Kickin’ it with Dippy

Birthday Adventure 2024 steamrolled into its final days with a trip to see and hang out with Dippy. 

Dippy, Laura’s old friend, was excited to learn of our plan to visit.

After residing in London, Dippy moved to the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry. The relocation allowed Dippy to make new friends and share tales from around the world.

Luckily, Coventry is only a short hour’s train ride from London. 

When it came to buying train tickets, I explained that it was absolutely essential to exercise patience. Timing was everything, as purchasing tickets too early or too late could result in significant cost implications. Specifically, the fare for a one-way trip was set at £35.

We purchased our tickets when I received a notification from a price tracker that ticket prices had dropped to just £9 for a one-way trip and £15 for the round trip. This great deal ensured our day trip to Coventry was a go.

GETTING HERE

An early morning wake-up call was necessary as our train would depart London Euston Station at 8:45 a.m. It would take about 30 minutes by London Underground to reach Euston from Ladbroke Grove.

Yes, a taxi to Euston would take only 10 minutes, but would cost £45. The tube, at £2.90, took longer but cost less.

We agreed to arrive at Euston at least 45 minutes before our train’s departure. This buffer time accounted for the possibility of missing our initial tube train and having to wait for the next one, which typically took around 10 minutes.

The morning unfolded without a hitch, and we reached our destination at 8 a.m. We savored a delightful breakfast as we eagerly anticipated our train departure.

The announcement to board the train came at 8:35 a.m. Along with the 100 other passengers, we made a mad dash to our train car. With two minutes to spare, we found our car and our seats. 

Settling in for our journey to Coventry, we were able to unwind and take in the picturesque views and the cozy atmosphere of the train.

COVENTRY

Our train arrived in Coventry on time. Using Google Maps, we navigated toward the city centre as Dippy wouldn’t be ready for us until 10:15 a.m. 

Coventry captivated us with its undeniable charm. As we immersed ourselves in the city, we discovered the inspiring narrative of hope, resilience, and renewal that defines Coventry, all driven by the unyielding passion of its inhabitants. The lively thoroughfares, the warm and welcoming residents, and the profound historical tapestry collectively etched an indelible mark on our hearts.

Our day trip coincided with Coventry City’s Armed Forces Day. This event allowed members of the public to show support to the men and women who make up the British armed forces community, whether they are currently serving personnel, serving families, veterans or cadets.

As a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, I find it humbling to see how other countries show respect to their military members. 

A striking statue caught our eye as we continued our stroll through the city centre. I knew who the historical figure being depicted was of course. I chose to remain silent though, allowing Laura and Maria to make their own discovery and appreciate the statue’s significance.

Their reaction was pure enjoyment when they realized it was a statue of Lady Godiva.

LADY GODIVA

Yes, the legendary noblewoman who rode naked – covered only by her long hair – through the streets after her husband, Leofric, said that was the only way he’d lower taxes on his tenants.

We’d all heard the Lady Godiva story, but Laura and Maria did not know it happened in Coventry. I admit I didn’t know either until I did my pre-trip research the night before.

The legend also explains the origin of the term ‘Peeping Tom.’ Legend has it that before Lady Godiva embarked on her famous ride, she instructed the people of Coventry to stay indoors and not to gaze outside.

Unfortunately, a man named Tom couldn’t resist the temptation and chose’ to peek through his window. As a result of his disobedience, he was famously struck blind, becoming the embodiment of the infamous ‘Peeping Tom.’

It’s a nice tale, but like the Legend of the Wieliczka Mine, you must take it with a grain of salt.

HANGING OUT WITH DIPPY

It was now 10:15 a.m., and Dippy was ready for our visit. We made our way to the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum. When we arrived, we were greeted with our special Dippy the Diplodocus plush toy.

As we wandered around, we had a delightful time catching up with Dippy, laughing and recalling cherished memories from the past. We also made sure to take plenty of photos to preserve the memory of our visit.

After our time with Dippy, we were delighted to learn that the rest of the museum was open for exploration. As with many museums in the United Kingdom, entry to the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is free.  

“Collecting Coventry,” the main exhibition, was teeming with a fascinating array of objects and curiosities. Visitors could marvel at a 4.5 billion-year-old meteorite and contemplate a state-of-the-art COVID testing kit, among other intriguing artifacts.

The sensory items were neat, but I passed on sniffing badger poo. It may be earthy, but so are my brothers after gym class, and I don’t want to smell them either.

ZIZZI – COVENTRY

After exchanging farewells with Dippy, hunger caught up with us. We chose Zizzi because it was open, spacious, and not packed with visitors, making us feel comfortable and safe. 

Overall, it was not a bad dining experience. The customer service was excellent and professional. The restaurant was relatively clean, and the atmosphere was pleasantly quiet, creating a relaxed and comfortable environment for lunchtime.

For our main course, I decided to try the Herb-Rolled Pork Belly, which turned out to be a flavorful choice. However, I found myself wishing that there was a bit more spinach accompanying the dish. 

On the other hand, Laura and Maria opted for the small macaroni and cheese and the intriguing Wild Garlic and Pesto Bombe. Interestingly, they initially mistook the bombe for a soup due to its unique presentation.

COVENTRY TRANSPORT MUSEUM

With a full two hours remaining before our departure back to London, we eagerly seized the opportunity to delve into the fascinating exhibits at the  Coventry Transport Museum.

The museum, previously known as the Museum of British Road Transport, is home to an extensive collection of British-made road transport vehicles. This diverse collection includes motor cars, commercial vehicles, bicycles, and motorcycles, providing visitors with a comprehensive look at the evolution of transportation in the United Kingdom.

Entry to the museum is £15. However, admission was 50% off for us because we’d visited Dippy the same day. We showed our Dippy ticket confirmation and got the discount.

During our exploration, we learned that Coventry, a world leader in car manufacturing in the 1800s and 1900s, faced a significant setback when German bomb raids devastated the city in 1940. However, the city’s resilience and determination to overcome this adversity is truly inspiring. Despite the demise of the British car industry, Coventry has since bounced back to become a vibrant cultural destination.

Spending the next 75 minutes at the museum turned out to be a delightful experience. I was pleasantly surprised by the museum’s size and thoroughly enjoyed the interactive exhibits. While the blitz reenactment was a bit lackluster, the extensive collection of cars was absolutely fantastic.

The highlight for me was seeing the Jaguars, and I found the history of Coventry’s motor industry to be incredibly engaging and informative.

CONCLUSION

After briefly visiting the nearby Waterstones to browse through the latest releases and pick up a few tantalizing books, we returned to the train station. Once there, we boarded the train and began our journey back to London, using the ride to unwind and relax.

This day trip was not just a leisurely escape, but a valuable educational experience. It offered me another chance to break away from the bustling city of London and explore the fascinating history of a charming English city. I learned more about Lady Godiva, the British Transport Industry, and the captivating heritage of Coventry.

Some adventures are genuinely worth the ticket price, and I gladly add Coventry to that list. The knowledge and memories I gained from my Coventry adventure are priceless, making the cost of the train ticket a small price to pay for such a rich experience.

Extra special props to Laura for suggesting we spend the day “Kickin’ it with Dippy.” Her idea added a unique and enjoyable twist to Birthday Adventure 2024.