The journey begins here

Home. That place where the heart is said to be. But also the essential starting point, from which any journey of pilgrimage must begin.

My home for more than half my life has been here in Coventry, the wonderful city of peace and reconciliation. Coventry’s rich and fascinating story includes prominence as a city built on the textile trade in the Middle Ages, brief periods as the capital of England and the seat of parliament in the 15th century, before the skills of nimble-fingered ribbon workers in the 18th century were passed first to the watch and clock makers, and then successively to the makers of sewing machines, bicycles and ultimately motor cars and aeroplanes.

Much maligned, and often misunderstood, Coventry is however best known for being a place to which you could be sent involuntarily in the 17th century, or for being a place where a brutalist concrete-loving regime made good use of a city centre largely flattened by the efforts of the Luftwaffe in 1940 and 1941. Or perhaps you might know about one or other of our 3 cathedrals?

More than all that, Coventry has been my home for nearly 3 decades and it’s somewhere I’ve come to love. It’s where I’ve put down roots and have brought up my family. A place where I’ve found welcome, hope, and purpose, as well as many dear friends over the years.

And tomorrow morning, my journey towards Santiago begins right here.

Let’s go! Ultreia!Read more