P Is For Plane

Amongst those planes is a Gloster Meteor.

Coventry Airport 

Yes, Coventry does have an airport.  No major passenger flights come and go from this airport, but today there was a special departure heading for a museum in Cornwall.  In the photo below is a small jet going to the left (just before lifting off).

It is a Royal Air Force Gloster Meteor T7.  It is described as being the world's oldest twin-engine jet that is still airworthy.  Built in 1949, it has been spending the last 20 years being restored.  

Gloster Meteor  T7 just before take off

Since this might work for a 'P' for ABC Wednesday, I am slipping this in a day early.  For more 'P' photographs, please follow the link to - ABC Wednesday.

Perfect Day For A Wedding

Coombe Country Park with a few clouds, and behind me....

...a wedding at Coombe Abbey Hotel, with a nesting swan nearby.  The wedding photos will be amazing.

I am afraid I got excited and neglected to get the camera straight.  But you get the idea :). All taken today.

Participating in Skywatch Friday and Ein Stück Himmel.

That is it for me this week.  I'll be back on Tuesday.  (Playing golf on Monday.)  I must say I am loving the fluffy clouds appearing between hail showers.  Weather :).

Thatched Roof Thursday #28 - Monks Kirby

The Old Post Office

I took these photos last week.  The down side was that it was raining but on the upside there were no cars parked in front of this 17th Century Thatched Cottage.  The brick work is interesting and I do like the pheasant/peacock on top.  Not sure which it is.

This home really was once the village post office.  No longer.  In the photo below you can see a yellow building which is the local pub, Denbigh Arms.

O Is For Oak

Tree Series - Coombe Country Park

It is almost May and this tree still looks like a silhouette against the morning skies.  When we got up this morning the sun was out.  The plan - to get a shot with the sun shining on the tree.  Sunrise is behind me.  The reality - it clouded over by the time we got there 30 minutes later.  I will not be defeated.  Will try this tactic again next month when I check back to see how this tree looks then.  Here is the view in January.  

Hope your week is going well.  Have a look at more 'O' photos - ABC Wednesday.

CDP National Theme Day - St. George's Day

Ruins of Caludon Castle at Caludon Park, Coventry.

What does Caludon Castle and St. George's Day have to do with each other?  Look at the emblem!  Legend has it that England’s Patron Saint, Saint George, was born at Caludon Castle and possibly died there too.  True?  I could find no hard facts to support this thought. Nevertheless, it is fun to imagine that it could be true.  

This site has been occupied since the 11th Century.  Before 1066 the land was owned by Lady Godiva.  The history is full of intrigue and drama.  For example, Caludon Castle was once owned by Thomas Mowbray.  Mowbray (1st Duke of Norfolk) appears in the first act of Shakespeare's Richard II based on the real life duel that didn't happen between himself and future King Henry IV.

It looks impressive across this small moat.  For a closer look (below) it took 2 grown adults (messing around with the camera timer and no tripod) to give you a reference as to the size of the remaining wall.

I can tell you I got chills walking through those doors/archways.  That is a fireplace in the middle.  If you want a little more history...follow the link here.  Caludon is now a park owned by Coventry City Council.  I am impressed.  There is a play area along side the Castle, with tennis courts and large open spaces.  

Caludon Park (with Caludon Castle just behind the central trees)

England's Flag

Legend, myth, true or false...let me wish you a 
Happy St. George's Day today on Shakespeare's birthday.

Participating in City Daily Photo's National Theme Day, please follow the link for more - CDP National Theme Day.

The Old Forge - Stretton Under Fosse

This home, said to have been built in 1328 when Edward III had only just been crowned King of England, is the perfect backdrop for a hint of Spring colors. 'The Old Forge' was a working farmhouse before becoming a blacksmiths forge. It is a residential property now. Oh, would I love to see the inside.  In the meantime, standing outside and enjoying this beautiful home will do for now.

Have a good week.  Cheers!

Rain Clouds...

...moving away.  Hooray!

This photo was taken yesterday as Mr. LOL and I were driving around looking for thatched cottages.  Withybrook is a very small village with beautiful farmland surrounding it, not far from Coventry.

Have a safe weekend.  It has been a desperately sad week for many in America.

Participating in Skywatch Friday and Ein Stück Himmel.

Thatched Roof Thursday #27 - Stretton-Under-Fosse

'The Thatched Cottage' is a late 17th century timber framed Grade II listed cottage.  I can say that the corner of this house is very close to the bend in the road.  There is plenty of moss on this roof too.  

This photo will give you an idea of the size of road that passes by.  Speed limit here is 30 mph.   I took us 10 minutes to get to Stretton from our house in Coventry.

First shots were taken in the rain and just as I was going back to our car, the sun came out.  So here is a closer look.  I would imagine the porch is a recent addition.

Take care all.

N Is For Number oNe

Number One, Eaton House, Eaton Road, Coventry

This distinctive building with blue windows near Coventry Train Station stands virtually empty. It was built in 1970 and has 13 floors.  At present, there is only one business in the building.  Madness. (Nearby skyscraper, Station Tower,  is vacant. You can see the full length shot of Eaton House in the Station Tower photo.)

Ring Road, Coventry looking towards Number One, Eaton House (to right).

On a brighter note, the daffodils are just coming out now.  Hooray!  Have a safe day.

Participating in ABC Wednesday.

PS.  For more on the  horse artwork, follow the link HERE.

USA Retain The Ryder Cup....

...yet again.  The competition ended in a tie.  USA retain the cup.

