Grand_Anglais

Bah Homburg!

2008-12-07T18:32:00.009Z

This is a statue of the legendary British comedian Tony Hancock which surveys the traffic on the roundabout of Old Square, central Birmingham, linking the upper and lower ends of Corporation Street. I think it's quite an endearing statue with Hancock's trademark Homburg and his cup of tea. Hancock is hardly an heroic figure like a general or a pioneer of industry. But he is regarded with a lot of warmth and affection in the city of his birth, it's essentially his humbleness which is the appeal. And it makes me smile when I see the Chrtistmas tree besides him festooned in all of its lights and twinkling glory. Hancock remains unmoved and hardly bats an eyelid at the ever changing shop front displays enticing in the passers-by in their never-ending, frenzied quest to consume,consume, consume and "shop 'til they drop".
Like Hancock, I tend to let it all pass me by...

Wilkommen In Birmingham

2008-12-07T14:58:00.012Z

Time for a post, after an extended period of illness and having lent my camera to my ex who wanted who wanted to show off photographing the markets in Prague. I say, who needs to go to Prague when you've got the Frankfurt markets in Birmingham - the biggest German markets outside of Germany itself. Apparently. Great Bratwurst and beer. Prost!

How The Other Half Lives

2008-11-14T11:47:00.017Z

Just how big does a house need to be? I guess it depends on how many people live in your family but some of the houses in my neighbourhood are of mansion-like proportions, while others(including yours truly)live in shoeboxes. But I consider myself lucky to be housed at all, given that there is a homeless village just a five minute walk from where I live. I included it in my post Homes For The Homeless two days ago. I’m not having a go at the rich or trying to make a political point, just an observation.

The homeless village.

This is one of many local pubs which have now closed down.

A typical urban housing estate across the road.

View towards the city. The two white tower blocks are familiar landmarks on the Birmingham skyline for the last thirty-seven years, known as the Sentinel Towers, both originally council-house dwellings, now under the control of a housing association. They are both 32-storeys high and are home to many unemployed and low-income families. The tourqouise-tinted tower just behind it is Beetham Tower, home to the upmarket Radisson Hotel and penthouse appartments which sell for up to 1.5 million pounds.

Walking up Wellington Road, away from Bristol Road, the landscape changes, the post-war tower blocks and maisonettes give way to large, detached houses which get bigger and grander the further you walk up the hill. I could swear the air is cleaner too.

This is one of the biggest houses in the road, it certainly has the biggest driveway. Apologies to the owners for violating their privacy, but if you live in a house that big you’ve got to expect to attract attentionEven the pets round here are a cut above your normal moggies or mongrels. Initially aloof, this fancy feline's curiosity eventually got the better of her.

Monochrome Odd Shot

2008-11-12T00:02:00.007Z

The title comes courtesy of Babooshka's Ramsey Daily Photo blog - hope you don't mind me borrowing the concept, even if it is on a Wednesday and not a Monday!

The following photos are of the soon to be demolished Matthew Boulton college, in central Birmingham.

Before they started demolishing it this was a very ugly concrete structure, of which they're are unfortuantely far too may in Birmingham. Now I think it has a certain majesty, a crumbling ruin, somewhat spooky, particularly at night when I must go back and photograph it again.

I studied for my English and French A levels here, back in 1984.

I think maybe they should leave it standing as it is, perhaps fasten some hanging baskets from those empty window frames. I shall miss it when it's gone...

Homes For The Homeless

2008-11-11T17:28:00.014Z

I live in the Edgbaston area of Birmingham. It is a district of striking contrasts, green and leafy with many public parks and some of the grandest houses anywhere in England. These are where the business men, judges and high-fliers live. It also has a very large Asian and West Indian population and these tend to live in concil housing, like myself. It’s a hot issue in the city at the moment.

This is a camp that has been set up on unoccupied land where council housing used to stand. The "squatters" are occupying the land illegally. Like most British cities Birmingham has a shortage of decent, affordable homes in the public sector and this land could be sold to a housing association to develop for just that purpose. However the councillor responsible for housing in the city, John Lines, is refusing, prefering to sell to a potential commercial bidder who will charge higher rents. With 30, 0000 people on the housing waiting list, this is disappointing news. The campsite has been named after the councillor, an obnoxious right winger who has a criminal record for assault and prides himself on his "hard man" image. Shame on the people who voted him into office.

