Staying true to our promise to travel as much as we can whilst over in England, I jumped on the opportunity to see more of the UK. We've been to ten countries so far, however since being in Brighton we havent seen much of England. Ive been to a couple of surronding towns, including the medieval town Lewes (which was an absolute delight). But as of yet, haven't been further north then London. It was time to explore more of what Britian has to offfer.
Luckly, my boyfriend James is from Birmingham, which is in the famous midlands of England. Quick run down, James and I met at Giraffee where we both work. A professional scuba diver who is itching for his next traveling stint instructing scuba diving, we share alot of common interests and goals. New travel partner? I think so!
So I got the opportunity to see Birmingham with a local and the chance to meet his family as well. Birmingham is the second largest city in England and the birth of the industrial revolution....thought it was London? So did I, but we were all taught wrong. Google it.
The reactions I got from my fellow British friends was not encouraging. Birmingham is seen as a scumy, dirty city. Home to the infamous "Brummies", people with harsh twaggy, unintelligent accents. The closest I could compare it to...is peeps from the ghetto. But with a British accent. Although alot of money has been poured into the city centre of Birmingham alot of the surronding areas are run down and crime filled.
Have no fear! While James is from Birmingham....its the surburb outside area of Birmingham. He has a lovely accent and comes from a nice area by the country side. He is not a "Brummie".
So we booked our time off and got online to find train tickets. Everyone knows how I love to take the train, so I was almost more excited about getting there, then actually being there! I really dont understand how the price trains over here. To get to London, which is an hour and half train ride it will cost me 25 - 30 pounds. To birmingham which is three and a half hours away its 10 pounds. I dont get it, but I wont complain either!
The train ride there was spelindid. It was a morning train, with cloudy rainy weather (of course), all of which was through the english countryside. Acres of lush green land, with sheep and little cottages. It was what you would imagine the English countryside should look like.
We got to Birmingham train station which is in the heart of the city centre. Modern and very new...it was a testament to a metropolis. James took me to a lovely pub filled with an ancient Roman theme and classical jazz playing in the background. I got to try Birminghams famous UBO ale. Smooth and delicious, it goes down quickly. After walking around the high end street of shops, (if only I was rich) We headed to his Moms.
She lives in Maypole, which is on the outskirts of Birmingham, next to the countryside. Maypole is also close to Hollywood (named so due to the amount of Holly that grows in the area). Thats right, the original Hollywood....not quite as glamorous.
His mother, Pam is a lovely woman. Bubbly, friendly and outgoing she made me feel right at home. Talked to me as if she had always known me! It was nice.. I was obviously nervous meeting his family. He has five sisters.....FIVE. Pam and James dad Allen, were going to see Elton John that night so they were all dolled up to go. His teenage twin sisters were there....giggly, they were a riot to talk to. Was I that giggly at that age?
Pam and Jame's twin sisters
After some coffee and getting freshened up, we went to another part of Birmingham to meet up with his friends hes known since childhood. James other sister (who is my age) met up to come with us. Georgina is lovely, and we hit it right off. Both ambitious about traveling, we had alot to talk about. England was playing that night, so we went to Weatherspoons to meet up.
Thankfully, James friends are just as friendly as he. Alot of them are couples, so after being introduced to everyone (who had been anxiously waiting to meet me), I got to sit with the girls. So welcoming, I got along really well with them. After we all went to another pub with a huge beer garden. This beer garden had a classy cigar room, music and even a beach area with sand. It was an aamzing night out...and from what I heard, the friend approve of me!
The next day, Pam offered to show me Stratford upon Avon. A village stuck in time, its the birthplace of William Shakespeare and known for its beauty. James' twin sisters came along as well. On the way, Pam showed me some of the medieval towns along the way, as well as the most scenic areas of the countryside surronding birmingham. It was incredibly nice of her.
Birthplace of William Shakespeare
As well, being a mother....I also got to see all the places James went to school, played football, lived, worked, etc. It was quite cute, shes clearly very proud of her son.
