Thought for Thursday - Birmingham How I Love Thee!

We recently travelled up to Birmingham for a work reunion and it was the first time I'd been back for several years. So I thought I'd document our lightening 24 hours in Brum!

We travelled up from Oxford by National Express coach which was an interesting experience. The collection of the tickets was a little fraught (OK I had a bit of a melt down!) but as the coach was running late it didn't turn out to be too traumatic. We had to sit right at the back of the coach, bringing back memories of school trips. The couple who were sprawled across the back seat weren't too chuffed at having to move but that wasn't our problem. They did have an interesting way of travelling, constantly shifting about in their seats, her on his lap, both draped across each other or wrapped up like Siamese twins. At one stage he was feeding her orange juice as if she were a child - I did wonder if she was ill but I think they were just trying to sleep. All this caused some eye rolling but as the journey wasn't too long it didn't prove to be much of an inconvenience.

We walked through the city centre and found our way to our hotel. We stayed at the Ibis Hotel on Lionel Street which was just around the comer from the bar where we were to meet our old colleagues  so that was a bonus. Our room was comfortable and perfect for an overnight stay.

There was even a complimentary chocolate on the bed - but being Brum it was a mini Chomp bar rather than a posh truffle!

The shower could have been more powerful but it was adequate for one night. I guess I've been spoiled by the wonderful power showers at the gym so I do notice a trickles of less powerful showers.

It took me ages to realise that the pattern on the walls was the outside of the Selfridges building in the Bull Ring!

We ate at Fleet Street Kitchen on Summer Row. It was really nice although I'm still not sure about these open restaurants where you can see through to the kitchens - I did spend far too long watching the chef grill steaks! I had a mushroom and halloumi burger which was lush. I do wish they'd dried the lettuce more as after a few bites the bun started to go soggy. Chips in a bucket of course!

Dessert was ice cream - two scoops of caramel and one of chocolate. I though the caramel was lovely but when I got to the chocolate I was purring - it was rich and creamy, simply  the best chocolate ice cream I've ever had! More please ...

I had to include some shots of the new library. It was the first time I'd seen it and it is certainly a stunning piece of architecture. I still have a soft spot for the old library - you can't beat a bit of Brutalism in my view!

It is rather sad to see it unused - I spent  many happy hours pouring over books there - and a few not so happy doing revision!

I love the serene expression on this statue's face. She sits at the bottom of the steps leading from Chamberlain Square to the top of New Street. Basking in the warm sunshine, just the way to spend a Sunday in Brum!

I had to include the Floozy in the Jacuzzi - even if they have turned off her bath and planted flowers!

I squealed with delight when I saw this shop - AVFC on New Street! Sadly it was closed and we had no time to spare so I wasn't able to pop in and buy anything - rather fancied a new season shirt...

These owls are dotted around the city. This is something I've seen in other cities and they're all individually decorated. I don't know who this one is designed by but I'm proud of the artistic road works I've captured in the background! Mental note to self: framing is important in photographs.

As we headed back to Digbeth to catch the coach home I looked back at the city and was fascinated by this shot of the old and new together - St Martin's and Selfridges. Rather sums up Birmingham - a fusion of old and new, always looking forward and innovating.

Book Review - Room by Emma Donoghue

I'm a bit late coming to this novel. I remember hearing about it several years ago but it was only recently that my sister sent me her old copy which I popped into my case for holiday reading.

This novel is told from the point of view of Jack, a five year old boy who lives in Room with Ma. He is a happy child, content to do his chores with Ma ( washing the clothes, watering the plant) and watching TV. He names all the things in Room such as Plant, Rug and Skylight. He is intelligent and caring, looking after Ma when she is 'Gone'. But there is something disturbing about Jack's world. He has to hide in the wardrobe when Old Nick visits and there is an electronic keypad at the door.

I was charmed by Jack right from the first paragraph. He is a delightful narrator and you are drawn into his little world. Ma is a caring mother who is doing the best for her son under extreme circumstances. Their lives are by no means ideal but they rely on each other and their love  for the other is clear.

The second half of the story deals with how Ma and Jack deal with life when they leave Room. Ma finds things hard to cope with. She has been used to taking care of Jack on her own and doesn't deal well with the input of others, particularly her mother. Jack is bewildered by the world and he is a total innocent in the outside world.  The way he reacts to things and the way he phrases things is wonderful and made me look at the world in a totally new way - I spent a while staring into the distance wondering about perspective from Jack's point of view.

I loved this book. It deals with a difficult and disturbing set of circumstances but there is lightness and joy in the relationship between Jack and Ma which is heart warming. There was a tear in my eye at times but many more chuckles.  

If I Could ...

I've been tagged by Jocelyn over at The Reading Residence to indulge in a little daydreaming. Nothing I like better to be honest so away I go ...

If I could live anywhere:
The heart shouts 'Florence!', possibly my favourite place on earth. It would have to be in the historic heart of the city not the soulless suburbs, a cute apartment up some stone stairs with a view of either the Arno or the Duomo. I'd start ever day with a coffee in Piazza della Signoria gazing at the beautiful fountain. I'd spend the morning wandering through the Boboli Gardens, enjoy a picnic lunch under the trees. Afternoons would be spent either in the Uffizi or the Galleria dell'Academia taking in all the wonderful art. Some days I'll wander over to the Brancacci Chapel to drink in the frescoes. Evenings would involve strolling across the Ponte Vecchio to window shop all the gold shops and buy some food in one of the back street restaurants.

