Coventry - Stratford-upon-Avon

 It's Remembrance Day, and we figured this would be a good day to be in Coventry, but they do most of their commemoration on Sunday! It also turns out that Coventry also doesn't have their museum open, that we had come to see, on a Monday. So we wandered around the city of Coventry instead. During this meandering we happened upon the town crier (or perhaps he happened upon us). He also happens to be a tour guide, and owner of a pub. His chat with us has guaranteed us going to his pub later tonight.

On 14th November 1940 515 German bombers set out to blitz Coventry. The dropped 500 tonnes of high explosives, 50 parachute air mines and 36,000 incendiary bombs. Around 568 people were killed (they can't be sure of the exact number), 4,300 homes were destroyed. Many lives were saved by the people of Coventry choosing to trek out into the countryside for sleep at night, instead of sleeping in their homes. Christian is standing in front of the altar. The cross is a copy of the original made by two beams of the church roof that fell in the shape of a cross. On the altar it says: Father Forgive.

This is one of the few things that survived the burning of the cathedral.

Inside the Cathedral that was burnt out.

Christian thought that this was rather ironic. This is the chapel of unity at Coventry Cathedral...which is off to the side, slightly detached from the main cathedral.

On the 15th of November 1940, upon seeing the damage to the church, the Provost vowed that the church would be rebuilt as a sign of peace and reconciliation.

So off to Stratford-Upon-Avon, the hometown of Shakespeare. On arrival we wandered around for over an hour, tramping in and out of around 6 or 7 second hand stores. Eventually we found a lovely Tudor house with lounges inside to have tea and scones. It was also a good way to recover from my first nasty headache since being away.

Christian with Hamlet

Everybody want a piece of Shakespeare's fame

This town is incredible to walk around. 

The place we found to have tea was delightful inside.

We even had a bit of sunshine.

The perfect Tudor place for tea.

On the advice of the waiter, we went to Anne Hathaway's cottage. We were not disappointed.

The house is truly interesting. Set in the original gardens and orchards. The house began being built in 1463. It has been either rented or owned by the Hathaway family since 1542 until 1911. Anne was born in the house in 1555. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust bought the house and contents in 1892, which means that there are many items here that were used by the Hathaway's of Anne's time.

A look into Anne's home.

The 1700's laundry

I had to show you the embroidery on the bed spread. It was exquisite!

What made this museum great was the museum guides. Lots of museums have them. But our past experience is that the guides are for you to ask questions of...these guys all gave a mini talk. They were all engaging, and full of great information. This here is thought to be the "second best bed" that was given to Anne Hathaway in Shakespeare's will. The best bed is usually the guest bed. The second best bed is the bed that the married couple of the house sleep in.

The chair is known to be one that William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway have used.

Typical of houses of this era...there are many levels...or maybe a lack of levelling 

In the orchard they had this interesting art piece...

Unfortunately, this may be the closest I get to walking in an English forest.

Outside the house from a different angle.

It was a delightful afternoon.

We ended our time here by going to the church where William Shakespeare was baptised and buried.

Whilst we were here we stopped for a bit of lunch - bread and cheese with pickles.

Driving to Coventry

This morning we packed up from Cullercoats. This was such a delightful place to stay. Such a unique little cottage, such a blessing of peace and rest for us both.

After church

We found my hat!

After much research, we went to Jesmond Parish Church this morning. The Gospel is preached in Newcastle after all! This is a large group, and yet they are nailing welcoming people. It was a very simple service of Word, prayer and song. The singing was good. The music good too, with a mix of organ and band playing together. We even sang God Save The King, with two more verses (not the usual second verse). The preacher was great too.

So off we drove to Coventry. Enjoying the stunning views along the way. We needed to stop for lunch, and pulled off the highway at Richmond...which has a castle. They all have castles. We had to stop and wander a bit through the narrow lanes and old buildings. We didn't explore the castle, but just wandering the streets is enough for us.

I can't remember which castle this was...but loving all the castles around!

This one is for you Tank!

Walking around Richmond

Enjoying the cramped streets

Loving the country roads.

