Bartimaeus

The next morning we were not in a huge hurry. There was time to finish packing and deal with the contents of the fridge and dispose of veg matter in the hedge and a leisurely breakfast. We didn't see any more kingfishers, we might be just beyond its reach, but there were swallows swooping over the canal and perching on the wires above us.

It wasn't far to Lapworth station and we arrived at the perfect time. In fact if we had missed it we were still in advance as Shane had allowed time for us to find lunch in Birmingham, rather than just dashing between the two station, Moor street and New Street as we have sometimes done in the past. This was a more straightforward journey than we have had in a while.

We have all visited Birmingham before and seen some of the central sights. As soon as I stepped through the barriers I could see something new.

Bryn had been in Birmingham with us around Christmas when there were market stalls and decorations galore, The large Bull statue at the Bull Ring shopping centre had been given a sequinned makeover. This was a new bull and we soon found many more with people collecting the set. We didn't try to see them all.

There was a large display of Black Sabbath images, describing the albums. The band members were already Birmingham heroes, but recently Ozzy had done a last concert in his home town. There was an exhibition in the Art Gallery of Black Sabbath too. We decided not to do that carrying rucksacks.

We passed a beautiful bakery - too beautiful to eat we thought - could the flavour keep up with the hype? Works of art that ought to be in the art gallery too.

Another bull looked like modern art with bright geometric shapes. It was beside the Black Sabbath outdoor display.

Behind them was a fountain, a modern take on a classic theme. I don't think I have seen it running before. A little girl was enjoying the splashes, sprinkles and statues of women. I don't remember it at all.

I don't remember it at all. Nearby was a white tower thatI did remember. There is a lot of seating there and new addition were pads provided to sit on the stone more comfortably. And there was, of course, a bull.

Bryn recognised the nearby restaurant as one that also is in Edinburgh, Dishoom. We hadn't been aware it was a chain. The bull outside it had some Indian style patterns. We weren't sure if it was chance or related.

There is a lot of new development happening so we couldn't see some areas, but at the end we came out at a space I recognised, the library. Outside some young ladies were performing a dance together and being filmed doing it. Their music wasn't very loud but they looked good and seemed to be enjoying their performance.

I'm sure the dancing was empowering for them. They looked happy and confident. I enjoyed seeing them. We found a place to eat at the conference centre. Outside was a popular bull entirely patterned as a tiger. It was seldom left alone. Another bull was even more mixed up.

From the eating place we saw a gold statue. Again I felt I rembered the statue but didn't remember the gold. The golden boys statue presumably is always golden, it was very shiny so might be re-done every so often.

On the way back to the station we passed the girls starting performing again in a shopping area. Do what you wanna do and be what you wannabe. We wanted to catch a train and to be back in Edinburgh, but so we didn't wait to watch this time.