12th Century Holy Trinity Church....

Side door, Holy Trinity Church

...no wonder those steps are so worn.

This setting begs for a caption.  My husband votes for: 'If you wake in the night, it's at the top of the stairs to the left.'

Tomorrow I'll show you inside.

Pretty As A Picture

Warwickshire Countryside

This is taken not far from Brinklow near Coventry.  Just think, a 10 minute drive and views like this are everywhere.

'The Blue Lamp' Post

Little Park Street Police Station

Here we have a traditional 'blue lamp' found outside most English police stations.  I am actually standing next to a very busy street close to the City centre.  You would never know it looking at this photo.  Between 1857 and 1969 Coventry had their own force.  They amalgamated with the Warwickshire Constabulary in 1969 and in 1974 Coventry changed again to the West Midlands Police.

May I Take Your Picture, Please

Jolly Jack Tar & companion

Happy Memorial Day, USA.  In the spirit of remembrance, I am going to chose this photo of a couple who were off to lunch after attending a service to mark the 30th anniversary of the sinking of HMS Coventry during the Falklands War.

For more on 'Jolly Jack Tar' meaning click this LINK.

A Perfect View

Coventry Cathedral

It was Princess Royal they were hoping to see and photograph.  I don't think they were disappointed.  This is the last in my series of photographs of the Cathedral's Celebration of  50 years.  Wonderful day in so many respects.

More of Coventry Cathedral's Golden Jubilee Celebration

View from Old Cathedral 

You will see Princess Anne in a cream suit and hat at what was the 

start of a procession down to the altar at the other end of the new Cathedral.  

I am standing in the Old Cathedral.

I wonder what she is thinking? 

A peek inside as the service begins, yesterday.

That Would Be Princess Royal and....

the Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands arriving at Coventry Cathedral to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Consecration of the New Cathedral.

Coventry Cathedral, Priory Street

And, Princess Anne wore brown shoes!  More tomorrow, folks.  

Nearly Done...City Centre Park

Half of Coventry's City Centre Park

Ok, it isn't the biggest park in the City!  There will be another section about the same size, I believe, opposite.  This area used to be bus stops.  The road is gone.   If that turf stays in that condition and that green, it will be a nice addition to the City Centre.

Waterwindow To Priory Garden

Priory Place, Coventry

Artist Susanna Heron created this waterfall between Priory Garden and Priory Place as part of the Coventry's Phoenix Initiative - a Millennium Urban Regeneration scheme.   She calls her work 'Waterwindow' and describes it as a spatial work of sound and light responding to the dividing wall between Priory Garden and Priory Place.   Want to see the whole waterfall?  I'll show you another time.

Ah.....What Have We Here?

Binley Shopping Centre, Brandon Road

First of many buildings to house Marks & Spencers, Asda Home ('Walmart' in USA parlance) and a Boots too (so the local gossip reports).  Construction is well under way.  Photograph below was taken 7th April.

PS  I am including a few extra snaps of the whole site for someone far, far away in Oz.

Looking towards TGI Fridays

Towards Morrisons

On the Way To The Post Office....

Not far from the Binley Road, Coventry

I could not resist photographing this sweet English cottage garden, starring a beautiful Ceanothus, I believe.  Could that beautiful purple tree be a California Lilac?  Well, my little walk to our local post office had an element of pure joy when I saw this sight in plain view from the pavement.  You never know where the next photo is going to come from.

Old Blue Coat School, Priory Row

View from Priory Row towards Blue Coat School

Where do I begin.  This is a mixture of old (Blue Coat School building enlarged in 1850's, founded in 1714) and very old (some of Benedictine Monastery ruins) founded by Lady Godiva and her husband, Leofric, in 1043.  It is a huge area with a history. More detailed photographs are just waiting to be taken, sooner than later.  Note:  On the left of the photo you can see 2 protruding pillar bases belonging to the monastery.

Setting the Scene For Tomorrow

This sign is perched on a ledge at the side of 15th Century Lychgate Cottages telling us a little about the Benedictine Monastery and what was happening at this location around 1043.  (Yes, 1043.)  Tomorrow I will turn to my right and show you a building that is relatively new.

Turn 45 Degrees To The Right.....

...and you will see Coventry in the distance.

Coventry from far, far away

This photograph is of the view just to the left of yesterday's picture.  The quality of the photograph has been compromised by zooming in to capture this shot of Coventry over 9 miles away (as the crow flies).  You can see two of the three spires.  The third one must be behind one of those tall buildings or lost in definition.

Fancy A Walk?

Just remember to follow the footpath :)

Cord Lane (Between Easenhall and Pailton)  

Here we are about 20 minutes from Coventry on a sunny day (unlike today).  This photo was taken last Saturday.  Tomorrow I will show you a view of Coventry from the same spot.  

Screen Of Saints And Angels

Great West Window, Coventry Cathedral

I am not completely sure about these two photographs.  But there is something about the clouds, reflections and blue sky that appeals to me.  John Hutton, artist, took 10 years to create the glass engravings on the Great West Window.

