Farewell to Birmingham.

Only a half day in conference and then back to the un-crowded tranquillity that is Cumbria. Cities may be fascinating places and are no doubt some peoples ideal places, not mine. As a life long country boy I always find them far too crowded, noisy and frantic.

Fortunately I was always out of the hotel and on my way towards conference not much after half past eight. This meant the streets hadn't started to fill up and all was nice and peaceful.

This is the area outside the hotel as you turn to head toward Broad Street and the ICC. In the distance is the Hall of Memory, Baskerville House and the new Birmingham Library, all the other side of Broad Street. By lunch time it was back to the hotel to collect my luggage and then the few minutes walk to New Street station and settle back thankfully on the Edinburgh train.