Saturday 5th July 2014

After an excellent meal at 'The Greyhound' Hawkesbury Junction, we awoke this morning to light rain after it had rained heavily during the night and Graham had to spend quite a while mopping out the bilges etc. The weather soon improved and, although cooler than the last few days, was still very pleasant. 

Having been warned that the Canal into Coventry was very dirty we took a leisurely pace and arrived at the basin about noon. Luckily the canal must have been cleaned up as apart from the usual bottles and a few shoes the waterway seemed quite clean. There are two arms in the basin. One is reserved for hire boats and being Saturday they were all in being cleaned. The other already had two boats moored and really only room for 2 more. We were pleased that we arrived when we did. 

A footbridge over the inner ring road takes you to the City centre and Lady Godiva's statue.

Legends abound as to why she rode naked through the town. I quite like the one which says she objected to the taxes which her husband Leofric had inflicted upon the town. He quickly withdrew the taxes!

Next stop was the cathedral. We ascended the spire which was the main part left standing after the Luftwaffe raid 14th November 1940 reduced the rest to ruins. Two burnt roof rafters were found in the shape of the cross and although this is now in the new cathedral, a replica remains on the altar in the ruins.

Inside the new cathedral the choir were practising which reminded us of the many hours spent at 

St. George's Windsor Castle. A lovely sound. There are many beautiful parts to the new Cathedral but The Baptistry window is probably the most striking. Simply beautiful.

As a complete contrast I was surprised at how large the shopping centre was and it had the biggest Primark I have seen - at least 3 stories high and even marked on the guide which you use at the top of the spire to identify the surrounding sights.

Upon returning to the basin the other boats had left so we thought that this was the view for the night.

An hour later 4 large hire boats full of stag party males arrived! Their antics trying to turn the boats were quite amusing and we are sure that at least one guest will be in the water before the night is over. An hour later a 5th boat arrived but, after a great deal of revving the engine and ropes thrown into the water as the guy on the land didn't catch them, they have moved out of the basin and are presumably moored nearby.  At the moment all is quiet  but we have just discovered that a club has opened its doors about 100yds. away. It could be a noisy night!