Today it is all about golf.  Whilst the professionals are hotly contesting The Masters competition in Atlanta, Georgia, our golf society has been playing our own annual Ryder Cup competition in Warwickshire.  The nice people above are members of Ansty Golf Club.  They have formed their own league played during the winter culminating in a two-day event.  This is now our 13th year.

(Thanks, Mr LOL, for taking the photo!  Poorly back kept him out of the team this year.)

Back later in the week.  I have got some serious catching up to do at home.  Cheers for now :).

Sending You A Message

Mr LOL and I found a little bench not far from here in Wildflower Meadow at Coombe Country Park. No flowers here just yet but I did notice quite a display of cloud cover this afternoon.  I like it here and I like the addition of those telegraph poles too.

The message I am sending could be via those old telegraph poles:  'Have a good weekend all.  See you next week.'

Taking part in Skywatch Friday and Ein Stück Himmel.

PS. Here's the bench, or perhaps it is more like a perch. 

Thatched Roof Thursday #26 - Street Ashton

So here we are in Street Ashton, a hamlet in the Rugby district of Warwickshire. I have been back and forth past this house hundreds of times and never knew I was in a 'hamlet'.  Love it!


If you are travelling on the road between Stretton-under-Fosse and Monks Kirby (speed limit 50mph), you will miss this cottage.  The road is fast with a single lane in each direction.

I can't give you any more details about this cottage, other than it is a Grade II listed building.  The internet failed me.  But, I can tell you it is for sale.  Asking price - £385,000.  (For this shot, I had to stand on a verge across the street.  I was glad to get back into the car.)

M Is For Monterey Cypress....

...to the left and 'my' tree to the right.

Yes, this is another photo taken at Coombe Country Park yesterday.  It amazes me that I have found trees here at Coombe that so remind me of my home State of California, USA.  There is a  mini forest of Redwood Trees as well as this Monterey Cypress on the left.  The Oak tree to the right is the tree I am photographing on a regular basis (from a different angle).

For more photos featuring the letter 'M', please follow the link to ABC Wednesday.

Just been out to photograph my next thatched roof house for tomorrow.  Have a good day!

'Goodbye Snow'

It still feels cold out with only a hint of sunshine today.  We decided to go for a walk this afternoon at Coombe Country Park.  As much as I love the snow, I am ready for more scenery like this.

I am standing at the entrance to the Park with Coombe Abbey Hotel behind me.  This is a favorite camera location of mine.

This is my world today.  Follow the link to Our World Tuesday for more photographs from around the world.

No Cameras Please....

...but in my case it was, 'You can't take pictures out here!'  At the time I was taking a photo of the Royal Coat of Arms outside Coventry Crown Court.  I was asked to delete my photos by a security guard.  It is beautiful piece of art and at least I got photo from a distance.  I hasten to add, I was allowed to keep the photos below.

I will go back at get better shots around the courts when they are closed :).  The sculpture is called Basilica by Paul de Monchaux.  It was installed in 1991, weighing a token 18 tonnes.  

Hope you all had a great weekend.  We actually had a decent amount of sunshine.  It is still cold but getting a tad warmer. I am ready for more of that.  Cheers.

PS  During the week I will be reverting back to a brighter template.  It may take a couple of days to get the color and spacing right....hopefully :).

Ansty Hall

The view of Ansty Hall from the road.  Ansty Hall is now a hotel but its origins date back to 1406.  If you read the link, you will see that there have been changes in ownership which means changes to the structure.  I have been there once for a meal and another time for a wedding reception.  Beautiful!

From the hotel, you can see our golf course (Ansty).  Should be playing this Sunday.  Mr. LOL is going to have to pass due to his poorly back.  It is our Ryder Cup competition and I will be playing for USA, of course :).

Participating in Skywatch Friday and Ein Stück Himmel.

Have a good weekend all.  Oh, here is some of the view from the hotel.....

Thatched Roof Thursday #25 - Dunchurch

This charming home is called Gateway and is located on The Square in Dunchurch.  This is another cottage that was possibly 2 cottages in 18th Century.  (I am finding that a lot of these old cottages have been combined to create one large home.)  It is Grade II Listed with little privacy judging by the size and location of the pavement. 

That is St Peter's Church just beyond the cottage.  Guy Fawkes House is behind me.  I rather like the white house next door to the thatched cottage.

Exciting day yesterday.  I was asked to delete photos I took of a sign outside Coventry Crown Court!  There was a brief discussion which was followed by, 'I like your accent' comment from the security guard.  That was after I had deleted 3 photos. Interesting! Earlier in the day, I  met the owner of Cruck House (the thatched cottage we have all  been watching be re-thatched).  Nice people live there.  More to follow...!

L Is For Little Lambs

I just couldn't pass on this pair.  They live in a open space in the village of Wolston.  The sun was out almost all day yesterday.  Hooray!

For more photos featuring the letter 'L', please follow the link to ABC Wednesday.

Let's Build A Nest...

...where everyone can watch!

Sunday afternoon at Coombe Country Park and this is what you get.  The first time ever I have seen a nesting swan.  What a spot.  That is Coombe Abbey Hotel in the background.

I'll be honest.  I am a little concerned about the location.  Seems quite exposed.  Fingers crossed that all goes according to plan.

I am delighted to say this is 'my world'.   Please click the link for more photos from around the world at Our World Tuesday.

For more about Coombe Abbey Hotel and Country Park, please click the 'labels' at the bottom right of this webpage.  Cheers!

April Theme Day - Pedestrians Crossing

After you .... !

Footpath at Coombe Country Park currently being used by me, a pigeon and a cygnet, soon to become a  'white' swan.

For more City Daily Photo Theme Day entries, please follow the link HERE.

Off to play an April Fools Day joke on Mr LOL :).  You have been spared...ha ha!