Ozzy in Birmingham New Street station

Every few months, I meet up with an old friend for a walk, a catch-up and some photos. We pick Birmingham as it's midway between his home in N Oxfordshire and Sheffield.
Today Jon's train was a little delayed (surprise!). So I had time to admire Ozzy, Birmingham's mechanical bull. A patrolling policeman stopped to chat, it turns out that he's a particular fan. I like Ozzy too; the work is reminiscent of Sheffield's 'Scorpion', a sculpture installed in one of the few remaining steel works here, and made of scrap pieces. But Ozzy is on a grander scale all together. Every 15 minutes his eyes light up and his head swivels above the crowds of passers-by. He started life at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and there's some background info here:
https://www.iambirmingham.co.uk/2023/07/26/back-brum-ozzy-bull-unveiled-new-home-sharon-osbourne-attendance/

Chat ranged from the frustrations of current UK rail travel to the innovative examples of architecture in Birmingham city centre - not least the central library. And a mutual update on family life, kids, grandkids.

Both of us are normally optimists. But not really at the moment, not about life beyond the domestic. The chances of war spreading, both in Europe and in the Middle East, are growing. No hiding from that.