Year End

One last look at my favorite tree at the close of 2013.  

Wishing YOU a Happy New Year!

Participating in Our World Tuesday

500th

I've seen others reach the accolade of 500 blog postings.

I never thought I would be one of them :).  To mark the occasion I thought 

I would have another go at capturing the white feathers on some swans.

Think I got it.  I tried a macro lens setting.  Both shots were taken at dusk using a flash.

By the way, we have had a lot of rain and wind.  Sadly a beautiful

conifer tree fell victim to the strong winds.

That's Coombe Abbey Hotel with a new water feature. 

Back tomorrow to close the year out with our most favorite tree :).

W Is For Wishing

Wishing You a Merry Christmas and Happy 2014.

No, we haven't had snow (yet).  I used this photograph in January and I thought

it would be fun to use it again for my 499th post since starting this blog. 

So here's WISHING you a Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

I will be taking a short break until after Christmas.

Look forward to seeing you after the holidays.

Stay safe and have fun!

Participating in ABC Wednesday

Happy Anniversary, John :)

Last Of Autumn

This was Coombe Country Park a week ago.  I love this view

but it took me a little while to catch those swans in this nice pose.

Most of the time they were less than cooperative (below).

I'll be back tomorrow with a Christmas photo 

then it is time to take a break...Christmas is coming FAST!

Participating in Our World Tuesday

Thatched Roof Thursday #54 - Wolvey

Bachelor's Rest, Coventry Road

This is a sweet Grade II Listed cottage dating back to mid/late 18th Century.

The name, Bachelor's Rest, is a puzzle to me.  Maybe someone will

know the reason for the name and leave a comment.

Wolvey is located about 9 miles to the north east of Coventry.

It is a place loaded with history.  If you are interested, follow the

link for a summary - HERE.

PS.  Think I'll have a long weekend.  You all have a good one.

V Is For Vacant...

...World War II Pillbox nestled near the beach in Skegness, Lincolnshire (taken in June, 2013).

To be fair, I would be stepping out of my comfort zone

if I were to put in words my knowledge of British defences 

during WW2.  What I can say is that, as a tourist, I get

quite excited when I see one of these scattered along the coastline. 

They are no longer required and well and truly 'vacant'.  

You can see the pillbox almost blends in with the landscape. 

The view it has towards the North Sea is below.

If you would like to read more about 'Pillboxes', please follow the link

HERE.

Participating in ABC Wednesday

Top Pool...

...at Coombe Country Park. 

The bank of reeds that you see in the photo above was home to a family of swans earlier this year.

Remember them?  

In the shot below, you will see tree on left has blown over in recent strong winds.

  I am told the tree will be removed at some point.

If you would like to know more about Coombe Country Park,

please follow the link - HERE.

Participating in Our World Tuesday

Unexpected

This is becoming one of those places I love photographing.  

(Click on the image to enlarge.)

I love this view looking over a farm in Walsgrave, Coventry.

So why the title, 'Unexpected'?

Five swans happily munching away in the field.  It is unexpected to me but

it may not be unusual.  I haven't purchased that zoom lens yet, 

but Mr LOL had his binoculars with him so I can confirm those are swans.

Bet someone will know about grazing swans and leave a comment, hopefully :).

Have a good week.

Stained Glass

Every now and then, I notice small pieces

of stained glass in the Old Coventry Cathedral Ruins.

This is my latest find.  

The top shot was taken a few weeks ago.

The one below was taken last week with much different looking skies.

Cappers' Chapel

Coventry Cathedral Ruins

Participating in Skywatch Friday 

Thatched Roof Thursday #53 - Newbold-on-Avon

Moment of panic - No photos of thatched cottages!

That was yesterday!!!

Well, we went to see a great film,

Saving Mr Banks at a cinema in Rugby.

On the way, passing through the village of Newbold-on-Avon,

what appears on my right...semi-detached cottages dating back to the 17th Century.

Below is a closer view of a home which is for sale.

The charm of both of these homes, I expect, is what I can't see.

The River Avon run along side the garden to the rear.

Here is the link for the estate agent...you can see more for a short time

HERE.

U Is For Undercover

Taken from inside the Bird Hide at Coombe Country Park.

It is a great retreat from the rain and wind as well as a perfect

observation spot to enjoy local nature.

For you real photographers out there...I did my best to get

something of the scenery.  Shooting in a dark room with bright

light outside is not part of my skill set just yet (as demonstrated more so below).

 I love visiting here :).

Participating in ABC Wednesday

Here We Are Again

It has almost been a month since I posted a

photo of  this oak tree at Coombe Country Park.  The leaves are changing

color finally and I expect they will all drop off soon.

