Monday 31 August 2015

Postcards from California

Huntington Beach
Tile mural at Pier Plaza (close to the pier)
designed by the late Terry Schoonhoven.


You can't miss this enormous tiled mural. Here is a small section of it above.
What makes me laugh is that when I saw this mural on a recent holiday, I thought -
I can use this in Monday Mural.
So here it is :).


The theme of the mural is the history of Huntington Beach.
Below is the Pier and the Pacific Ocean with Catalina Island beyond.


Participating in Monday Mural

Friday 28 August 2015

Almost A Year

Coventry Central Police Station

That's how long this lamp door has
been open...presumably broken :).


I first took a picture of this lamp in May, 2012. 
For some reason it has been the most visited blog post of mine.
Well, since October, 2014, the flap/door has been open.
So, yesterday I decided to photograph it again. 
(Please note 'blue sky' to go with 'blue lamp'.)


 In the photos above (looking down Little Park Street)
you can just see the tops of
Holy Trinity and Coventry Cathedral Spires.

Want to see inside the lamp?


I don't know, maybe the doors to the Police cells
are kept open too :).

Have a super weekend.  I've got an idea
for September 1st CDP Theme Day - Curiosities.
Hope you have too!

Participating in Skywatch Friday

Wednesday 26 August 2015

ABC Wednesday - G Is For Grampie

Postcards from America
Valley of Fire, Nevada


It's my husband's birthday today.
So why not share some photographs from
a recent trip to Nevada and one of his favorite places to visit -


Located about 45 minutes from Las Vegas.

Participating in ABC Wednesday

Update (27th August):  Just have to share the
cake made by our granddaughter, Lottie.  A winner!


The birthday card is from my sister and her husband received a few years ago.
We bring it out every year.  Press a button and
it sounds just like 'Vegas' :).


Tuesday 25 August 2015

A Quiet Moment

Coombe Country Park


It was pretty quiet here on Sunday, possibly because it was a bit dull out.
Usually that walkway has quite a few people crossing it.


These were taken just
before we went to have a look at
the Truck Fest event I shared yesterday.

Apologies for showing so many photographs
from Coombe Country Park.  We try and go there
at least once a week for a long walk, always with my camera.

Participating in Our World Tuesday

Monday 24 August 2015

Truck Artwork

Coombe Country Park
Truck Fest


 Clint Eastwood
This is a photo was taken yesterday of the hood/bonnet 
of a huge truck on display
at the Truck Fest event at Coombe Country Park.


This truck, in particular, caught my eye.
I can say that it is Canadian and owned by
Graham Poole Transport, Rochdale.


I have never seen this sort of artwork before.


I wanted to have a go at posting to Monday Mural -
so I'm hoping these will qualify :).



(Below) Mr Poole polishing this impressive vehicle.
It was lucky that the bonnet was open so we all could 
see Clint Eastwood at his best.



Participating in Monday Mural

Friday 21 August 2015

The Cranes Have Landed

Far Gosford Street

This street was the main route out of
medieval Coventry towards Leicester and London.


Looks like they are planning to build something tall.
I'll see what I can find out
and will report back next week,
hopefully with some shots under blue skies.
Would love to find some nice historic buildings too.

Have a good weekend, AND
thanks for your comments - most appreciated.

Participating in Skywatch Friday

Thursday 20 August 2015

Thatched Roof Thursday #86 - Stratford Upon Avon

Old Thatch Tavern
(on a very rainy, dark day)


These photos were taken last month.
It was a horrible day but when I saw this 
pub I had to take some photos.


If you have ever visited Stratford, this
public house is located close to 
Shakespeare's birthplace.


It is a Grade II Listed building dating back to 1470.
Not only is it the oldest pub in Stratford town - it is also
the only thatched building left in town.

Hopefully you can make out a little of the thatched roof
on the last photo above.


Wednesday 19 August 2015

F is for Focus

Coombe Country Park


This was taken in May last year looking through the
railings of a little bridge near Coombe Pool.
I am rather hoping the spider's web is in focus :).

Participating in
ABC Wednesday 
and
Water World Wednesday


Tuesday 18 August 2015

Monty's Garter Banner

St Mary's Collegiate Church, Warwick


Garter Banner of Field Marshal 
Bernard Montgomery

This banner hangs outside the
Chapel of The Royal Warwickshire Regiment

For more about this famous WWII Commander,
please follow the link HERE. 

