Coventry, Oakham, and Cambridge

I based myself in Leicester for a week and made several day trips.  This was much easier than moving to another town, negotiating travel with my pack, and being ultra careful with my leg.  It was still early days with weight bearing, and so I went to places where I could safely walk, but not too far.

My first destination was Coventry.  I particularly wanted to see the Cathedral there, and what a sight it was.  There are actually 2 Cathedrals, one being the ruins of the bombed building, and the other being the new, very modern, replacement. 

The ruins of Coventry Cathedral 

It is a very moving place.  There is only one thing (below) in the old Cathedral that survived that horrendous night.  

The "new" Cathedral, which was completed in 1962, is amazing.  The front of the building is a huge glass wall with a number of angels etched into it.  After entering, the building soars ahead, while looking back through the glass wall the ruins of the old building stand proud.

On the right wall is a glorious stained glass blaze of colour, and below that is a baptismal font which is made from a huge natural stone boulder brought from the hills above Bethlehem.   Into it is carved a hollow in the shape of a shell, a symbol of pilgrimage. 

The huge "blaze" of stained glass in the new building. 

The baptismal font

The morning after the bombing of the Cathedral two roof beams were found amongst the debris.   They had fallen in the shape of a cross, and these were lashed together in the same shape and that cross was put in the sanctuary ruins for a service later that morning.  It stood there for many years, but was eventually brought, for preservation, into the new building, and a relica replaced it in its stead.

The original cross of roof beams

The replica

At the front of the new building a huge tapestry hangs on the wall. This was one of the largest tapestries in the world, hanging almost 800 feet.  It was woven in France on a 500 year old loom.  The pipes for the organ are on either side of the choir. 

The tapestry at the front of the building 

Some very interesting old buildings have survived the ravages of the war.  Unfortunately I didn't get to see inside, but the Guild Hall looks pretty special, and then there's the statue of Lady Godiva, famous for riding naked through the town, and immortalised in Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem "Godiva".

Lady Godiva 

After a days rest I then made a day trip to the village of Oakham.  This is a market town,  and boats the oldest intact Norman hall.  It is used, even today, as a court several times a year.

This town has a very peculiar custom.  When the aristocracy visit it for the first time they gift a horseshoe to the hall.  Originally it would have been to the owners of the hall.  The oldest one there is from Edward IV.  Queen Victoria first visited when she was Princess Victoria, and so there is none from her as Queen.

The court room end of the hall

The large rusty looking horseshoe is the oldest one and would originally have had red paint on it.

After leaving Leicester I met Marguerita in Ely and returned with her to her house in Cottenham for 5 days.   It was lovely staying with her and while there I helped her re-arrange her sitting room.  She was volunteering at front of house for a musical production in her daughter's village and I went along to see it.  The production itself, a G & S, was well done, especially the orchestra, but the the story line left a lot to be desired!  It was called The Grand Duke, one I had never heard of, and having seen it I can understand why!

I went out for a walk when Marguerita was busy babysitting,  and walked over 6 kms on footpaths AND a muddy track!  I had no adverse affects, and the next day, after moving to Cambridge, in preparation for the journey to Gatwick, I walked in excess of 11 kms!  I taking that as the signal that I am well on the way to recovery.  While out on my walk I even had a sing in the church.

The muddy path

All Saints Church, Cottenham 

Thatched cottages in Cottenham 

After checking into my hotel in Gatwick I decided to make a day trip to Brighton.  It was a lovely spring day, the train was loaded with day trippers, not only for the seaside, but walkers headed off for a days wander.  There were also a lot of groups of blokes, and returning to the station I realised why.  Football!  

I'm afraid the pebbly beach had no appeal to linger on, or even walk on, nor did the smell of greasy fish and chips which carried up to the esplanade!  However I did wander around the town, seeing the Royal Chapel and the Royal Pavilion, and then down narrow streets lined bumper to bumper with expensive jewellery shops.

The Royal Pavilion, Brighton 

The Royal Chapel (and below), Brighton

People making the most of a lovely spring day, Royal Pavilion in the background. 

I am now sitting on the plane waiting for the pilot to get the signal to depart for Madrid, where Carol will be flying in, at this rate,  about the same time as me - I was meant to be an hour ahead of her!

I have had a different experience these past 9 weeks, but I have seen parts of the UK that I was not expecting to see, met some lovely people,  and am well on the way to recovery.