In this month’s 10 on 10 come join me on a quick little get away to Birmingham – it’s just a 1.5 hour train ride from Stamford. Birmingham is considered the social, cultural, financial and commercial centre of the Midlands and I was today old when I found out that Birmingham is Britain’s second largest city. We’re in town to catch up with some friends and to catch Ocean Colour Scene in concert.
As soon as we arrive, we hot foot it to Morridge which serves fabulous coffee and sensational sandwiches. Sadly we are too early for sandwich o’ clock so we just grab a coffee. I’m quite obsessed with the cafe’s 60’s decor and style – the attention to detail is second to none.
The cafe is at one end of the Great Western Arcade which a grade II listed Victorian shopping arcade. She is giving me all the Melbourne vibes while we look for somewhere nearby to get a bite.
As luck would have it, there is a banh mi place at the other end of the arcade. We haven’t had a banh mi in the 2.5 years since we left Australia and we are so excited by the prospect that we walk there quicker than you can say ‘banh mi’! I am pleased to say the rolls do not disappoint. I’d go back to Birmingham just for another one.
We check in at the Hyatt Birmingham which is really well located. We can actually see the arena for tonight’s gig from our 15th floor window! There’s a glass elevator to and from reception which is pretty cool too, I’m just not quick enough to get a pic.
We take a walk into town and in Victoria Square pass by the artwork The River also affectionately known as The Floosie in the Jacuzzi. The monumental female figure sitting in the upper pool represents the life force. The River is also a fountain and with a flow of 3000 gallons of water per minute is one of the largest in Europe!
We’re a bit thirsty so we head to the award winning cocktail bar The Fox and Chance where we get a warm welcome, a comfy seat and table service. The cocktails here are top notch and the wine list is pleasing so we make ourselves comfortable. David’s Plumdog Millionaire goes down a right treat!
Later we meet our friends Sarah and Tom and grab dinner at Rosa’s Thai (but we are too busy gas bagging to get any pics) and then we take a short walk to Utilita Arena. I really enjoy seeing gigs here because it feels more intimate than some other arenas. We’re here to see Ocean Colour Scene (who come from Birmingham) and by golly, they are good. It feels just like the good old days!
The next morning we head to Grand Central Kitchen for a breakfast of champions and the best of English breakfasts. I have the house omelette and David goes for the full English which definitely leaves him feeling full. LOL! The place is packed but the food is great and the service is lovely.
The shops in Birmingham are fab and I’m a big fan of the enormous Primark there. For my non UK readers, Primark is a very affordable (borderline budget) fashion and accessories store but I only have eyes for their homeware section. My shopping is limited by what I can carry back on the train – a fact that brings David some comfort because I could really do some mischief in here.
Then we head back to the train station where we see Ozzy the Bull – the star of the opening ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games – named after the heavy metal legend and Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne who is originally from Birmingham. He is quite a sight to behold with his moving head, swishing tail and light up eyes. Oh, and he roars too!
Apparently the bull has signified the city’s historical connection to the Bull Ring market where bulls used to be held before slaughter. Now it’s seen as representing pride and the city’s cultural heritage. So there you go!
Have you ever been to Birmingham? Does your hometown have a symbol or a mascot?
