Britrail, Coventry

Dear All,
Found this free computer at The Herbert Gallery in Coventry. Today is the start of our Britrail journey. We caught a taxi to St.Pancras to avoid lugging our big cases and to leave them in left luggage. We are touring with our wheelie cabin bags and a most useful zipped canvas bag that I used as a day pack. I had bought this for $5 from one of those cheap shops in Swanston Street after a visit to my fincial planner. It was so much better than the Botanica back pack that would have filled the case and its black and white design of Australian place names or black side matched all my clothes. I discovered it was easier to walk to Euston station than get the tube. We were early so decided to take an earlier train than we had planned. First class is the way to go. We will easily make up the difference between second class with our free drinks, biscuits and chips. It is so good to be a Senior with all the discounts. The train whizzes along. We were in Coventry just after 9.00am. Have always wanted to see Coventry Cathedral and it even exceeded my expectations. The new Cathedral and the Gothic ruin compliment each other. It is hard to believe that this new structure was built in the 1960s. Their is a poignant memorial in the apse of the shattered church with a cross made up of charred wood with the wall behind engraved with 'Father Forgive' which apparently a priest had written in chalk
at the time. The new Cathedral uses the traditional Gothic plan but the effect is exciting. The Baptistry has a huge stained glass windows composed of rectangular shapes with smaller irregular shaped panels of glass with sections of the same hue. The central section is yellow in the with vibrant lower section like a garden and blue above and circular shapes on the side. The overall effect is stunning. This is set off by a clear entry wall of glass with etched figures and jaunty angels. This was the work of a NZ artist, John Hutton. We had booked a tour of the Cathedral at 11.15am so had an initial look around until the Herbert Gallery opened at 10.00am. A lady at the desk enabled us to leave our bags with her as neither the train nor bus station had lockers in the age of terrorism. The gallery is a wonderful airy modern
building. It has a fantastic shop and I have been good for the Coventry economy. Before our tour we viewed a fantastic contemporary exhibition. entitled 'From Here to There' which included a bed by Tracy Gilbert and George drinking gin. Our cathedral tour was outstanding.
We returned to the Gallery for lunch in the cafe and to see some more exhibitions including one of Lady Godiva. There is also some excellent sculpture. Heading to Glasgow soon - this will be our longest trip. Roger has just returned from looking at a photographic exhibition of canal boats that he found uninteresting. Better stop. Don't know when you will learn of the wonders of our garden tour but it was fantastic from beginning to end. May have to complete the last five days at home.
Having a great time
All is well
love Jo and Rog