I had some time off work, and we decided to do something with some of it.

Last year, we went to Coventry, this year, even closer to home, with Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. In one way, it seems daft to stay overnight so close to home, but the hotel was a good price, so the increment over a taxi was less than you’d think, and the bonus of being able to just walk back is worth noting.

Also, we had a number of targets in mind: a bit of sightseeing, a few pubs, and a new dining experience, so we found ourselves on a train to New Street again, and went in search of our first target:

In what they’re now calling Grand Central, the confusingly laid out resurgence of Birmingham New Street and The Pallasades, “Ozzy” has a new home, after public pressure saved him from being dismantled, and he’s quite a magnificent sight.

Onwards. In previous times, we’d have taken a walk out of town down Livery St, but that’s a bit far at one stretch, and rather convienently, the West Midlands Metro runs from Edgbaston “village” (wankers), through the city calling at BHM before rejoining the original line at Snow Hill, handily passing our hotel near St Pauls, and dropping us on Vyse St by the ornamental pissers.

A short walk took us to The Button Factory for lunch, handily dodging the worst of the rain. Onwards to 1000 Trades for another drink, then a quick weave through the backstreets, emerging near the magnificence of The Gothic.

The Gothic is now apartments, having been refurbished by Cordia Blackswan, and now a much better sight than nearly 10 years ago:

Then, we went to church again, went and checked in to our hotel for a nap.

Then, we had a new dining experience planned. The Blue Nile has been on Great Hampton Row for some time, and we finally got there. It’s Ethiopian cuisine. A new one on me, and the food was delicious and the owner welcoming.

In all, a pleasant day and evening, a comfortable night’s sleep, and a new experience, all pretty close to home.