry Cross

Looking towards Coventry Cathedral

These two photographs were taken on different days.  I had an afterthought and thought it would be good to show the a wider picture of the area. The Gladiator grave memorial is on the other side of the path (on the left).

For more photos featuring the sky from around the world,  follow the link to Skywatch Friday.

Friday means a little break over the weekend for me.  I have to do some filing of digital photos - amazing how they add up.  Have a good weekend all.  Cheers!

Thatched Roof Thursday # 5 - Brinklow

Brinklow is a beautiful and picturesque village near Coventry.   I chose this cottage for today because it is bright and freshly re-thatched...a nice contrast to another dull day in this part of England.

Tomorrow, no matter what, I am going to include some blue sky in my posting.  A promise!

And, most important of all - Happy Birthday, Nadine!