16 February 1999 Out on My Own

St Michaels Church bombed in WW2

Attempted to catch the local bus into town, it didn't come or went on by. I stood there for 30 minutes in the cold and couldn't take it anymore. I ended up taking a taxi into Coventry. I saw the old cathedral remains of St. Michael's which were bombed in WWII only the outside walls still stand, the stained glass windows gone and the decorated insides are now bare. The Transportation Museum which totally blew my mind. I expected a small museum with junk, but this was huge with lots of autos, bikes, motorcycles of British origin.  It was free too!

Godiva statue

The Lady Godiva Statue - her husband was in charge of the town and wanted to impose a tax on the people. She opposed the tax and proposed to her husband that she would ride through town on horseback naked as long as all the towns people would be behind closed doors and windows and not look at her. She did ride through town, but it is said that Tom was peeking as she rode by and was struck blind.

I didn't see any chocolate here though. Get it, Godiva Chocolates. While walking in the City Centre, I heard bagpipes playing what a neat sound, mood music. Makes you feel like your really in England. I found out where the train station and the bus station are located so I can go to other towns to sightsee. YEAH!!

Kenilsworth Castle ruins

This evening we drove into Kenilsworth to see Kenilsworth Castle ruins. It was past 5pm and the gates were locked. It's a small town with very narrow streets.  At the establishment we ate at hotel/bar/restaurant, the waiter asked James if he would like extra ice in his drink.  Of course he says YES PLEASE.  Getting a glass full of ice here is unheard of unless you ask politely.

Coventry is in the middle of England, referred to as Midlands in Warwickshire. It's manufacturing history dates back to 1896 with the production of Daimlers. Now you will see Jaguar, Massey Ferguson, Peugeot auto factories. In 1885, JK Starley invented and produced the modern bicycle and in 1930 Frank Whittle patented the jet engine both in Coventry. A small English town, great transportation, friendly people, and a mixture of old and new. Everything closes at 5 or 5:30pm Monday-Friday & closed on Sundays.