Wednesday, July 23

Today we were allowed to sleep in and our leave time was 8:30 a.m., a half hour later. We began the day in Coventry’s center at St. Michael’s Cathedral, which was bombed by the Germans in 1940. During 11 hours of bombing the windows where blown out and the roof completely destroyed. The walls are mostly standing, but since they were burnt, with not support a roof. Standing inside the cathedral was a moving and sobering experience. Being there brought back childhood memories World War II for Louise. Particularly moving were a wooden cross made from burnt roof timbers on an alter with the words “Father Forgive Them” and a reconciliation statue. A short walk from the cathedral was a statue of Lady Godiva.

After Coventry, we drove approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, passing Sherwood Forest, the home of the legendary Robin Hood, on our way to York, England’s most complete medieval city. Forst and Louise to a bus tour around the city with the ability to get on and off the bus as they wished. They got off to walk a couple streets and have lunch. Alan and Joyce toured York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral north of the Alps. Several cathedrals have been built on or near the site with the first in 627. The present minster was begun in 1220. The cathedral is massive, with incredible detail in painted glass windows, stained glass windows, intricate wood and stone carvings. It is truly incredible to think of how difficult it was at that time to build something so massive and tall. Alan and Joyce wanted to climb the 297 steps to the top of the tower, but timing of the guided tours did work out. They then walked the narrow, curving streets teaming with small shops and tourists marveling at the cobblestone streets and age of the building. Before getting back on the tour bus, Alan and Joyce walked a section of the medieval city wall.

From York it was on to Scotch Corner Hotel, an old ivy covered hotel pretty much in the middle of nowhere. After a dinner of pork roast, salmon, potatoes, veggies, pie and cheese cake, Alan and Joyce had to opportunity to sit in a hot tub to end the day.