Coventry in a day.

On Sunday morning the heavens opened and we had solid rain from early morning. This however did not prevent us from rugging up in winter gear and eagerley awaiting the arival of Jim and Joy who had offered to take us out for the day. By 10am the rain had eased as Jim arrived at the Wolvey caravan park and farm to collect us. We were driven through Coventry to Joy's house where we had a cuppa before setting out for the day. After a brief tour of the Coventry CBD we went to the Coventry Cathedral. The original Cathedral built in the 12th century was destroyed along with much of the centre of the city in November 1940 during a sustained bombing raid by the Luftwaffe. Only the tower, with its graceful spire, the crypts and the walls were left standing. The bombing of 1940 inspired a new ministry - a ministry of reconcilliation - reaching around the world, helping to heal the wounds of history and the pains of division. The ruins form an integral part of the new Cathedral complet!
ed in 1956. The contrast between the adjoining old and the new is quite stunning. We were able to walk around in both Cathedrals as the bells chimed in the tower of the ruins of the old Cathedral. They are still played by bell ringers who chimed out their music for about 20 minutes.
Lunch followed in a lovely wine bar and restaurant, then a walk through the modern shopping plaza to see the statue of Lady Godiva. From the modern shopping plaza we emerged onto Spon Street, and stepped back into Mediaeval times amongst the reconstructed shops and public houses lining each side of the cobblestone street. It was then on to the Coventry Transport Museum, the most fascinating and interesting place. On display are hundreds of bicycles, motor cycles, cars and trucks all built in Coventry in years gone by. We were amazed to see that they were over 100 car manufacturers in Coventry in its heyday as a vehicle manufacturing city. This explains why Coventry was a major target for bombing during the second world war, at that time they had turned their attention to the production of vehicles for the war effort. My favourite display however was the BMW 1150 GS motorcycle used by the Scottish actor Ewan MacGregor to complete the gruelling "Long Way Round" motorcycle tour!
through Eastern Europe, Russia, Mongolia, Alaska and the lower US states to New York, with his English mate Charlie Borman. Their story was the subject of a most iteresting mini-series TV documentary and an enthralling three disc DVD. Thanks to Jim and Joy for their great hospitality and for showing us around their special part of the world. Without them we would not have had such a fabulous time in and around Coventry.
Kevin & Gail.
www.alaska-2006.blogspot.com

------------------------------
Sent via PocketMail
Email Anywhere
www.pocketmail.com