July 4th – In Birmingham in the early sunny evening. The city was at ease with itself. In the warmth, folk milled around languidly, and many hung out on the grass in the grounds of St. Philip’s Cathedral, affectionately know as ‘pigeon park’ to kids or a certain generation. People sunbathed, read, chatted and just relaxed.
I love seeing the city like this.
January 31st – Evening, Birmingham. It’s about a quarter past five, and the city is sliding gracefully into darkness at the end of another working day. I was here to see the lights come on, in and around Colmore Row and the Cathedral, the grounds of which are affectionately known as ‘Pigeon Park’.
People slag Birmingham off continually. It’s beautiful, if you open your eyes. This could almost be Belgravia.
My city, my past, present and future. How I adore it.
October 27th – A run out to Lichfield to pick up some shopping… oddly, the city held everything I wanted; more often than not these days, the place disappoints. What’s never a let-down is the scenery, although it’s riddled with photographic cliches. The Old Lady of the Vale has been photographed from every angle possible, as has much of Lichfield. I do love the view over the Garden of Remembrance, though. Beacon Park is looking nice, too, but I have to admit, for sheer autumnal beauty, Walsall Arboretum trumps it.
After that admission, I expect the border guards to refuse me admission on my next trip…
June 9th – I never tire of the view from the canal at Newtown, near Brownhills. Overlooking the rolling countrysde towards Hammerwich, the church and windmill there are not the only landmarks visible. If you stand in just the right spot, on a clear day, you can see the 3 spires of Lichfield Cathedral visible through the Crane Brook valley. Right now, it’s green and verdant; but this is a great view in all four seasons, constantly changing in character. One of the great unknown gems of Brownhills.
May 25th – Nipping down to the chip shop in Stonnall for a Friday treat, I took a loot at the early summer view towards Lichfield from Shire Oak. Beautiful as ever, the change in foliage and colours perfectly complimenting the elegant spires of the Old Lady of the Vale. I adore this view, and could study it for hours on end.
Christmas Eve – I dropped down into the city, not as a shopper, but as an observer. It was quite deserted at 5pm, nothing much was going on except the clearance of the market stalls. The sound of cathedral bells rang out and I was aware of a casual drift towards the close by those around me. I always feel odd at this time on Christmas Eve; it’s all over bar the shouting, and commercially at least, Christmas is over. Peace and best wishes to all those reading this, may Christmas bring you all you desire. See you on the other side…
June 13th – out early to Lichfield, the rain of the previous 24 hours had only just ceased, and the roads and rooftops of Lichfield were still glistening. The weak sunlight caught them as I cycled down Pipehill and rendered them precious.
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