Showing posts with label Coventry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coventry. Show all posts

Sunday, 20 April 2008

Saturated

Drizzle, a chill breeze and a moleskin sky - and in April, too. Enough to lower the spirits of the most determined optimist.

Time for a therapeutic visit to Coventry Cathedral where, no matter how dull the weather outside, the great Baptistry window may be relied on to create a soul-charging whoosh of light, colour and glory.

Each pane of John Piper's composition is an exquisite abstract composition in its own right.

The colours are intensely rich, each pane luscious in itself, yet contributing to the totality of the work. Unity and diversity.

As a child I would ask my mother to take off her sapphire engagement ring. I would then hold the stone up to the light and squint through it, drinking in its deep, intense and almost overwhelming blueness.

I can still recall the faint, yearning ache behind the solar plexus that the experience induced.

Tuesday, 1 April 2008

Browns study

Mr Gnome is a firm believer in the anti-depressant properties of a square meal in pleasant surroundings.

Hence his enthusiastic endorsement of this splendid independent bar-cafe-restaurant in the centre of Coventry.

Browns is in the way of being a bit of an architectural gem as well, with an intriguing mixture of wood, stone, glass and copper - not too mention the bold, curvacious shaping of the interior.

There's a big menu and helpings are on the hurrah! side of big. Loads of fresh vegetables.

Tonight the HB relished his chicken and ham pie with carrots, cabbage and garliccy roast potatoes. All for £5.50.

Atmosphere is a wee bit bo-ho, but the place is clean and staff, including the wardrobe-wide doorman, are cheerful and efficient.