Skywatch Friday - Coventry Trio

I waited for Superman to turn up, with no avail.  I did so want to be able to say - 'Is it a bird?  Is it a plane?  No, it's Superman'.  Guess I'll happily settle for this 'trio' instead.

Now you might not be excited about this photo but I am.  I took it through the windscreen of our car (I wasn't driving) and managed to get the moon, bird and plane with a point and shoot camera.

Join the fun on Skywatch Friday.

Have a good weekend all.  I am going to watch Ryder Cup golf on TV and eat Tootsie Rolls.  Back for City Daily Photo Theme Day (Silhouette) on Monday, 1st October.  (Oh my goodness me, it is nearly Christmas!!!)

AMERICAN CANDY in ENGLAND

For the first time ever I have seen Tootsie Rolls at a regular grocery store.  Hooray!!!

Asda (owned by Walmart), Walsgrave, Coventry

You can sometimes find small speciality shops selling American candy (at a price that makes you wonder if  purchasing a return ticket to USA is better value).   Well, today at one of Coventry's largest supermarkets  I found something new amongst the Hershey's and Reese's....a favourite...Tootsie Rolls.  When you are an American living in England that calls for a photo for your blog (as well as small purchase).  What you see is about 1/10th of very long shelves dedicated to the sweet tooth.  Those candy bars are called 'sweets' over here.  Quaint :).

Tomorrow is the first day of the Ryder Cup golf tournament (USA vs Europe) taking place in Chicago, USA.  I plan to be glued to the TV for the duration (eating Tootsie Rolls) hoping that Europe retain the Cup.  (I know, I can hardly believe that I said that.)  Try and watch some of it, people.  A great tournament!

Restoration At Its Best

The Establishment Bar & Grill, formerly The Old County Hall

Here is a little peek inside one of Coventry's newest licensed premises.  Less than 20 years ago this was the main courtroom in Coventry Crown & County Court before the Courts moved to new premises across town.  The building stood derelict for years.  What  a change. Note the Crown Crest above the seat where the Crown Court judge used to sit.  Just outside is the Cathedral, St Mary's Hall, and Holy Trinity Church.

County Hall historical marker

I don't know what to make of  'the last public execution taking place in Cuckoo Lane'.  There has to be a story.

Look Up - There Are Messages To Be Found

This is one of two small windows inside the tower of  Blue Coat School.  On the opposite side is a similar window with the words, 'Refurbished 1999'.  I love the design.  Photos below give you an idea of the structure from inside and outside.  It really does pay to look up...there are messages to be found. 

Blue Coat School, designed by James Murray in Gothic Style  

The new Blue Coat School (above) was built in 1856/7 over part of the remains of the medieval cathedral that was demolished by Henry VIII and which also served as the priory  church of the Benedictine monastery.  This building replaced the first school building (c1714-1855) which was structurally unsound by the mid 19th century.

Coventry University's Latest Architecture

Faculty of Engineering and Computing

Thanks to some rather innovative architecture, Coventry University has another unusual building for the students to use and enjoy.  I showed this building under construction in March.   Here is how it looks now.

I am anxious to see what it looks like at night.  Next time we have some clear skies (not likely soon), I will hotfoot it over to have a look.

Needless to say, these photographs were NOT taken today, but last week.  Our old friend 'rain' has returned with his mate, 'high winds'.

Ever Wondered What 100 Tonnes Looks Like?

Here you go!  It looks like this.

Quantum Leap Sculpture, Shrewsbury
To Mark the 200th Anniversary of Darwin's Birth

This massive sculpture stands 12 metres high and 17.5 metres long with a weight of more than 100 tonnes.  What is it?  Well, that is open to interpretation. (I will go with 'vertebrae'.)  It was designed by Colin Pearce & Ranbir Lal and represents Charles Darwin's scientific ideas and his impact on the scientific world.

Quantum Leap on River Severn, Shrewsbury

And, here we have Charles Darwin Statute outside the museum and library which at one time was Shrewsbury School.  That's right, he was a student there. What is interesting to me is that this statute was unveiled in 1897.  Seems such a long time ago.

Darwin (1809 - 1882)

Have a super weekend everyone.  Cheers!

Fancy A Train Ride?

By train, Shrewsbury is only an hour from Birmingham and Birmingham is only 30 minutes from Coventry.  My idea of a nice day out.  

River Severn and Shrewsbury Train Station.

Above is a view from Shrewsbury's Norman Castle, founded in c1070. Little of that castle survives. The River Severn flows right under the train station platforms.

No, that isn't a castle (photo below).  That is Shrewsbury's mainline train station and tower built in 1848. It has a surprise..........

Shrewsbury Train Station

When you go through the door and up the stairs your are not inside a magnificent building but outside again.  What a surprise.  The view here is looking back to the station tower (on the right) and there is a hint of Shrewsbury Castle on the left.





When we visited the station it was neat to see a very long line of Pullman Coaches soon to take visitors on a steam train adventure around Wales and England.

One more stop tomorrow and then it is back to Coventry.

River Avon, Warwick

River Avon,  Warwick

If you would like to know what is to my right, have a look here: Pasadena Daily Photo and you can also read all about Petrea Burchard's, soon to be published book, Camelot & Vine.  Because of Petrea, I was inspired to go and take pictures around Warwick Castle.  Gosh, what a fantastic place and only just down the road from Coventry.


Back to Shrewsbury tomorrow.  (I felt the need to interrupt my visit up north to link today's photo in with the Pasadena Daily Photo.  Can you blame me.)

Year 1702 - Let's Move House...The Whole House

That's right!  The building opposite is known as Castle Gates House in Shrewsbury.  It was moved to its present location in 1702 by the Earl of Bradford.  He wanted to make way to build another building, later to become the Guildhall.  Now that gets my vote for conservation.

Castle Gates House under watchful eye of Charles Darwin
Shrewsbury

I am standing in the entrance to Castle Gates Library, looking past a statute of Charles Darwin (born in Shrewsbury) towards Castle Gates House.

Well, I am going to have to come back tomorrow to show you a tad more.  But first, here is another view towards Castle Gates House.  (Can you guess that there is a Castle nearby.  It's behind me!)

Castle Gates House (with Church beyond)
Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury is about 66 miles away from Coventry.

Shrewsbury, England

This is typical of the architecture to be found in Shrewsbury located about 66 miles from Coventry.  The buildings are simply known as 'black-and-white buildings'.

High Street, Shrewsbury

The building (above) on the left has a plaque which reads:  'Erected by Richard Owen the Elder Gentleman. AD 1569'. No blue skies on this day, but the flowers make up for that.

Across the street from the Owen mansion is the Old Market Hall which has this well-maintained Coat of Arms on it.  Those 3 creatures are known as loggerheads, the heraldic term for leopards' faces.  Interesting.

Coat of Arms of the former Shrewsbury Borough Council
Old Market Hall

I visited Shrewsbury on the way back from watching golf at the Women's British Open near Liverpool.  Tomorrow a little more from that drive home.