For more of the changing look of this view

from Coombe Country Park looking towards Coventry

click on 'Tree Series' label below.

Participating in Our World Tuesday

Happy Birthday, Peter!

The National Flag

St Edith's Church tower

dominates the skyline here in Monks Kirby.

Seeing the Union Jack (and blue sky)

meant I just had to stop and take a picture.  

I still enjoy being a tourist :).

City Daily Photo Theme Day - Looking Out

From inside the Coventry Cathedral looking out of

The Great West Window
to the Cathedral ruins beyond.

The Screen of Saints and Angels window was created by John Hutton.

(The link is excellent if you are interested in reading more.)

The photo on the left (below) is taken from inside the new Cathedral 

and the one on the right is taken from inside the Cathedral ruins toward the new Cathedral.

The shot below is my favorite.  Every time I 

turned around there were groups of children having

a school day out to see and learn about Coventry's history.

The only thing missing here for me is a bit of sunshine.

I'm sure you will find plenty of that if you 

have a look at other participants in

City Daily Photo Theme Day - Looking Out.

Thatched Roof Thursday #52 - Kenilworth

Happy Thanksgiving 

to my American family and friends!

This is a continuation from last week's 

Thatched Roof Thursday #51.  

This home is also located on the lovely square of homes

known as Little Virginia, Kenilworth.  Kenilworth Castle is just down the road.

This was also thatched roof cottage #45, 

the Robsart Cottage.  You remember, it is the cottage

that has some mystery and intrigue as part of its history.

(A very nice lady allowed me to take these pictures.)

Off to sort out our dinner - a slice (or maybe 2) of turkey 

seems like a good starting point :).

Have a great day!

The Plan:  To be back on Sunday for
CDP Theme Day - Looking Out

T Is For Touchwood...

...in Solihull.  

If you fancy a little shopping, coffee, a meal, going to the cinema,

Touchwood shopping centre might be perfect for you, especially on a rainy day.

Looks like a mall in American to me.  

(I am ignoring Santa's Grotto, for the minute. 

Not quite ready for Christmas just yet...first comes Thanksgiving, tomorrow.)

Did I mention that one of the shops sells American candy?

Look on those bottom shelves - Hooray!

Participating in ABC Wednesday

Thank you, iPhone :).

Helpful Signs

22 Bayley Lane

Last week I took the shot (below) standing in the doorway of

the medieval building above.

Why the title, 'Helpful Signs'?

Throughout Coventry there are many information

signs detailing the history of points of interest.

I rejoice when I see one of these signs.

They 'help' me to figure out what it is I am photographing

and to inform the nice tourists visiting Coventry.

Better go back and take a picture of 

23 Bayley Lane :).

Participating in Our World Tuesday

Flying Lessons

This was the view from the bird hide at Coombe Country Park yesterday.

I think that might be a cormorant flying by and the white dots in the

lake are swans.  Minutes later....

This is as close as I can zoom in on this photo.  

Those are two swans flying by.  One is a cygnet.

I suspect the cygnet was having a 'flying lesson' :).

Have a good week!

I Was At College In Pasadena....

....on this day 50 years ago.  

Today I was outside Coventry Cathedral looking up.

The wooden frame at the top of this shot is

The Cottage, 22 Bayley Lane, built about 1500.

I will show you this wonderful timber framed building next week.

50th Anniversary of the assassination of 

President John F Kennedy.

Participating in Skywatch Friday

Thatched Roof Thursday #51 - Little Virginia

That's right,

Little Virginia in Kenilworth, England.

The thatched cottages date back to early 17th Century. 

Is it possible

that this is the spot where the first potatoes were grown in England 

and that they were imported by Walter Raleigh?

And, that early colonist in Virginia (America) returned to England and made their homes in

Kenilworth, calling this area 'Little Virginia'?

I don't know what is legend or truth, but I do know that 

some residents of this area firmly believe that the lawn area here

is where the first potatoes in England were grown. 

If you would like to read a nice piece on the subject,

follow the link HERE.

PS. Happy Birthday, Richard!

S Is For Self-Sacrifice

Have a look at the plinth supporting 

the bronze sculpture of Lady Godiva by 

William Reid Dick - 'Self-Sacrifice'. 

That will do nicely for today's ABC Wednesday.

Photos were taken after a morning of rain, hail and wind.

Loving that blue sky :).

Leaves...

...Autumn leaves, that is,

and a wild rabbit.

I'll start with the rabbit.  We have seen it

twice now.  Just the one.  It lives by the bird hide.  

My new project - to see if I can spot it again.

The leaves?  I have been looking for red autumn leaves

and could only find a few.  

I can recommend the film 'Gravity'

especially in 3D on an IMAX screen.

Participating in Our World Tuesday