Monday 30 November 2015

Ghost Sign Mural

Lower Holyhead Road
On a very dull day last week.


I realise that the eye might tend to home in on the
'Booze' sign but it is the Nestle's ghost sign that I'm hoping will
qualify as a mural :).


I took a similar photo of this sign in 2012 and there is no change.
Look close and you'll see there is another 
older Nestle's advertisement underneath.

Participating in Monday Mural

Wednesday 25 November 2015

Topmost

Coombe Country Park
Great Spotted Woodpecker


I think this is a friend of another woodpecker
I photographed back in May, 2015.
This one has red on his head so I'm guessing it is a male.


Taken last Sunday.
Participating in ABC Wednesday
T is for Topmost

Monday 23 November 2015

Calcott Brothers Manufacturers

Calcott Bros. Ltd., Far Gosford Street

Established in 1885. Made bicycles in 1886 and moved here in 1896.
Built motorcycles in 1905 and in
1913 they began manufacturing motorcars until 1924
when the company was taken over by Singer.


I am hoping that the window on the left will 
qualify for Monday Mural.  Here is a closer look below.
I do like these historical windows.


This Renaissance-style exterior has always caught my eye.
It is red brick with cream terracotta.
The company offices faced the road here.  The factory complex was
to the rear.  The building is now used for student accommodation.



Below is a clever sign in the shape of a
Calcott radiator which tells the whole story.  You will
need to click on image to enlarge.


So there you have it - 
1896
Calcott Bros. Ltd.


Participating in MONDAY MURAL


Friday 20 November 2015

Under The Rainbow

Coombe Country Park
View from Brinklow Road on Tuesday


These photos were taken in the rain with my iPhone.
Happily, I got the big oak tree on right.  That is the tree
I photograph occasionally in the Tree Series.

(Below) Not quite straight - but you get the idea.
Full view towards Coombe from the road.
Do I see a double rainbow?


 Participating in Skywatch Friday



Monday 16 November 2015

A Little Coventry History

Hay Lane
Window Displays showing Coventry from 1910 to 1937
by permission of the
Coventry History Centre, The Herbert Museum & Art Gallery


Since so many buildings were destroyed in WWII, it is
wonderful that the Museum has created these permanent window displays
showing a little of Coventry's history.


The photo above is of High Street c1910.
Below is Hay Lane.  When you walk
down this Lane the window displays are
in the building on the right.  


Below is another one of the big windows reminding us 
that there were trams in Broadgate in c1937.


It you want to see the window displays of
Coventry Cathedral, have a look at my blog post yesterday.

Participating in Monday Mural


Saturday 14 November 2015

75 Years On

Coventry Cathedral Ruins
Today is the 75th Anniversary of 
the bombing of Coventry Cathedral during a
devastating WWII eleven hour bombing raid on Coventry.


The photo above shows life in the Cathedral ruins today.
People visit, children play and many take hundreds of photographs are taken.

If you would like to read more about the Coventry Blitz,
 see paragraph headed '14th November 1940' in the link HERE.

Around the corner from the Cathedral Ruins (in Hay Lane) 
are some photographs of the Cathedral in 1930.
They are on display by permission of the Coventry History Centre,
The Herbert Museum & Art Gallery.
Have a look:




What a grand place it must have been.
I love to tell people that my husband's parents 
walked down that aisle when they were married in 1936.
Now it is quite different but still a very special place.


Coventry Cathedral is open to the public.
You can even climb the Cathedral Spire.  
It survived the war.

+ + + + + +

How sad to wake up to the tragic news of  a
horrific terror attack in Paris last night.







Thursday 12 November 2015

Station Tower Demolition

Station Tower, Coventry Railway Station
Demolition in Process


Possibly one of my most favorite buildings
is being dismantled floor by floor.  
The photo above was taken today and the one
below was taken in May, 2015.


Below is another shot taken today.


There is another change too.  In the shot above there is 
another building missing.  It had a green banner on it in May (below).


Big changes are happening here in Coventry.
I'll hope to be back with an update in the future :).

