To Birmingham

Tigger has today (Tuesday) off work and we are spending it on an out-of-town trip. Yesterday evening, Tigger bought train tickets online, for our destination, Birmingham.

Aboard the 205

This morning, we left home at about 8 am and caught a number 205 bus. The problem with travelling on weekdays, especially in the early morning, is that the buses are crowded. We managed to find seats upstairs.

Euston Station

The bus brought us to Euston Station. We went to the upper level (from where the photo was taken) to have breakfast before boarding our train.

Leon through the mirror

We went to Leon where I took the above photo in the mirror. Everywhere is crowded but people are used to this and are mostly good-humoured.

Aboard the 9:46

In order to have the cheapest tickets, we have to take the 9:46 train for Crewe and change at Rugby. The return journey, though, will be direct. At Euston, the platform for your train is announced only a few minutes before departure time, causing a rush to board.

We’re off!

Despite the rush, the train’s departure was slightly delayed but then we were off, travelling through the suburbs, hoping we won’t miss our connection at Rugby.

Waiting for the train at Rugby

We made up for missed time and reached Rugby in plenty of time for our Birmingham train.

Giraffe

On arriving at Birmingham New Street, even though it was not quite midday, we decided to have an early lunch before going further. There are a number of food outlets on the station’s upper level and we eventually chose Giraffe.

Birmingham New Street Station

After lunch, we left the station with its massive reflective metal lintel.

Town Hall

We walked past the Classical-style town hall.

Iron: Man
Anthony Gormley

Beside it stands one of Anthony Gormley’s metal figures. This one is entitled Iron: Man.

Memorial to Joseph Chamberlain and Clock Tower of the Museum and Art Gallery

We passed in front of the Memorial to Joseph Chamberlain and the Museum and Art Gallery with its fine clock tower and…

Hall of Memory

…arrived beside the Hall of Memory. What we had come to see was nearby.

A Real Birmingham Family (2014)
Gillian Wearing

On the way, we photographed this refreshingly realistic piece of sculpture by Gillian Wearing, entitled A Real Birmingham Family.

Library of Birmingham

What we had come to see was the Library of Birmingham a magnificent example of what a public library could be but one that is unlikely to be emulated in the cost-cutting era we are currently living through. It was opened in September 2013 and we have already visited it several times.

Library interior
Vertical scan by Tigger

The open plan design means that you can see the whole central light well, containing the escalators, from any floor. That doesn’t make it easy to photograph, however, and trying to capture it as you brain pictures it is rather frustrating. According to the indicators in the lifts, there are 9 floors, including basements which I think are accessible by staff only.

Roof-top garden

We went up to the top floor where there is a roof-top garden. In fine weather, it must be pleasant to sit out here.

Distant views

From the garden there are magnificent views or, rather, views that would be magnificent in better weather conditions.

Tiny as seen from the roof

The Hall of Memory looks tiny from up here.

Boulton, Watt and Murdock

Returning to the streets, we paused to view this unusual golden sculpture. Unveiled in 1956, Boulton, Watt and Murdoch was created by William Bloye and Raymond Forbes-Kings. The locals refer to it somewhat irreverently as “The Carpet Salesmen”.

Java Roastery

We stopped off for coffee and croissants at a coffee bar called Java Roastery. (Yes, I know we had had lunch, but that was a while ago and we can always find room for a nice, fresh croissant!)

Cathedral Church of St Philip

We passed the Cathedral, dedicated to St Philip, but didn’t go in this time. We had visited it on previous occasions.

Great Western Arcade

We walked through this fine Victorian shopping centre (built 1875-6) called Great Western Arcade owing to its use of a cutting made for the Great Western Railway.

Arcade clock
Photo by Tigger

The arcade has a clock but it is unfortunately not working.

From here, we started working our way back to Birmingham New Street Station. On arrival at the station, we saw from the departures board that a train for Euston would depart from Platform 4 in a few minutes. There was no time to hesitate, stare about or take photos: just time to dash for the train!

Aboard the Euston train

We made it in time. The train was fairly full but we found two vacant seats together that were not reserved.

Aboard the 73

Arriving at Euston, we joined the crowd at the bus stop. When the bus came there was a scramble to board but, once again, luck was with us and we found a pair of seats. We settled into them for the ride home.

To St James’s Park

It is another cold, cold day made worse by a chill wind. Despite wearing gloves, I find my finger tips becoming numb. Best not grumble, though, because, come the summer, we’ll be complaining of the heat!

In Sainsbury’s

We paid our customary visit to Sainsbury’s this morning. There have been reports in the media of shortages and of some stores rationing fruit though we were able to find everything we needed.

Signs of spring
Photo by Tigger

We went out again after lunch, braving the cold. I was pleased to see signs of spring here and there. These sweet little blooms were in a front garden by the main road.

St Mark’s and flowers
Photo by Tigger

Walking through Myddelton Square, we saw more blooms, first beside the church and…

Daffodills

Primroses
Photo by Tigger

…then in the square’s central garden.

Myddelton Passage

Walking through Myddelton Passage we were pleased to see that the builders’ scaffolding that has been covering the houses for several months had now been almost completely removed, returning the street to its normal appearance.

Sadler’s Wells and Rosebery Avenue

We crossed Rosebery Avenue whose trees are still bare from winter.