After our dinner, on arrival at Coventry, we took a brief walk through the streets here. We are close to the cathedral that was bombed out during the war. Which is of course next to the cathedral that was built to symbolise peace and reconciliation directly after the war was ended. We happened upon the end of a service that seems to have been a cross between Anglican and Pentecostal.

This is the window at the church next door to the Cathedral...you can see the spire of the Cathedral in the background.

Lindisfarne - Holy Island

This morning the sun decided to show itself...making the countryside on our drive so beautiful.

Lindisfarne is an island that has tidal access. So you have to be sure to check the tide charts before you head out, and ensure you are off the island in time for the tide as well. This time of the year is a perfect time for visiting considering the low tide is throughout the daytime. So we were able to arrive at 9:30 and leave at 3:30 with some ease.

Walking up the road to Lindisfarne castle...built initially by Henry VIII, made into a holiday home in 1901 (what a place to holiday!)

Christian went all artistic with this photo of the castle in the distance, and rock wall in the foreground.

The rock walls are very green.

Caption this...Holy Island Sewerage

A sculpture of monks in the Anglican Church on the island, carrying the body of St Cuthbert

The old Priory. The dissolution of the monasteries happened in 1537 by Henry VIII.
The Abbey was built in AD 634. It has been home to St Aidan, and St Cuthbert, but was destroyed by the vikings. Later the Normans rebuilt the Abbey. Whilst we were here we sang Christ Is The World's Redeemer by St Columba (521-597) - he was missionary to the Scots, just a bit further north.

It was tempting boys...very tempting. So many people built so many little rock towers.

Christian tried out some planking

I crept up on some black face sheep for Skipper.

On the way back to Cullercoats, we drove down the coast road and saw Bramburgh Castle.

Cullercoats - Day 6

Today has been Rosebud's birthday... we so miss being with our children for this special day. But we know she has had a ball, with her siblings and grandparents spoiling her. Her birthday being extended by a full 12 hours because are away, we sang her Happy Birthday last night, and It's Your Birthday tonight. 

Yesterday the weather turned cold...and today it seems colder! I'm so glad I brought my gloves and my best jacket. 

We went out to Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland. Walked around the gardens, explored the house and then listened to a "potted talk" on the place. This was supposed to be half an hour, and being at 12:30, and so very cold, I was rather hungry. The talk...went...for...50 minutes! In the COLD!!! Even Christian was cold! After which we went straight to the car and I had lunch in the car with my seat warmer on. [Who invented seat warmers? I want to give this person a medal! I want a seat warmer in my next car!]

They had a second hand bookshop at the entrance to the hall...Christian was in his element!

This one is for you Tank...ha-ha!

This leather jerkin was used in the first battle for Charles I, the Battle for Edgehill: 23rd October 1642
The English Civil Wars.

The back of the house.

The ordered woods and gardens...

A pheasant...this one is for you Tank (can't shoot him though)

From the front, this house could have been in Pride and Prejudice.

Would have gone closer but...ha-ha!

The house was damaged by fire in 1822, so it's in a state of restoration.

The wine cellar here is huge! And they have an ice room.

That there is a wig folks! A mighty, big wig!

He had good information...just very slow in getting it out.

We then took the time to have tea and scones at the cafe there. My hands being so cold, they gave me an extra teapot of hot water...they didn't see me coming! That meant I used up all the tea in my pot and filled it again (and also that my hands and body were SO much warmer).

I'm cold...very cold!

The sun came out...that's it in the top corner...that's the first time we have seen the sun in days!

We made our second attempt to see the Tynemouth Priory, and failed again because we had failed to notice that due to the date they only open on the weekend. So we went for a walk around the headland instead.

To round off our day we drove into Newcastle Cathedral for Evensong. Whilst here we saw the castle that gives Newcastle its name. It is the new castle, being built by William the Conquerer's son. The old castle was built by the Romans (and there's nothing to see of it now).

This is the last photo I have of my hat...which I NEED by the way. I lost it somewhere in Newcastle Cathedral...clearly someone else needed it more.

I think they called this the crypt, but it looks a lot like a Norman chapel to me. 

Love the artwork here at one of the chapels.