The squatters are moving their base to an as yet undisclosed site somewhere else in the city. They are due to be featured on BBC's "Newsnight" program this Thursday evening, November 11. They are all currently homeless or vulnerably housed. More power to their elbow. I thank them for letting me photograph them and wish them all the best.

http://justicenotcrisis.wordpress.com/

By The Waters Of Leamington

2008-11-09T19:20:00.015Z

I work in the town of Royal Leamington Spa, in Warwickshire, and spend a great deal of my time there. It is a small, attractive town which became famous for its waters in the nineteenth century when people would come to bathe in the the Pump Rooms, which are now preserved as a museum and the local lending library. The town has many fine Regency buildings, usually painted completely white with black doors and black, wrought iron railings. It has nice parks too, notably Jephson gardens and Victoria Park..

My advice is: don't drink the water! It tastes disgusting and it's health-giving properties have never been proved.

Directly across the road from the Pump Rooms are the Jephson Gardens...

The Hitchman Fountain

River Leam

The Mill Bridge

The Parish Church

And this strange sculpture opposite the church...
I still haven't worked out what it's meant to be...

I Hate Shopping - No Bull

2008-11-01T21:24:00.006Z

Attempt to take picture of bronze bull, take 5. No good, someone always getting in the way. Actually I think the toddler in the pushchair adds something to the photo...not sure what though.

People normally take photos of Selfridges from the outside, but it's pretty striking inside too.

I can only enjoy any shopping trip from the slightly surreal perspective of looking at anything but the products on sale...
..except a bull made out of jelly beans(I don't think it's for sale!)

The Waterways Of Birmingham

2008-10-28T16:03:00.019Z

Birmingham’s canals have been at the centrepiece of the city’s renaissance over the last ten to fifteen years. A lot of money has been spent cleaning up the towpaths and making them accessible to visitors. Old warehouses have been converted into loft appartments, standing side by side with new developments like these in Sherborne Wharf. It is essentially a boat maintenance yard, servicing the many barges that have permanent moorings here or those that pass through the city, in need of refuelling as they navigate the inland waterways of central England.

A short walk from here leads to Brindley Place, which is teeming with bars and restaurants.

Walk through the tunnel and emerge in Gas Street Basin, and one of the best watering holes in Birmingham.

A short walk alomg the towpath brings you to the Mailbox development, so called beacause it used to be a huge Royal Mail sorting office. Now it's home to fashionable bars and restaurants and a very up-market shopping centre featuring Harvey Nicholls and many designer boutiques way out of most peoples' price league. The BBC also operates its Midlands base out of here, operating on just two floors, tiny compared to its former Pebble Mill base which has now been demolished.

It does look pretty...

A Walk In The Park

2008-10-26T20:00:00.020Z

This is my local park, Cannon Hill in Birmingham. It's a lovely place for a walk at anytime of year, but especially in autumn. Let's go for a walk...

Watch out for puddles...

Ponder the leaves underfoot...

And those still hanging to the trees...

Deserted bandstand .

Boer War Memorial.

A few morcels for my feathered friends before I leave...
These canada geese don't take no for an answer... Final Impressions...

Morning Breaks Over Birmingham

2008-10-25T08:13:00.004+01:00

I awoke this morning to to find the most beautiful sunrise...tired as I was I grabbed my camera and went downstairs to take a picture of it. Voila...

Pub Crawl - The Final Leg - Bull Ring and Digbeth

2008-10-24T06:43:00.007+01:00

A snapshot of the Birmingham skyline which reveals the changing nature of the city over the years. To the left of the picture the 1960's Rotunda building towering over the new Bull Ring shopping centre. In the centre St Martins church which has been beautifully restored, contrasting sharply with Selfridges just behind it. In the foreground, Birmingham open markets which date back to the 13th century, if I've done my reserach right.
Lord Nelson's statue, the Bull Ring complex. After taking the photo I felt a pang of conscience and picked up the wreath on the left which had been blown over due to very strong winds. It was heavy! The statue also serves as a war memorial, hence the flowers.
Ok, no more Selfridges shots, I realise it's becoming Birmingham's Eiffel Tower, or Big Ben, no one ever takes pictures of anything else. I wasn't sure when I saw the original designs but i must say I do think it is a spectacular building, especially when the thousands of silver discs catch the sun's rays, you can see it shimmering from miles away like a beacon. And I love the way it contrasts with St Martins church and the old Birmingham - they compliment eachother rather than clash. But I didn't even take a picture of the bull! That's for another post...
And so to Digbeth, dusty, dirty, noisy Digbeth. The white building is the police station. There are lots of pubs around here, and they're all Irish. No bad thing.
The flash went after this photo and my battery died...