Celebrating Coventry City's Big FA Cup Win

Herbert Art Gallery & Museum Coventry City FC Exhibit

Here we have a sample of the great memorabilia from Coventry City Football Club's Football Association Cup win 25 years ago.  The trophy is a replica but that is the football they won with and you can see some of the team in the background.   It is a great exhibit celebrating a great day in the City's history.

Hello Over There

Train-spotter

Railway Bridge, Cathiron near Coventry

I will have to include a couple of photographs of this particular bridge which is popular for those who like train-spotting.   The bridge sides are nearly 6' high but from either end of the bridge you can get great views of trains on the Nuneaton (Trent Valley) West Coast Mainline.  The Virgin train is moving at about 60 mph. 

Impressed my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS35 got the shot.

Canal 'Traffic Jam' Nearly

Oxford Canal, Cathiron near Coventry

All navigated safely around that moored narrowboat.  Phew!

Natives Enjoying Oxford Canal

Welcome to Cathiron, Warwickshire (9 miles from Coventry).  Today was a perfect day to drive to the Oxford Canal in Cathiron. For the next few days I will share photographs all taken within a mile of each other.

Oxford Canal, Cathiron (near Coventry)

Tomorrow - 'Canal Jam'

Have I Caught Your Eye?

This is a very large sign in Tesco's Cafe (Walsgrave, Coventry) which I have jazzed it up a little with some 'tech'.  The message is clear...'Thank You' for having a look at my photos and leaving your comments.  More to follow so watch this space.

Old Fire Station & The Future Monument

Hales Street, Coventry

After some persuading to get cars to move, I managed this photo of the Old Fire Station and the Future Monument.  The fire station was built in 1902 and closed in l976.  Just outside we have the Future Monument created by German Aritist, Jochen Gerz, which truly does look like something from the future.  The fire station has since re-opened as a restaurant and the monument was created in 2007 as part of Millennium Place.

Day Out to Chipping Campden

Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds

It only takes 35 minutes to drive to Chipping Campden where you will find scenes like this.  Here we have tributes around the War Memorial with the Market Hall in the background.  The Market Hall dates back to 1627.  It was a rainy day for the most part today.  No worries!  That warm Cotswold stone and a visit with our Cousins brightened up our day.

F-Type Jag On A Test Run, Or...

London Road, Coventry

...should we call this 'Through the Looking Glass'.  Sorry, about the quality of this photo.  I had one of those moments when this car pulled up beside us and I just had time to get this photo through the windscreen which looked more like a mirror at this stage.

City Centre Park Update

 

Trinity Street, Coventry

'Not quite ready to lay the turf' seems to be the current situation here.  I took a photo on 12th April and it actually looked nearly done then.  This area is just yards away from the new Broadgate square.  My guess is that 'the park to be' has become a storage area for paving slabs, etc.  I am intrigued to see what is going to happen next.

Found The Perfect Cake Stand....

...for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee 2012 celebrations or simply to display a yummy cake at any time of the year.  Wonder what type of cake to bake....must give that some thought!

CityDailyPhoto Theme Day - Bakeries

So here we have my contribution to City Daily Photo Theme Day - Bakeries.  We have some pretty big celebrations coming up soon here in the UK.  These goodies from a Coventry department store will suit perfectly.

Note to CDP people:  Oh dear....just discovered my Theme Day photo has ended up on the June page over at CDP.  Subject for next month is 'Tranquillity'.  Not sure that this photo will meet that criteria.  Live and learn!  Will try again next month and have deleted the link on this page.

Photo Opportunity in Broadgate, Coventry

Here is a closer look at the Lady Godiva Statute and the Godiva Clock.  

Broadgate, Coventry

Lady Godiva may be a tad early making her hourly appearance but Peeping Tom still manages to sneak a  quick look.  There used to be a road passing in front of that clock which meant that this camera view was often obstructed by passing buses.  

Lady Godiva & Peeping Tom

No more road, no more buses and plenty of opportunity to take a picture of this 1950's Godiva clock.

Broadgate....Open For Business

Here is a chance to document changes in Coventry.  Broadgate is to be a pedestrianised Square. Once the finishing touches are taken care of, a little sunshine will do wonders for this open space right in the middle of Coventry City Centre.

Broadgate, Coventry

Broadgate (October, 2011)

Above is a picture taken in October, 2011, of the same space facing Lady Godiva.   Tomorrow I will have a closer look at the Coventry clock.

Still Raining? No Worries Here.

Lower Precinct, Coventry

For those of you who haven't been to Coventry for a while, you will notice a change here to the 1950's glass cafe.  It was closed for 2 years and, hooray, now open and looking pretty smart. PS I am totally chuffed to see that (purely by accident) I have Coventry Cathedral in the background.  Off to show you an update of Broadgate tomorrow.  It is nearly finished.

As The Sign Says, 'Welcome To Coventry'

Coventry Train Station

This isn't the first time I have photographed Coventry Station.  The parking lot provided me with this bird's eye view which I just could not ignore.  All Aboard?

Down By The Riverside

River  Sowe, Coventry 

The River Sowe, that is. Unlike the swans I photographed a few days ago, I had no chance getting close to these three. Yesterday, the river was more like a lake on the golf course beyond.  Today the river is looking calmer but not calm enough for those three.