Participating in Our World Tuesday

Monday 17 August 2015

BBQ Gone Wrong

Coombe Country Park
Revisiting my favorite oak tree.


Dotted all around Coombe Country Park are wonderful
picnic tables, all of which are there as a memorial to family and friends.

On Sunday we decided to go over and see how
my favorite tree (above) is looking.  We were distracted.
How disappointing it was to see that someone
decided to put one of those disposable BBQs on the
table and burn a hole in it.


I hope this table can be repaired soon.
It is such a lovely spot in the park to be enjoyed by all.






Friday 14 August 2015

The Swan On Patrol

Coombe Country Park



He looks innocent enough but in the photo below -
the name of the game was keeping those geese out of the lake.


We watched for a fair amount of time as he patrolled up and down.
 It was clear (for at least a while) who was in charge.

At some point, I got the photos below
using my new zoom lens.




Well, that's me done for the week.
Hope you have a great weekend.

Cheers!

Thursday 13 August 2015

Thatched Roof Thursday #85 - Pailton

Midsummer's Cottage


Pailton is a lovely little
village not far from Coventry.  I have driven by this cottage
many times but only recently noticed that bright red door and
how pretty the cottage was looking.  


The oldest part of the cottage dates back to 17th Century.
 Yes, it is Grade II Listed.  
The details are HERE.


Wednesday 12 August 2015

Coventry Pubs #5 - The Earl Of Mercia

18 High Street


Located across the street from Coventry's Council House,
this building opened in 1896 as Lloyds Bank.

Since the early 1990s it has been a public house 
with a number of names, the most recent The Earl of Mercia.


The name is after Leofric who was The Earl of Mercia
and the husband of Lady Godiva.


This is a Wetherspoon's public house which
translates into reasonably priced food and drink,
conveniently located in the City Centre.

Participating in ABC Wednesday
E is for 'Earl' in The Earl of Mercia


Tuesday 11 August 2015

Who Are You?

 Coventry Cathedral Ruins


Located at East Entrance

Why does taking a simple photograph end up being a project for me?
I spotted this head with a broken nose and tried to find out 'who' it was.  No luck.
Then, I wanted to refer to it as a 'Gargoyle' 
only to read that gargoyles includes a 'water spout'.
Through the magic of the internet I found a site HERE that explains
that if carved stone like this doesn't act as a water spout,
it is a 'Grotesque'.*
But, of course, you knew that - I didn't :). 

All around Coventry Cathedral there a number of gargoyles
and grotesques.  I will have fun photographing more.

*Addition to post 12th August, 2015:
The History Anorak informs me
that this figure is a 'corbel'.  

Friday 7 August 2015

Blue Stained Glass

Coventry Cathedral Ruins

Look closely - Can you see the blue glass in the first photograph?


I hadn't noticed it before.  The photos below are
taken progressively as I step back into the middle 
of the cathedral ruins.



Coventry Cathedral and the ruins of the old cathedral
are open daily.  


It has been a busy week.  Biggest challenge was
sorting out Windows 10 on my laptop.  
All sorted now, I hope :).

Have a good weekend and see you next week!

Participating in Skywatch Friday

Saturday 1 August 2015

City Daily Photo Theme Day - Bicycle

Coventry Transport Museum


1879 Lawson Bicyclette made in Sussex (front)
and
1885 Rudge Penny Farthing made in Rudge Factory, Crow Lane, Coventry (back)


Coventry is the birthplace of the British Cycle and Motor industry.
In 1888 Rover Safety Bicycle (below)
was made by John Kemp Starley's Rover Company in Coventry.
This bicycle is considered to be the first modern bicycle
and is one of the most important inventions of the past 200 years.



As you can see, Coventry Transport Museum 
has a comprehensive collection of bicycles.



The museum is free and you can spend as much time as 
you like looking at the bicycles as well as
everything you ever wanted to know about 
Coventry's rich motor industry.


I couldn't leave out these bright
red wheels on the velocipede (below)
known in Britain as the
'Boneshaker' because it was so uncomfortable to ride.


I've visited the museum many times and used one of their 
displays in CDP's 'Revolution' Theme Day back in May.

For more bicycle photographs from members of 
City Daily Photo, please follow the link - HERE.