Rambling, Coundon Wedge Area

We used to travel to Birmingham in our school holidays in 1958 on the 12.00 from Euston. It was always 24 coaches and was always pulled by a Jubilee double headed with either a Class 5 or, occassionally, a Stanier 8f! It arrived at New Street at 14.00, so it was definitely a 2-hour train. When a 2-8-0 was at the head, its con-rods seemed to glow! The train stoped in Coventry for the first 12 coaches and then pulled forward for the remaining 12. The time from Coventry to New Street was 22 minutes, which is the same time as today's Pendolinos, albeit with a stop at International, which didn't exist in those days. One lunchtime we arrived a little late at Coventry and, while we were buying our day returns, we heard it begin to pull forward. We thought it was just pulling forward for the second half of the train. We sprinted over the bridge to find that it really was going. I pulled open a door, through in my books and leaped on. My friend leapt in behind me and a station porter kicked the door closed behind us. Phew! We must have been mad.

Thank you for that InnisRoad. No joke, if the track re-alignements that were carried out just a few years ago, on the line between Coventry & London had been completed sixty years ago, I just wonder what timings would have been achieved by these mid-power Jub's. The first Jubilee to be scrapped was Windward Iles, that was damaged beyond repair, being the pilot engine on a Euston to Liverpool express, which ran into the wreckage from the collsion of a Perth to Euston sleeper train which had run into the back of a local train at Harrow. The Perth train Engine, City of Glasgow was re-built, but the jub' & the Princess class on the Liverpool train were too badly damaged. At the point of impact, the Liverpool train was travelling at over sixty, mostly uphill to that point out of London.

Todays walk was rewarded with a glimpse of the 'Blue Dart of Summer', so described by the poet Tennyson. I waited around sat on a seat hoping to see the Kingfisher perched but it was too wise for me. Maybe another day. So many brooks come together here which eventually drain into the Sherbourne, the area is known as 'The Brooklands'. I only carry my mobile phone when out walking, but the picture is good enough to give an impression of the delight of walking this area. This is Coventry at noon today. Not Borneo, or the delights of a Scottish Glen.

The spire of All Saints at Allesley just visible in the distance on my walk today. No sign of the Kingfisher today. The brook running fast & clear. On my walk this morning I met a well retired Coventry policeman at the Nugget. He was a fount of info on Coventry, being from the days of 'All steel bicycle brigade. I told him about this site, so if we have a new member that says "Evening All" it might be him. Best wishes to you all.

Thank you for the lovely photos Philip, especially the Allesley spire. Takes me back to our blackberrying days over Allesley fields. Isn't it amazing the summers always seemed to be longer in our younger days. If it is not asking too much we would appreciate more photos of that nature as I think you enjoy taking them. Thanks again.

Thank you 'Dreamtime' for your kind comments. Talking about blackberries, it will soon be that time of the year again. The brook that runs nearest to the churchyard was totally dry this morning, but the Sherbourne was in good flow as can be seen. Coundon Wedge must be the last sizable area of farm land that is inside the City. There were great fears that it would disappear when the bypass was built, but it is still looking good. I can walk for hours over a miriad of footpaths with hardly a hint that I am inside an industrial city. Another friend has contacted me to see if we can walk the three pubs, the Nugget, Elms & Brooklands. If we are in reasonable fettle, I replied that we could make it five pubs if we include the White Lion & the Royal Court restaurant. I did not see the kingfisher that I was hoping for this morning, but I did see a kestrel, sparrowhawk, jevenile buzzard, as well as a vole & possibly a stoat. Best wishes

I agree with Dreamtime Philip. Just love your pictures. Hope to do some of these beautiful walks when we are in Coventry next year. Gilly

The sun is shining & the weather forecast is good. I have decided to have another attempt at trying to find the kingfisher this morning. Also, I noticed the Tollgate pub advertising breakfasts from 7am, so I might give that a try. I can feel a 'Wedgeee breakfast' coming on, that might last until next year, Gilly. . Hint!!! Best wishes to you all Philip.

A question for you Philip. I definitely remember a stile to climb over into the fields at the back of Allesley church, it wouldn't still be there would it after all these years ? I remember you had to walk along the churchyard path and there it was. Good luck with the walks and don't forget the camera !!

A question for you Philip. I definitely remember a stile to climb over into the fields at the back of Allesley church, it wouldn't still be there would it after all these years ? I remember you had to walk along the churchyard path and there it was. Good luck with the walks and don't forget the camera !! Hi, they are all kissing gates now. All the way from the church to Northbrook Rd. Most are aluminium in construction, but a few are timber. I am just home now after another failed attempt to see the kingfisher. I will post a couple of pics from this mornings ramble, although not from my camera, but my mobile which is so easy to carry. Hope they bring back memories. The start of my ramble today is here at Coundon Court school, formally the home of The Singer family. After leaving the area where the brooks come together, shown on previous days pics, this lovely grassland meadow forms the pathway out of the Wedge & onto the Holyhead Rd. My last pic today was on Holyhead Rd, whilst I was walking to the Tollgate for breakfast. Growing up in Wyken as I did, this area was outside of my stomping ground. It was only in my last years of school that I came to enjoy Coundon Wedge along with a school chum who lived in Coundon. I have fallen in love with it now because it is so convenient. A good bus service gives access at three strategic points which also coincide with three eating facility pubs. The brooks coming together give it an echo system that is lacking if without. Longford park, although just a park & not farm land, at least has the 'Sowe' running through it. A river or brook adds another dimension to such an area. Although slightly outside the scope of Coventry, I enjoy visiting Nuneaton for the same reason. If I am on the bus, (or in my car which I park in the Pringles), from Coventry, on a nice day I get off at the Coton Arches, then walk into the centre of Nuneaton through Riversley Park, all along the river side, which takes me all of the way, under the ring road, without touching traffic. Best wishes to you all.

Lovely, thank you, keep them coming. I envy you your walks especially when there is a meal to follow. The last time we were at the Tollgate we were sitting outside with pop and crisps out on the front and that was about 40 yrs. ago. I guess it is all eateries now. Do they serve a good beer that's the main thing. !! Bye for now.

With the promise of a sunny Sunday, & the prospect of a Sunday lunch out, I was able to lure my wife to the delights of the Wedge. She is no stranger to it. It was early when we set out, ( in our motor I may add, (gasps). The problem with the car, as I have said before is that a ramble has to be a circular, whereas I prefer a linear route. We would never have reached our lunch at Mancetter without the car though. I tend to avoid the heat of the midday, that is why I am happy to upload a post on here at this time of day, before we venture out a bit later. The pics are at the Holyhead Rd, end where I had parked in the steam-lorry lay-by. On our way to Mancetter, we looked at the source of several of the brooks that flow into the Sherbourne. Again, much easier accomplished on foot or bike. When the Wedge bypass was built, several of the lanes around Allesley were blocked to motors. I was told by a Geography teacher that understanding water courses & their history is a good insight to understanding the locality. We do look like a pair of ramblers, hey! 'A good wife is sweeter than honey'.

Great photos. Its a pity there was no one to take one of the two of you together. All you need there is a picnic rug, your favourite bottle of wine and a cheese board with fresh french bread. Hope you enjoy many more walks together.

Excellent pictures you must have a really good camera !

mayjan, Excellent pictures you must have a really good camera ! Hello, Mayjan. No, honestly, it is just my