Exploring Birmingham City Centre

As hinted yesterday, we opted to stay put today. Not only did we want to visit the shops but also a high wind was forecast which would have made travelling back along the Main Line both difficult and uncomfortable. As it was, walking against the wind ws rather tiring and we were almost blown off our feet at times.

We had a slow start - partly because a loads of washing was needed and that requires us to stay with it and run the engine for power. Hence it was mid morning before we set out.

Christine had spotted that a lunch time concert is to be held today at 12 in the new Library of Birmingham, given by a Brass Ensemble from the Birmingham Conservatoire. We headed there first to check out the information - it was correct - and also whereabouts in the building it was to be held. It had been planned to be in the amphitheatre but with the small BeatBox room if the weather was inclement. Today it was definitely not a day to sit outside! But because the group playing was larger than the usual chamber music groups (there were 11 of them, and they make quite a sound) the concert was, instead, transferred to the Story Steps.

The library opened in 2013, replacing the former Central Library, famously styled in the brutalist school of architecture. It opened in 1974 and was demolished as soon as the new building was opened. There is a substantial redevelopment of the square which is already surrounded by a number of significant, mostly cultural, buildings.

The Story Steps are accessed as part of the Children's Library on the Lower Ground floor although the space is open to the central atrium - looking from the entrance foyer immediately captures attention to the modern design.

After confirming where and when there was not really enough time to go to Argos (as we had planned) so we adjourned to the Library Cafe for coffee and then took the lift to the ninth floor and the observation area where we had a good view of the city centre - but only in one direction. Below we could see the development works that include a new rapid transit line.

Then it was time to find a seat for the concert. Although the concert was not especially aimed at children, because of where it was held (and helped by being free!) there were quite a number of very young children with parents, even if our photos do not show them.

The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is part of Birmingham City University and its music students achieve a very high standard that enables many of them to go on to perform at an international level. Concerts such as this one provide important opportunities for them to hone their performing skills.

At midday the concert began and was a mixture of light popular, popular classical and pieces specially written for brass bands, including some test works. It was a good range and mixture and was very well received by the audience (including ourselves) An arrangement of Elgar's Nimrod Variation and the encore item were particularly well played.

After the concert we returned to the boat for lunch before setting off once more into the city centre. We began the afternoon at the cathedral. St Philip's was originally a parish church, built in he early 18th  century. When the diocese of Birmingham was create in 1905, the church was designated its cathedral.

The aspect of the building that, from the inside, immediately captures attention are the three stained glass windows at the East End. They are the work of Edward Burne-Jones who, along with his close friend William Morris, was responsible for inspiring a new generation of decorative works and the Pre-Raphaelite movement. Burne-Jones was born nearby and was baptised in the church.

He was later commissioned to add a fourth window at the West End in memory of Rev Henry Bowlby, at one time Rector of the church and later suffragan Bishop of Coventry.

From there we walked down to Argos , not far away, where Christine successfully bought the replacement hair drier she was seeking. Fortunately the item she had identified in her online search last night was still in stock - but only just!

We opted to return to the boat via St John's Church in the Jewellery Quarter. The entailed walking back to the cathedral and then continuing over a footbridge (high above the cars the wind was fairly intimidating!) across a busy dual carriageway an over the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. Alas, the church was closed - it only opens for a short time a few days each week.

The church is on the edge of the Jewellery Quarter and although we had not really seen much to show for that industry we headed back as the wind was making walking even harder. We did, however, spit the imposing Assay Office.

We found our way to the canal - some of the access points shown on street maps were blocked off. The area was once very industrial but is now occupied by large numbers of apartment blocks which seem to spring up as soon as one's back is turned.

We eventually made it onto the canal towpath at the fourth lock down the Farmer's Bridge locks. Although the top of the flight is not far from the boat we had a bit of a further diversion to Sainsbury before finally getting back inside and away from wind and rain.