On the trail of Godiva

"What are your plans for the day?" enquired DH on Friday morning
"I shall be sent to Coventry!" I announced.
Nothing new there, pondered DH.

Later DH tried again.
"So where ARE you going today?"
"Coventry. I've seen mention of a market online, so we are going to investigate."
DH was still bemused that anyone would want to go to Coventry.
The road system is enough to put anyone off...
'Is there anything you would like me to get?"
"A fridge thermometer."
"No problemo," or so I imagined...

"Motorway or non-motorway?" enquired my fellow explorer.
I thought about the delights of the Midlands motorway network
and could hardly contain my excitement <joke>
"Non-motorway!"
The satnav took us on an interesting route, via Stratford.
Hardly the way I would have expected to go...
"Why didn't we just cut through Henley?"
"Maybe there was a hold up at the traffic lights?"
We will never know, for Satnavs never divulge the reasoning for the routes they choose.

The aforementioned satnav had been programmed
for the car park near the markets and the surprising blue glory of Coventry Ikea.
As we drove in signs announced that this was a ticketless car park - something we had not encountered before, but we were committed.
I suspect that they rely on CCTV, rather than just trusting that patrons will pay.

We headed off towards the shops.
Noticing a sign indicating access to the market
we found ourselves on a rooftop section of car park.
Alas, as we headed towards the sign advertising access to the market
we noticed that the roller shutter was down.
Muttering 'open sesame' was not going to gain us access.
Squinting through the windows of a large raised skylight we could see a roundabout beneath us.
Weirder and wierder...

My fellow explorer accosted an innocent looking man, who had just parked his car.
"How do we get to the market?"
He gave us a strange look,
as if to say 'why would you attempt to gain access to the market through the roof?'
and indicated back the way we had come.
We retraced our steps and somehow found ourselves on the level below.
Don't ask me how, because I really can't remember!

We soon located the market -
which appears to be circular,
with the odd circular skylight -
one of which definitely had a roundabout beneath it,
so I didn't dream that bit!

We attempted to explore the market using a sensible and logical approach,
but as there were some stalls selling the identical merchandise,
I was never quite sure whether we were passing stalls for the first, second or possibly third time.
We discovered a stall selling a vast array of kitchenware
"Do you have a fridge thermometer?" my fellow traveller enquired.
"Sorry," came the regretful reply. "They are on order, but they didn't come on the delivery."
"Never mind, I am sure we will find one somewhere."

At a stationary stall - I am such a sucker for stationery - I was delighted to discovered packs of six mini notebooks for £1 - perfect for the Christmas prize-a-time raffle.
"That is better than Amazon!" I observed.
I raided my purse for sufficient dosh to purchase two packs.
Locating the lady behind her towering display of christmas themed mechandise
was somewhat trickier.
I went one way, she went the other.
Finally the she emerged from the depths of her stall to take my money.
I happily stowed by goods in my bag.






The produce section of Coventry market is a joy to behold,
stalls loaded with a vast array of fresh food.










As we passed by the herb stalls
a pungent pot pouri of hebal fragrance
filled the air.

If you want fresh food,
this really is the place to come.
Once my town had a good market,
but even in its heyday
it was never as good as this.
Alas, I was not wanting to buy fruit and veg at this stage of our trip.
We should have saved the market until the end!






We were rather bemused by these strange contraptions dumped in the middle of the market. I assume they are barrows that get taken out into the streets on sunny days,
rather than the biers they resembled!







From the market we moved on through the shopping centre
until we emerged next to a flying saucer, sponsored by Cafe Nero.
Coventry is obviously very proud of this flying saucer
and has built a glass roof over the top to prevent it from escaping...







Next I decided that I wanted to buy a card.
Waterstones didn't have anything that met my need, but WHSmithcame up trumps.
I also admired the stationery and resisted...Have I mentioned that I am a sucker for stationery...
"Any good cookshops nearby?" my fellow explorer enquired of the lady at the till,
"We are looking for a fridge thermometer..."
"The assistant sadly shook her head, 
"You could try Wilkinsons..." she said doubtfully,
handing over my receipt
and a sheaf of promotions for MacDonalds.

We emerged from Smiths into another shopping arcade, with see-through lifts and escalators.
We stuck to the safety of the escalators.
"It's just like Watford!" 
declared my fellow raveller.
Debenhams disappointed in the fridge thermometer stakes.

Jurassic Cov

Heading towards the Cathedral.
we took a wrong turning
and paused to watch a mechanical dinosaur,
which was in the process of devouring a building.

Time for lunch.

The Slug and Lettuce got our custom.
It was quiet on a Friday lunchtime so we had a vast selection of tables to choose from.

Glory

After lunch we entered the nearby Cathedral.

It is always a delight to step into this amazing building 

and admire again the genius and vision of the architect

who designed this vast spiritual space.























I stood for some time admiring the beautiful metalwork of this cityscape - the different shapes and textures. 

Part of me wishes the plumbline was not quite so out of scale with the city. 

My fellow travellor would have prefered the city to have been suspended from the plumb line...

Two out of Three Aint Bad

It is always interesting watching a cathedral at work.
I observed as one of the vergers replenished the oil in the candles on top of these immense candlesticks.
The stepladder provides a sense of perspective.











Next we headed for the charity shops - no interesting necklaces to be found,
but we did discover some beautiful almshouses.
Ancient beams contrasting with the blue curves of the adjacent sports complex.
Coventry may not be a beautiful city, but it has plenty to interest a visitor.
One street resembed a timeline of business failures with BHS close to Thomas Cook.
We thought the M & S was closed too,
but it was actually open.
"Shall we go in?"
"Nah, I've moved on from M& S after they abandoned our town. They don't really interest me anymore."



We passed the rear entrance to Wilkinsons, but had no idea how to find the main entrance.
By now we had walked so far, that not even the thought of a fridge thermometre could lure us in.

We retraced our steps towards the fountain, admiring the fantastic voice of a young busker,  Jason Allan - here he is singing in another city.

Coventry, we will return, even if you do not sell fridge thermometers...