A quick trip to Coventry

So ages ago I went to visit an old friend of mine in Coventry - we worked at OPC together before she moved to Germany and then England. Fantastic to catch up with her and her lovely family. They showed me around Coventry (probably once a really lovely spot, before the bombings, but now apparently the murder capital of Europe! Hurrah!)

So. A bit of history. Originally a twin city of Stalingrad, it went on to become the twin city of 27 or so other cities (including Parkes, NSW - WOO! AUSTRALIA). Faithless hussy. Coventry is also (in a somewhat related note) the place where Lady Godiva strutted her stuff down the high street on her infamous laundry day, and where Tom Peeped (this for those who don't know, came from the fact that when Godiva came riding nekkid through the town everyone looked away [allegedly] except for Tom, who was subsequently "struck blind". That'll teach him. Still, a fairly formiddable girl whose Bits can render another human being sightless). Still, it's a warning to us all. And I studiously kept alert for any nekkid people on horseback so I could shield my eyes. Alas, none came.

Coventry is also the origin of the phrase "to send someone to Coventry", which basically means to shun someone and not speak to them or acknowledge their existence. Harsh, man. Harsh.

Fairly heavily bombed during World War 2, the once beautiful cathedral's ruins are still there, and my friend Ilona's daughter, Mai, had great fun climbing over them.

Failing to get mugged in the city we ventured out into the greenery that is the Midlands, taking off for a walk along the canals. On the way we found about a zillion of these signs: Which seem inordinately rude. Especially if there was anyone named Marina in the village.

But here's the canal.

Dad's gotta do what a dad's gotta do.

We ate lots, Mai and I were hushed in a local pub for making too much noise, and then, sadly, it was off home again to London. Byeee!