March 3rd – The traditional thing after the bike jumble is to have breakfast at a local cafe, and then drop onto the canals under spaghetti junction, to explore Brum. Today, the sun had come out, and I started by exploring Erdington, a place I’ve always loved. In this one suburb there is a huge amount of splendid architecture, and the streets are peopled by a diverse mix of people of a whole range of races. Still villagey, Erdington has a fantastic atmosphere. Later, I hit the canal to the Jewellery Quarter and central Birmingham. The day was gorgeous and, after the drizzle of the morning, spring was back. Man, I love this place.