If I could be anything:
I'd be an elf. Ever since I first read Lord of the Rings I've been in love with the elves in Middle Earth. When I was younger I wanted to be Galadriel, cool and mysterious. Now I'm a bit older I would chose Arwen - so I get to kiss Aragorn of course!

If I could have anything:
It would be kittens. I love kittens - so playful and cute. My husband seems to think that there is a limit to how many cats and kittens we should have but I'd happily go on adding to our brood for ever. As soon as our youngest becomes a cat rather than a kitten I start to get broody for kittens! I love having the little scamps racing around the house.

If I could bring anything back to life:
I'm supposed to say my parents but I think I'll choose Clyde. Clyde was the brother of our middle cat Bonnie who sadly had an accident with a car several years ago. He was a wonderful cat, he loved me in a way no other cat we've had and he was a real character. It still breaks my heart thinking about him and I miss him more than any other cat we've ever owned.

If I could live in any time in history:
In my heart I'd like to choose Georgian England but I think the more practical me would choose the inter war years - the Roaring Twenties and the Thirties before the Second World War. I love the fashions of that time so it would be lovely to dress like that all the time. I'd love to live in the Georgian era but I think the hygiene and health care would be too much for me to bear. At least in the Twentieth Century I might stand a chance of surviving childhood!

If I could live in any season:
I choose autumn. I love autumn about all seasons. The colours, the smells, the weather - all perfect. I love snuggling into knitwear; walking in the chill of autumn; the drizzly weather which means I get to wear a hat and not feel like a plonker; scarves and gloves; misty mornings and dark evenings; the perfect excuse to drink hot chocolate. What more could I wish for?

If I could be any fictional character:
This is a tough choice. My first choice would be Becky Sharpe in Vanity Fair. She's a feisty woman who goes all out for what she wants, nothing stands in her way. I like the idea of getting what I want through any means and kicking against the conventions of the day. Then I think I'd like to choose Tess from Tess of the D'Urbervilles, another strong woman. But Tess goes through some things that I don't want to experience so I rule her out. Why does it have to be a woman? If this is fiction I can be a man. If I'm to be a man I'd choose Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. He's got it all - a great father, a man of principle, a pillar of the community. But I've decided that I want to be Moominmamma. She's perfect in every way - the perfect mother and wife, always full of useful advice, practical yet still a dreamer. Yes, I choose to be Moominmamma!

If I could be any blogger:
Now there's a thought! There are so many bloggers I admire - Jocelyn of course, Sara at Mumturnedmom, Elizabeth at Rosalilium - but I'd choose Callie at The Corner of the Curve. She has an awesome lifestyle and her blog is often very inspiring. As a plus size woman I can relate to the struggles she goes through and I admire the strength she shows in dealing with the negativity she encounters on an almost daily basis.

Enough daydreaming, back to the real world - there's ironing to do!

The Prompt - To Read

When the screaming ended Polly was surprised to find she had a really sore throat. There was a groaning sound coming from the other side of the lounge but Polly had no idea what it was. She felt a pain in her right hand and looked down. There was a broken mug clutched in her hand and there appeared to be blood as well.

Polly's ears were ringing. She gently shook her head to clear it but the ringing continued. And there was the groaning. Where was that coming from?   

Slowly Polly moved away from the dining table. Her legs felt heavy and she walked like an 80 year old woman. Gripping the back of the sofa she moved slowly around to sit down. She could still hear groaning, it seemed to be closer now she was in front of the sofa. Gingerly Polly sat down and released her grip on the broken mug. It hit the floor with a dull thud.

She rubbed her temples and shook her head again. The ringing was clearing and Polly was bothered by the groaning sound. Something was different, odd in the room. Polly struggled to work out what it was. Something out of place. The chair! The armchair was overturned.

Polly was aware of time passing. The clock on the mantelpiece ticked. She'd always hated that sound. It reminded her of long, boring visits to her maiden aunts when she was a child. The ticking of their clock seemed to be sucking the joy out of her life second by second. Now as she sat on the sofa it marked the passage of time between now and - what? Something had happened but Polly wasn't sure what it was.

That armchair needed picking up. Harold would be so cross to see the chair sprawled across the lounge. Getting up and doing something about it seemed like far too much effort. Polly closed her eyes and rested her head against the crocheted antimacassar.

With a start Polly woke up. How long had she been asleep? The darkness through the window meant that many hours had passed. Her head ached, her mouth felt woolly and she had a nagging suspicion that something bad had gone on today.

From across the room she heard a groaning, fainter now than before. Slowly, gingerly Polly rose from the sofa and walked carefully towards the sound. A foot protruded from beside the table, a foot in a greying sports sock, a foot Polly recognised at once. Harold's foot.

She knelt down next to him and reached out to stroke his head. The groaning was louder and more urgent now. Harold flinched when she touched him and Polly instinctively snatched her hand away. Gazing in disbelief Polly saw there was blood on her hand. Someone had hurt Harold, injured him in his own home. Polly suddenly felt warmer as her anger rose. How dare someone hurt her Harold!

Then, as quickly as it had risen, her temperature plummeted. She began to shiver as she remembered what had happened. Her mind cleared and she was certain she knew what had gone on.

Harold groaned again, 'Why Polly? For God's sake why?'

Polly licked her lips and felt the tears spring to her eyes.

'I'm sorry, Harold. I didn't mean to hit you. I just wanted a quiet half hour to read my book.'