More Pubs

2008-10-23T19:14:00.009+01:00

This is the Old Fox in Birmingham City Centre. It is a very famous old pub which stands opposite
the Hippodrome Theatre. Laurel and Hardy and Charlie Chaplin were among some of the famous people who supped an ale or two inbetween performances. The Green Room is the bar next door and highlights the difference to me between a bar and a good old fashioned pub. It looks nice in there but I've never been in because it looks too posh. I'm much more at home in the Fox.

Both these fine establishments are located on Hurst Street, which is simultaneously Birminghams Chinese Quarter and Gay Village! I am neither Chinese nor gay but I like the eclectic feel of the place. And if only you could smell the food, your mouth would be watering...

Also on Hurst Street, the National Trust have restored Birmingham's only surviving back-to-back houses and made them a museum attraction with period shopfronts such as these. And they sell wonderful old fashioned sweets.

Walking In Moseley

2008-10-23T14:17:00.009+01:00

Moseley is leafy and green, it even has its own private park. I wish this was my house...

The sun shines on the righteous...I tried to walk the beer off...

Nearing home, the city skyline emerges, the houses become smaller, the streets narrower...

I wandered lonely as a cloud...

The Prince Of Wales

2008-10-23T13:21:00.003+01:00

Another of my favourites, a stones throw from the Fighting Cocks, more poular with the older drinker. It even has a seating area outside. However the landlady was a little suspicious of my photo-taking, I told her I was just a blogger but she looked at me like I had just dropped from Mars!

Why are you taking a picture of a Moose's head?

Because it's there...

Moseley

2008-10-23T12:10:00.011+01:00

Just a couple of miles down the road, Moseley, Birmingham's "bohemian" quarter - I mean it's very arty. This pub in years gone by had a somewehat dubious reputation(all sorts of "transactions" used to take place in the toilets. Now it's a lot more upmarket(as are the prices)and very tastefully decorated. Another gem with a great selection of beers.
It even has a sweet shop! And some very interesting beers...
Sit and savour the surroundings...

"Time Gentlemen, Please"

This sign was was most heplful...

Hare And Hounds, Kings Heath

2008-10-22T12:02:00.006+01:00

Birmingham has some great pubs, so what better excuse but to honour them by photographing them? You know I suffer for my art! This Is the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath, south Birmingham. It's been modernised slightly with a trendy and expensive menu. But it's still very much a traditional English boozer with some wonderful Victoriana.

Which Way Home?

2008-10-19T19:05:00.002+01:00

Clifftop Embrace

2008-10-19T18:58:00.002+01:00

On The Road, Co. Cork

2008-10-19T18:47:00.003+01:00

Razor Shell, Inchydoney

2008-10-18T12:59:00.002+01:00

Inchdoney Beack, Co. Cork

2008-10-18T12:55:00.000+01:00

A beautiful beach, if not always beautiful weather...

Cute Animal Pic

2008-10-18T12:11:00.006+01:00

This seal is very friendly and comes up to all the boats in the harbour hoping for some tasty morcels to be thrown its way.

Refreshed

2008-10-18T11:57:00.000+01:00

Climb Every Mountain

2008-10-18T11:55:00.000+01:00

Wild West

2008-10-18T11:48:00.001+01:00

Uprooted

2008-10-18T00:19:00.001+01:00

Killarney National Park

2008-10-18T00:07:00.000+01:00

Torc Waterfall, Killarney

2008-10-18T00:03:00.000+01:00

Pebbledash, Killarney Shores

2008-10-17T23:56:00.000+01:00

Sunset, Leap, County Cork

2008-10-17T23:51:00.000+01:00

Sometimes all you've got to do is point and push a button...and you've got an object of beauty. Took this from sister's garden one late August evening this year.

Cork Kerry Mountains

2008-10-17T19:11:00.001+01:00

I hope I did them justice...

Ginger Root

2008-10-17T18:56:00.000+01:00

Apparently this is the oldest tree in Killarney National Park. But don't quote me on that.

