Birmingham.

The UK’s motor city.

A visit to Symphony Hall to see The Pretenders. A marvelous evening. The band was in great form.

Birmingham is a fascinating city to visit. Of course, it was at the hub of the industrial revolution and you don’t have to look very hard to find evidence of its manufacturing heritage.

A great way to explore Birmingham is to follow the miles of canal towpaths that slice through the city. You can start your journey from Gas Street Basin, smack in the middle of town. There are lots of routes to follow and within a few minutes you will have left the bustle of the bars and the business districts and be strolling through peaceful countryside.

However, wherever you are, there will be a piece of social history to notice and investigate. It might be a neglected factory, a wonderful pub, a chapel, a boatyard or a spectacular bridge that crosses the waterway.

The Jewellery Quarter has an abundance of Victorian and early 20th century buildings devoted to the manufacture of jewellery and similar small goods. There are still many shops and businesses in the area. I noticed the factory of Thomas Fattorini Ltd, a company well known for the manufacture of famous sporting trophies, including the original F.A. Cup.

If you do visit, make time to relax in the grounds of St. Paul’s church, a wonderful place to relax and to appreciate the local history. A wonderful place to have a lunch.