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.