Listen Up - Coventry's Spon Street Tomorrow

Hanging around St John the Baptist Church, Fleet Street, Coventry

This remarkable face can be found with many others on St John's Church.  The oldest portions of the Church date back to mid 1300's.  So my guess is that this gargoyle has been there for some time.

The plan is to share some photos of places in Spon Street and Lower Precinct, Coventry, in the next day or two.

Entrance to Spon Street with St. John the Baptist Chruch on the right

By Popular Demand....(from me)

Coventry Supermarket

This is following on from yesterday.  It was a day to visit the grocery store. I wanted to take a picture of my USA Trader Joe's bag and ended up with something like this.  Honestly, I was only there for a minute! PS The chicken was good.

Note:  Trader Joe's is a speciality grocery store found in USA.

Coventry Craftsmanship - Lady Herbert's Garden

Chauntry Place, Coventry

Next time you go into Coventry City Centre, take a half-hour to walk around Lady Herbert's Garden (opposite the Old Fire Station).  It is a delight.  When I noticed these beautifully crafted railings, I wasn't sure what the initials 'FH' stood for.  You will see plenty of references to Sir Alfred Herbert and Lady Herbert, of course.  Lady Herbert's first name was Florence.  How lovely for Coventry to have this extensive garden and homes created as a memorial to Lady Florence Herbert and to be so well preserved.

In truth, I didn't know what to post here today.  I had to do some jobs at home and my only outing today was to the grocery store.  A picture of my shopping trolley on double lines (as it happened) would have been fun but I chose this photo instead.  So glad I did.

Is that 'The 3.10 to Outer Space and Beyond'?

Station Tower, Coventry (next to Coventry Train Station)

What more can I say except this building has 15 floors and must be in a good location for relaying, transmitting and lots more.

Is that Tape on those Windows?

This is my attempt at an 'artistic' photograph centred around the metal sculpture figures of football players located just off Junction 6 of the Ring Road.  The building (Friars House) is modern with wonderful reflective windows.  I was a tad distracted by ongoing maintenance on the windows.

Better have a closer look....

Looks like tape.

Ah.....that looks pretty secure.  Phew!

'...and the Oscar goes to War Horse'

Created by Artist, Simon Evans

This magnificent sculpture is located on the Ring Road opposite the Warwick Road exit.  I believe it was created in 1986 by Simon Evans when he was a student at Coventry Polytechnic (now Coventry University) where he graduated with an Art Degree.

Message Received - Pick Number 3 on the Lottery :)

Ah....lambs galore (somewhere in Warwickshire, England)

A short drive outside Coventry City limits and you are in the countryside.  Wonderful!!!

Who Can Resist a KrispyKreme or Two or Three?

Located in Selfridges, Bullring Shopping Centre, Birmingham, UK.

Flying Standard Pub, Coventry

The Flying Standard, Trinity Street

I was surprised when I was walking up Coventry City Centre street called New Buildings.  Straight ahead was the corner of The Flying Standard Pub.  It is a massive building which from the side almost looks like a false fronted building you might see on a movie set.  Wouldn't want a table in that corner.

What Time Is It? Have A Look At Coventry's Unique Timepiece.

All these raised squiggly lines of cement represent the world's time zones and stretches across a large open space outside the Coventry Transport Museum to create a 24-hour clock.  It is interesting and pretty to look at, especially when these lines light up at night.  This photograph is taken from what looks like a glass bridge.

Coventry's Millennium Clock, Millennium Place

Explanation of Time Piece

In doing my research about this 'clock', I can tell you that it was designed by Francoise Schein at a cost of £5.5 million (ouch!) as part of the Phoenix Project.  The Project was completed in 2004, regenerating the nearby area. In 2011 it was proposed to remove this 'clock' in order to provide a safer surface for the public to congregate if they want to watch the 2012 Olympic on a large TV screen facing the 'clock'.  Is this really the plan....well, I wonder.

