'Quick! Get Your Camera'

Coombe Country Park

Egyptian Geese

About 3 years ago there was a lone Egyptian goose 

at Coombe, then there were two last year

and now there are seven.

We got a little excited.  I managed to get a few shots

of a very unusual sight last Sunday.

Participating in

ABC Wednesday (Q is for quick)

Wild Bird Wednesday

Water World Wednesday

I cannot believe it is Wednesday already.

Hope all is going well with you all.

Out For A Stroll

Coombe Country Park

Coot

This all-black water bird, with a distinctive white beak

and forehead, was not bothered at all by my

hurried moves to get a shot of it in front of those daffodils.

I must say, it really does have 'intriguing' feet.

Participating in ABC Wednesday - 'I' is for 'Intriguing'

and

Wild Bird Wednesday

The Great Nave Windows

Coventry Cathedral
Designed by Sir Basil Spence

I'm standing behind the High Alter.
The small cross of nail (set within the sculpture)
is the original Cross of Nails formed from 3 medieval nails
found in the rubble of the old Cathedral roof
after its destruction in World War II.

You will only see this view of the full stained-glass nave windows
when you reach the far end of the nave and look back.

Below is how one set of the Nave Windows looks from outside.

When you walk into the Cathedral your
attention is initially drawn to the
Graham Sutherland Tapestry.
More about that tomorrow.

For now, notice that The Great Nave Windows
are hidden from view as you
enter Coventry Cathedral.

Participating in ABC Wednesday
'H' is for Holy

G Is For Greylag Goose

Coombe Country Park

'Balance'

Participating in 

ABC Wednesday and Wild Bird Wednesday

ABC Wednesday - A Is For Across

St Mary Street and Bayley Lane

St Mary's Guildhall (to right - where I used to work), Drapers Hall (left)

and Cathedral Ruins straight ahead.

There aren't many T-Junctions in Coventry

where you have 3 historic buildings

'across' the street from each other.

The white canopy covers the entrance to

Coventry New Cathedral that adjoins the Old Cathedral Ruins.

Why did I takes these photographs?

It was the notice board below that caught my attention :).

It reads - 'Pray for Ourselves'.

Participating in ABC Wednesday

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

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

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

C Is For Curve

Taken Recently at Coombe Country Park.

Participating in ABC Wednesday

* * * * *

Hello out there.  I hope to be back on
February 1st with more gems from 'Around Coventry'.

A Is For Atop

Looking into Coventry Cathedral Ruins

It is worth the climb...180 steps.

I did it with family (much younger than me).

I'm waving on the right and young 'A' is to the left.

We were atop the tower part with the spire extending above.

We had a dusting of snow overnight.  It is gone now.

I am hoping for a bit more next week :).

PS.  If you would like to experience this view, 

go to the Information Centre and buy a ticket 

during daylight hours.

Participating in ABC Wednesday

C Is For Christchurch

I couldn't pass on this view yesterday. 

This is all that remains of Christchurch.  It has a long history 

dating back to 1200 which you can read about HERE.

There are some interesting photos included.

Mr LOL's Mum went to Sunday school here in early 1920's.  

The main church building was destroyed in an air-raid on 8th April, 1941.

The shot above was taken earlier in the year.

The spire is now a cafe bar called, Inspire Cafe Bar.

Participating in ABC Wednesday

B Is For Britain From Above

(Above) I am looking down from The Secret Garden at The Library of Birmingham

at an exhibition of old aerial photographs of Britain. 

(Below) That's Mr LOL looking at an image of Coventry 6 years

 after WWII bombing of the City Centre.

 His grandfather lived in Bayley Lane (bottom left of image below) 

close to Coventry Cathedral and survived.

For more images and information about the Britain From Above project,

 please click the link HERE.  There is an invitation to register and then 

participate in helping to identify and provide information about old aerial photographs.

Participating in ABC Wednesday

PS. Happy Birthday, Lily :)

P Is For Private...

...or even 'peering' into a 'private' tennis club today with

the most amazing back drop of Warwick Castle.  

P could also be for an annoying 'post'.  What a photo (below) 

this would be if that lamp post was positioned somewhere else.

Ten minutes from Coventry is the most wonderful town of

Warwick.  Warwick is celebrating 1100th anniversary this year.  

That's right!  In 914 the first fortified dwelling was built here.

William the Conqueror founded Warwick Castle in 1068.

Tomorrow is CDP's Theme Day - Squares.  See you tomorrow :).

Participating in ABC Wednesday

H Is For Hidden...

...well, sort of :).

I am not a bird person but Mr LOL got quite excited 

when he spotted this Chaffinch.

I tried the zoom and pretty much kept still.

Remember that rabbit I saw last month?

It made an appearance too!

Getting back to the Chaffinch,

here's another look.

All taken at Coombe Country Park yesterday.

Participating in ABC Wednesday

G Is For Glass

Baptistry Window, Coventry Cathedral

Designed by John Piper and made by Patrick Reyntiens

I am only showing one third of the window today.  I will show you more on another day.

The boulder in front of the window originates from a hillside at

Bethlehem and has been fashioned into a font.

Not far away is a quiet spot where candles can be lit 

and memories recalled.  I did that today.

Participating in ABC Wednesday

Happy Birthday, Mom.

Chipping Campden in November...

...2011 :).

I have a file on my desktop called 'Blog Standby'.

This photo has been stored there for some time.

Since the 'Snow Gods' are completely ignoring my hopes for snow,

I could be happy for a day like this instead.

Taken in the beautiful Cotswold town of

Chipping Campden.

Participating in Our World Tuesday

Wednesday, 29th Jan: Just realised that will make a nice
'C' for ABC Wednesday

B Is For Building...

....one of three Georgian town houses in Coventry.

The sign outside tells the whole story.

I love to imagine how this City must have looked

before World War II.

Priory Row is just behind Coventry Cathedral. 

Participating in ABC Wednesday

It's Wednesday.  Hard to believe.  Sunshine today but

the dreaded rain is starting just about now.

Ugh!

Z Is For Zenyatta

I must confess that I have been waiting since

last August to use these photos.

The name Zenyatta

caught my attention when we were visiting Santa Anita Park in California

last summer.  

Santa Anita Park is located not far from my home town

of Pasadena.  No racing that day.  Found a 'Z' instead :).

Participating in ABC Wednesday

Having a long weekend...!  Back on Monday :).

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 :)

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