Back To My Roots

2008-10-16T22:39:00.002+01:00

Despite my Blogger name, I can trace most of my ancestry to south west Ireland, County Cork and County Kerry, where this photo was taken in Killarney National Park. It was my first time in this corner of Ireland and I really did feel a spiritual connection there. I am not the most well travelled person in the world but I think I'd have to go a long way to find any place more beautiful on this earth.

"Nantes" by Beirut(!)

2008-10-16T13:59:00.001+01:00

Bienvenu Chez Les Voisins

2008-10-16T07:44:00.000+01:00

Welcome sign on the junk man's front door...

Mobile Library, Nantes

2008-10-16T07:43:00.000+01:00

Owned by the same man with the junk yard. Which is worth more, the books or the car?

Junk Yard, Nantes

2008-10-16T07:41:00.000+01:00

This is actually someone's front yard...somehow the owner manges to eke out a living selling some of this stuff.

Elegant Nantes

2008-10-16T07:37:00.000+01:00

Opening Hours, Nantes

2008-10-16T07:36:00.000+01:00

They love their lunch in France!!

Passage Pommeraye, Nantes

2008-10-16T07:14:00.000+01:00

Back Streets of Nantes - Thirsty Work

2008-10-15T23:48:00.000+01:00

Au Coin De La Rue, Nantes

2008-10-15T23:43:00.000+01:00

John Mcbyrne Bar, Nantes

2008-10-14T23:37:00.000+01:00

A genuine Irish bar...except that it's in Nantes. Genuine in that it is actually run by an Irishman, who happens to be teetotal...how weird is that???

Molly Malones, Nantes

2008-10-14T23:32:00.000+01:00

Plastic Paddy culture gets everywhere. Note the leprechaun perched on the shelf.

Bouffay, Nantes

2008-10-14T22:46:00.000+01:00

Neighbour Of The Doomed

2008-10-14T20:14:00.000+01:00

Doomed Soul

2008-10-14T18:38:00.000+01:00

Every picture tells a story...Can't remember the name of the building but this figure sits somewhere in a tower in the medieval quarter of Nantes.

Alleyway, Nantes

2008-10-13T11:00:00.000+01:00

Express Yourself, Lieu Unique, Nantes

2008-10-13T10:59:00.000+01:00

Musical Angel, Lieu Unique, nantes

2008-10-13T10:57:00.000+01:00

Trumpet Tower, Nantes

2008-10-13T10:53:00.000+01:00

River Erdre, Nantes

2008-10-13T10:51:00.000+01:00

Lieu Unique, Nantes

2008-10-13T10:50:00.000+01:00

Nantes, Walled Garden

2008-10-12T22:53:00.000+01:00

Cathederal Approach, Nantes

2008-10-12T22:47:00.000+01:00

Rue Henri IV, Nantes

2008-10-12T22:46:00.000+01:00

Castle Moat, Nantes

2008-10-12T22:39:00.000+01:00

The Castle, nantes

2008-10-12T22:38:00.000+01:00

Nantes Cathederal

2008-10-12T22:36:00.000+01:00

I miss Nantes, it's like a scaled-down Paris with graceful buildings, three majestic rivers and many beautiful streets and alleys. But the people are a lot friendlier than they are in Paris and the pace nowhere near as frenetic.
A Bientot Nantes.

Somewhere Over A Field In Warwickshire

2008-10-12T22:26:00.000+01:00

I could dream my life away watching clouds...

Birmingham - Worcester Canal

2008-10-12T21:12:00.000+01:00

Peace and tranquility in the heart of the city.

Barges, Gas Street Basin

2008-10-12T13:37:00.001+01:00

I want to live on a barge!

Gas Street Basin, Central Birmingham

2008-10-12T13:35:00.001+01:00

Gas Street Basin looking toward Brindley Place. Birmingham has more miles of canal than Venice the tourist board never tires of telling visitors. This statement makes me cringe. But they are beautiful, in a very different way.

Last One!

2008-10-11T23:20:00.000+01:00

Brandwood Again

2008-10-11T23:19:00.000+01:00

Back To The Cemetery

2008-10-11T23:17:00.000+01:00

Vision In The Cemetery

2008-10-11T20:30:00.000+01:00

Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham

2008-10-11T20:23:00.000+01:00

I always feel sad when the summer's over but I don't think there's a more beautiful season than autumn...can already feel the leaves rustling beneath my feet!