Coventry Emblem at Cook Street Gate (Glad I Looked UP)

Coventry Emblem found inside Cook Street Gate roof 

This isn't my best photograph.  I like it because you can just make out the word 'Principis' on side of this beautifully carved emblem.  I only noticed it when I was looking the photos I had taken yesterday.  Now, I will have to go back and get a clearer shot (and one of the other side which might have the word 'Camera').  Camera Principis (The Prince's Chamber)?  Well, I believe we are talking Edward, the Black Prince.....get the history books out or Google it for the whole story!

Coventry Transport Museum - Valentine's Day gift? (I wish!)

from Coventry Transport Museum - Wheels & Wave Exhibition

Coventry has an outstanding automotive museum (and it is free).  I will mention it often and encourage you to have a look at the link HERE.  Tomorrow:  A little about things to see just outside the museum.....Happy Valentine's Day!

Trains, Planes and Automobiles......Well?

This the third in a series of photographs taken at Midland Air Museum and Electric Railway Museum in Baginton (near Coventry).  The 'title' would suggest that there is an automobile museum along side the other two museums.  Alas, there isn't. But (and this is a big but) Coventry is the home of the Coventry Transport Museum which is an outstanding place to visit and located in the City Centre.  Follow the link HERE.

When I woke up this morning, I was trying to figure out what to put as my photo for the day keeping the 'automotive' theme in mind.  I pulled back the curtains and bingo:

Neighbour's car, somewhere in Coventry.

This made me smile and lots others too!

Baginton, UK - Yesterday it was 'Trains' - Today Avro Vulcan 'Plane'

City of Coventry Avro Vulcan

This spectacular plane (above) is on view as you drive past the Midland Air Museum in Baginton.  My photo is taken from the road.   The Museum is located near Coventry Airport and there are plenty of planes to view.  

Yesterday, I visited the Midland Air Museum not realising that all the trains next door to the Museum were part of another museum (the Electric Railway Museum - see post for 8th February, 2012).  The Film, 'Train, Planes & Automobiles' came to my husband's mind as we stood outside both of these museum.

For more information about the Midland Air Museum have a look HERE.  This particular Vulcan plane has a story which you can read about HERE. 

Tomorrow we move from 'Train, Planes' to 'Automobiles'.  

Baginton's TRAINS, PLANES & AUTOMOBILES (No not the film. A venue where you can see all 3.)

Well, you can almost see all three.  All to be revealed over 3 days.  So let's start with 'Trains' -

Electric Railway Museum, Baginton

There must be at least 4 or 5 rows of what seems hundred of electric engines and carriages.  For more information have a look HERE.

Tomorrow we move on to 'Planes'.

At the Royal Priors, Leamington Spa - LET THE SUN SHINE IN

Royal Priors Shopping Centre, Leamington Spa (10 miles south of Coventry)

When you go shopping at the Royal Priors (an indoor mall) you cannot help but notice the high arched glazed roof.  A visit here last week on a cold an crisp day inspired me to take a few photographs and enjoy being nice and warm.  If you want more information about the shops and location, click on the link HERE.

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 The one below was taken for my husband.  He likes the shadow design.  I am wondering what that is on the wall. A window?

Copsewood Grange Golf Club - Snow, Yes. Golf, No.

Not much going on here today......but look at photos below!

These 2 photos are of a small hill immediately to the left (of the picture above) and across the river Sowe. It was great to see families out with the sleds enjoying Coventry's first snow this year.

No Priority - Proceed With Caution (Coventry City Centre)

I had heard about this new 'traffic signal free' intersection in Coventry and here it is.  It seems that buses, cars, a large number of university students and others (like me) can share the intersection space all at the same time.

Gosford Street and Cox Street Signal-free intersection

This doesn't look too bad at the moment.  The plan is to introduce a 20 mph speed limit throughout the City Centre.  The 'shared spaces' for anything moving are expected to be safe for all concerned.  Fingers crossed!