Useful things...
by dark_willow
Keep it small if using public transport. There is no central interchange so you will be lugging stuff around quite a lot. being britain expect changeable weather. Even if visitng in the summer be sure to pack an umbrella or lightweight rain coat. Winter and early srping (November through April) can be bitterly cold and windy. Summers tend to be more variable and at short notice it can go from being dry and hot (30+ degrees) to cloudy, windy and cold with termperatures dropping to around 18. Sea winds are not a problem since you are so far inland. In summer bring cotton nightclohtes since few hotels have A/C and it can stay quite muggy climate wise if it's been cloudy. Most things are available easily in the city. Dont bother to bring much unless you are fussy about a paticular brand. Note UK pharmacists are strict about perscription drugs, so be sure to bring a plentiful supply or prescription as youll find it hard or impossible to get more without one. Some pharmacsists will only accept a UK issued one. Film and digital sotrage are easy to come by, photographic chain "Jessops" have branches in the Bullring Centre and near the Catherdral and sell film and offer processing services as well as equipment sales. Boots the Chemist (Bullring Centre, New Street and High Street) also process and sell film and digital media.
The city architecture lends itself to B&W photography so be sure to bring some B&W film as well as a polarising filter if you intend to use colour. A small lightweight zoom lens will help with cropping and gettin close ot architectural details, and cropping out some of the 1950's and 60's rubbish that blights the city scape. Dont carry an expensive/obvious camera bag or flash around any expensive gear. The city has limited health and fitness facilities. If you are serious about keeping fit bring a jogging suit and use Cannon Hill or Sutton Park during the morning. In the evenings they are not so safe.
The Portland Vase
by sourbugger
The Portland Vase is arguably the most famous and certainly the most influential piece of ancient glass in the world (1st century Roman) . Its' blue and white cameo appearance served as a source of inspiration for the potter Josiah Wedgwood. Now comes the interesting bit : some bloke in 1845 got completely rat-arsed over a few days, walked into the British Museum and smashed up the glass case and the vase. Rather oddly for some strange legal reason he was only spent time in jain for smashing up the case ! Some anonymous doner paid the fine and he got out in a matter of days
As it was smashed to pieces, and despite the effects of a big tube of glue, a prize of ?1000 was offered to anyone who could reproduce it. The challenge was taken up by John Northwood, who engraved the frieze, a task which, begun in 1873, was not completed until 1876. The copy was highly acclaimed, and gave rise to a fashion for cameo glass which lasted until the end of the century,
You can see a ststue of the man, and of the vase outside an entrance to the Merry Hill shopping centre. (big out-of-town center : see other tips)
The Arcadian
by kayleigh06 about The Arcadian
The Arcadian is a small area in Birmingham City Centre which is jam packed full of clubs, restaurants with food from around the world, bars, comedy club, hotel, shops, hair and beauty salons, an open air evening piazza.
The complex includes: Arca, Bar Coast, Barocco, Café Soya, Milanos, Festival Balti Restaurant, Golden Pond Chinese Restaurant, The Glee Club, The Green Room Café Bar, New Sum Ye Fast Food, The Old Fox Public House, O'Neills Public House, Oriental Kitchen, Mono, Poppy Red, PJ's Moon and Sixpence Bar, Las Iguanas Latin American Café Bar/Restaurant, Missing Bar, Sobar and Teppanyaki Japanese Restaurant.
Virgin Trains travel at 125mph
by Galahad
26.9.03 Virgin Trains opened their latest 125mph train service today. The service from Birmingham to Sheffield joins an expanding network of 125mph lines. Virgin now run from Birmingham to Stafford via Wolverhampton at 125mph this was to be extended to Stoke-on-Trent on 1.10.03 but this has been delayed by at least a week. The service to London Euston will soon join the 125 club
The maximum speed of the service to Reading has now been increased 110 mph.
From 20.12.03 Virgin will start to run some of their new electric Pendlino trains on the Euston to Birmingham service. These are the new 140mph tilting trains, but initially they will not be exceeding 125mph.
Authentic Italian Food
by brummielaura about Trattoria Giancarlo
Small and cosy interiors.
Run by an Italian family. If you're lucky, the owner will stop to tell you some entertaining stories about his travels between Italy and Birmingham. Tortellini with cheese and ham sauce
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Bournville Carillon
an art exhibition poster
All it's missing is the cob
Enjoing sushi in Selfridges