Brandwood End Cemetery, Birmingham

2008-10-11T20:19:00.000+01:00

Some absolutely beautiful gravestones here, works of art in themselves.

St Peters Cemetery, Harborne, Birmingham

2008-10-11T16:08:00.000+01:00

Yes I know I'm weird, I like cemeteries - but only in the daylight!

Phone Boxes, Victoria Square

2008-10-11T16:07:00.002+01:00

These things are historical monuments now

Phone Boxes, Victoria Square

2008-10-11T16:07:00.001+01:00

These things are historical monuments now

Vertigo Selfridges

2008-10-11T16:04:00.000+01:00

Methodist Hall, Central Birmingham

2008-10-11T16:03:00.000+01:00

Birmingham Cathederal

2008-10-11T16:02:00.000+01:00

Small but perfectly formed

Birmingham Skyline

2008-10-11T16:00:00.000+01:00

Old Law Courts, Birmingham

2008-10-11T15:58:00.000+01:00

Man On Steps

2008-10-10T18:49:00.000+01:00

An intriguing staue, I don't remember the name. It's on the steps leading to the fountain, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham.

Clock Tower, Birmingham University

2008-10-10T18:40:00.000+01:00

Clock Tower, Bournville, Birmingham

2008-10-10T18:38:00.000+01:00

Bournville is a very attractive suburb of Birmingham which to this day is still run by Quakers. It is most famous for it's chocolate factory Cadburys founded by George Cadbury, himself a Quaker. Thanks to him there are no pubs in Bournville and no shops are even permitted to sell it. It's about a mile to nearest watering hole!

More Liquid Assets

2008-10-10T18:04:00.001+01:00

Pubs are closing at the rate of 35 a week in England. However may former banks are now being converted into upmarket bars...so I guess the credit crunch has some advantages!

Coffee Shop

2008-10-10T17:37:00.001+01:00

Selfridges, Birmingham

2008-10-10T17:10:00.000+01:00

This is where I catch my spaceship...

Coucil House, Birmingham

2008-10-10T13:34:00.000+01:00

Ain't It Grand?

Three Wise Men???

2008-10-10T00:28:00.000+01:00

Birmingham Law Courts

Fratellis Billboard Corporation Street, Birmingham

2008-10-10T00:25:00.000+01:00

"So If You're Lonely..."

Town Hall, Birmingham

2008-10-09T11:42:00.000+01:00

Recently restored, one of Birmingham's most famous buildings.

Liquid Assets

2008-10-09T11:12:00.000+01:00

The Cat That Got My Chair!

2008-10-09T11:11:00.000+01:00

Iron Man, Frail Lady

2008-10-09T11:07:00.002+01:00

Love Among The Hobos

2008-10-09T10:18:00.000+01:00

Wet Reflections

2008-10-09T10:17:00.000+01:00

The River, Victoria Square, Birmingham (Dhurva Mistry)

2008-09-22T16:29:00.001+01:00

Renamed "The Floozie In The Jacuzzi" by the locals in Birmingham.

Welcome To Birmingham, Mary Poppins

2008-09-22T16:18:00.001+01:00

Bienvenue a Birmingham, Mary Poppins

Pint

2008-07-31T12:25:00.001+01:00

Half empty or half full?

Iron Man, Rear View

2008-07-30T09:21:00.000+01:00

Iron Man, Birmingham

2008-07-30T09:20:00.001+01:00

(L'homme En Fer???)

I love this statue but not everybody in Birmingham shares my opinion. What I like about it is it is so obviously misplaced in its Victorian surroundings, yet it somehow lends a greater harmony to them by being so incongrous. It's by the noted English sulptor Antony Gormley, who produced the famous Angel Of The North, in Gateshead.

I find it moving.

Statue, Nantes

2008-07-22T23:39:00.001+01:00

Found this on a semi-drunken jaunt around the Bouffay quarter

Duchesse Anne

2008-07-20T13:50:00.000+01:00

A lady can get herself a reputation hanging around the street like that, even a Duchess...

2008-07-20T10:54:00.000+01:00

It's interesting how many vegetables resemble the male phallus, and it is a subject of much amusement to the English. However on a trip to Paris last year I found these amazing courgettes in a supermarket, the like of which I had never seen in the UK before. Now a couple of them in your hands looks like a...well I'll leave it to your imagination. I mean look at the size of those nipples!

Lolos Verts!