I'm taking a day off tomorrow to work on a post for
for Saturday, 
the 75th Anniversary of the bombing of Coventry Cathedral.







Wednesday 11 November 2015

Remembrance Day

Grounds of Old Cathedral Ruins
Photo taken today just before 11 am.


November 14th will be the
75th Anniversary of the bombing of Coventry Cathedral.


This memorial stone commemorates the
unknown civilians killed in war. 
The original version of this stone
was carried on a 'Stonewalk' in 
America during July and August, 1999.
You can read more HERE.

Participating in ABC Wednesday
R is for Remembrance

Tuesday 10 November 2015

Change Of Use

Old Post Office, Hertford Street
Correction: Oriental Food Specialist


It was a sad day in 2008 for many when the Post Office moved 
from this building to a bookstore. I'm not joking. Built in early 20th Century,
this building remained empty until 2013 when it became a
pawnbroker shop.

As of last September, this prominent stonework facade
is the entrance to (what they say is) the biggest oriental 
supermarket in Coventry.


Fancy a chow mein tonight?

Participating in Our World Tuesday






Monday 9 November 2015

Study Inn

Trinity Street, Coventry
Wall of Maps


Coventry has two top universities -
It is not surprising that student accommodation has become
big business.  I'm not partial to the color scheme of the 
building but I do like the mural of flags.


The way things are going, Coventry
will soon be a university campus city.


This building (one of 3 located right in middle of City),
is formerly an office and is now full of VIP studio flats.
There are various weekly fees which cover utilities,
internet, appliances, housekeeping and security, etc.

Participating in Monday Mural

PS Photos were taken on 26th Oct back in the sunshine days :).

Friday 6 November 2015

Cedar Of Lebanon

Coombe Country Park


Here is an unusual sight.  Autumn leaves and what I thought
was a Monterey Pine (tree on the right).  I have since learned
that it is actually a Cedar of Lebanon tree. 

There is a story. 
First off, I think this tree might be over 200 years old.
The grounds of Coombe Country Park were designed by 
Lancelot 'Capability' Brown.  Although Brown liked native English trees
he also liked exotic trees and Cedar of Lebanon is
one of his most famous.  You can see cedars planted in 
many of his gardens across England.


Please note it isn't raining.  These photos were taken
over a week ago.  I am thinking that is the last time I saw blue sky :).

Have a super weekend.  See you next week
in Coventry City Centre for a change!

Participating in Skywatch Friday

Thursday 5 November 2015

Guy Fawkes Night

Coventry
Outside our window


It is Guy Fawkes Night here in England.
That means lots of fireworks, bonfires and celebration 
even though it is raining out.

Not more than 30 minutes ago a neighbour started letting off
fireworks.  I can tell it is going to be a noisy night.



Wednesday 4 November 2015

Breakfast

Coombe Country Park


I am determined to post at least 5 photographs this week.
So here is one of a Blue Tit bird.
Take from the bird hide at Coombe.

Now to look at your photos :)

Tuesday 3 November 2015

Open To The Public

Coombe Country Park
Three-mile circular walk designed


Over the last two weekends
the public have been allowed on
this path for the first time in 40 years.


These photos were taken last Sunday.
It was foggy.


We are expecting some high winds in the next few days.
I expect these golden leaves will soon be on the ground.

I'll be posting more about this walk in due course.

Participating in Our World Tuesday

Monday 2 November 2015

Postcards from California - Wall Mosaic

Santa Monica, California


On a recent trip to California I saw this house
and thought of 'Monday Mural'.  Made me smile.


Someone spent a lot of time
covering the entire exterior with mosaic tiles.


...and it was lovely and warm outside too.

Participating in Monday Mural




Sunday 1 November 2015

City Daily Photo Theme Day - Ephemeral

Coombe Country Park


Handful of Autumn Leaves
Ephemeral - Lasting for a short time

Participating in City Daily Photo Theme Day

* * * * * * 
Greetings all!

Vacation is over!
Hope all has been good with you.
Looking forward to getting back into
some sort of blog routine :).