Spa Green

We entered the garden of Spa Green where…

Red berries
Photo by Tigger

…along with berries suggestive of autumn…

Flower
Photo by Tigger

…there were flowers promising spring.

Victory with pigeons

On the war memorial, Victory was accompanied by her usual cohort of pigeons.

Caffè Nero

In Exmouth Market, we made a pause at Caffè Nero.

Aboard the 19

After our coffee break we caught a number 19 bus.

Piccadilly

The 19 deposited us in Piccadilly.

Sculptures

We walked down St James’s Street and, in front of an apartment block, spied this pair of sculptures. There were no information panels so artist and titles are unknown. Make of them what you will.

St James’s Palace

Further down the road we came to St James’s Palace, a property of the monarch, first built in the 16th century but much rebuilt in the 19th, after serious fire damage.

Entering St James’s Park

We went into St James’s Park, one of the royal parks.

The lake

The park contains a large lake which is frequented by many species of water fowl from geese, ducks and coots to black-headed gulls.

Anything for me?
Photo by Tigger

This greylag goose approached us hoping for a gift of food. Unfortunately, we had nothing to contribute.

Westminster and Big Ben

Walking on, we came to Westminster and within sight of a famous landmark.

Parliament Street/Whitehall

We turned into a certain broad thoroughfare that Is known as Whitehall though in fact I think this lower section is called Parliament Street. Here we waited for a bus.

Aboard the 453

We boarded a 453 bus to start our journey home. It was a relief to be out of the cold which, for me at least, spoilt the outing.

Holles Street/Cavendish Square

We left the 453 near Oxford Circus and walked to Cavendish Square. Leading off that square is Holles Street where the 73 buses have their terminus. There was already a 73 on the stand but we had to wait while the driver had her rest period.

Aboard the 73

The 73 eventually opened it doors and allowed us to go aboard. Then we sped off heading for a certain district dear to my heart.

The stop in Baron Street

The 73 ferried us safely to the Angel and dropped us in Baron Street, a short walk from home, bringing today’s jaunt to an end. It was good to return home and to a warm interior!

Noodles in Lewisham

We were meeting friends today whom we had not seen since before the Covid pandemic.

Myddelton Square

We set out bright and early (well, early for us…), passing through Myddelton Square. The weather was dry but cold and, as you know, I hate the cold!

Aboard the 205

We caught a number 205 bus which would take us to St Pancras Station where we intended to take a train to our destination. It turned out that those trains were not running today. Why? No idea…

E L & N

As Tigger had not had breakfast (and I didn’t mind having a second one!), we called in at E L & N for coffee and croissants.

Midland Road

Afterwards, we went out into Midland Road to catch a number 214 bus.

Aboard the 214

This bus took us to Old Street where we transferred to a 21.

Lewisham Shopping Centre

The 21 brought us on a longish journey south of the Thames to Lewisham and its shopping centre where we were meeting our friends.

Costa Coffee

We met up in Costa Coffee and spent quite some time there, chatting and catching up.

Hanging cups

This branch of Costa has an unusual decoration: cups of all sizes hanging from a light fitting.

Exhibit, Migration Museum

On the way out, we came upon the Migration Museum and went in. It is quite a large space with many departments on the theme of people who have come to Britain from abroad, settled here and made a contribution to their new homeland.

Chopstix Noodle Bar

For lunch, at our friends’ suggestion, we went to Chopstix Noodle Bar in the shopping centre.

Lunch in a box
Photo by Tigger

You choose your items (a small number are vegetarian) at the counter and these are served in a box. You can take this away or eat from it at one of their tables. This is not the worst meal I have ever eaten but it was also far from the best.

The Market

Outside the shopping centre, a large market was in progress. It might have been interesting to explore it but we did not do so today. Another time, perhaps.

The River Quaggy

The River Quaggy runs through Lewisham. It’s quite narrow here where I photographed it but may be more impressive in other sections.

London Shivan Kovil

In the street where I photographed the river (Clarendon Rise) stands a Hindu Temple, London Shivan Kovil, dedicated to the god Shiva whose image appears on a wall.

Lee High Road

We went for a walk along this busy shopping street called Lee High Road.

Large Police Station

We passed in front of this police station, one of the largest I have seen. We were told that it includes stables for police horses though these were not visible from the street.

Church of St Stephen

I could not help noticing the contrast between this traditional, human-sized, church and…

Oversized modern buildings

…these oversized modern buildings that turn the environment, in my eyes at least, into something more akin to a nightmare. London used to have a height limit for buildings and its rescinding has had dire but foreseeable results.

Aboard the P4

We saw our friends to their bus and we then caught a single-deck P4, heading for Brixton.

Horniman Museum

We did not go to Brixton, however, but stopped off at the Horniman Museum. We did not visit the museum today – though it is certainly worth visiting.

Museum cafe

We went to the museum cafe and, despite it being busy, managed to find a table. We had tea before starting on the next stage of our journey.

Aboard the 185

We now caught a 185 bus which carried us across the Thames into more familiar territory.

Victoria Station

The bus deposited us at Victoria Station where we found a number 38 bus ready to depart.

Evening sunshine at the Angel

The 38 delivered us safely to our home neighbourhood at the Angel crossroads. The sun was shining but it was still cold. I was glad to go indoors into the warm with a relaxed evening in view.

(PS – Have fun looking for the misprints!)