On the way, we stopped at this huge open market thats on an air field. Tents upon tents of stuff. I was in my glory! I got a couple of shoes for a fiver each...not bad at all!
Once we got to Stratford we walked to the birthplace of William Shakespeare. A cottage still intact...it was a quaint little cottage. Interesting for sure. We also got to go the year round Christmas shop...which is always fun. Stratford is also known for their antiques....James went to college in Stratford, so he was able to take me off the beaten track to the unigue antique shops....so fascinating to look through.
After me and James walked along the canal, and I got to feed the ducks...including a couple of Canadian Geese! The canal that runs through Stratford actually leads to Birmingham.
The walk along the canal was breathtaking. Willow trees draping over the dirt road with the odd duck passing by. It was beautiful. Then we went to the Chapel of where William Shakespeare is burried. On the way, there was a group of actor acting scenes from some Shakspeare play or another....how fitting. Of course, I went in, paid my 2 pounds and took a picture at his tomb. Its just what you do.
We ended the day in a simple, cute pub with a famous Stratford ale. It was a wonderful day...even though it was raining. Although, it wouldnt be a classic English day without the rain.
On the way back, we stopped by the Rose and Crown where James used to work. Its a huge pub, well decorated and lovely. Both his sister Georgina and Catherine work there. Before them James worked there and his eldest sister Liz. All of the Boorer clan has worked there, but his two young teenage sisters.....however, they both said when they are old enough they will work there too. I thought that was quite sweet. All the siblings get along really well, its especially impressive how close James is with his sisters....considering he is the only boy.
That night James took me for the dish Birmingham is famous for. Curry. Not the Indian curry we think of back home, curry invented in Birmingham by the Brits. I was all in for a try. Just a simple resturant in Maypole, who still remeber James and welcomed him in. I had butter chicken, which was delicious. Fresh and homemade....I wish I could have eaten it all...but it is filling! Well done Brits!
The Bull Ring
The next day, James took me to the heart of Birmingham...the Bull ring as it is affectionatly called. Taking the "buzz" in (all for the brummie twang), I saw a bit of the ruins of the city. Older buildings left boarded up sprayed with graffiti. Alot of money has been poured into Birmingham to modernize the city, however it is a work in progress. Once into the city centre, you can see the amount of money and work that has been put into the city. Stunning works of modern technology...the buildings are impressive.
Walking around the Bull ring, I got to see the Brummies first hand. Girls with long nails, slicked back hair, hoop earrings, and skany clothes. Men with track suits and gold chains....I felt quite posh in my blazer and nice blouse.
James took me to the huge building containing a huge open market...itching to go in, I was disappointed to see it was closed. Next we went to the Arcadia, with is an area of delightful resturants and fancy bars. Next to the charming China town and gay distrist. Walking around, its much like any huge city. However, I found the Birmingham charm to ease the husle busle of what you usually encounter with large cities. Everyone seemed to be relaxed and chill....not rushing to the next meeting or appointment. I really loved that.
The unique part of Birmingham is the canals. Birmingham has more canals then Venice, the canals flow through the towering buildings and unique little pubs that inhabit the city. We stopped for lunch in this tiny unique pub that overlooks the canal. Watching the river boats flow by, enjoying an ale and the rain. Of course, the rain. Always rain.
That night we met up with James sisters and Mom for Sunday Roast. In Britian, every sunday pubs make roast. Lamb, Pork, Beef, and Turkey with all the fixings. And for dirt cheap. Its a delicious meal. Pam heard that I had never tried Marmite and was gracious enough to bring it along for me to try. Marmite is a yeast extract speard that has splitted the country in half. Either you absolutly love it, or you hate it. The colour of brown and toxic smell, I was skeptical. It didnt help that James and his sisters were gagging as I took a bite. (they all hate it, despite their mothers best efforts for them to love it). It was OK.....really salty, I didnt really know what to make of it. So nice of his mom to introduce me to it!
The next day Pam took James, his sister Catherine(who is lovely) and myself to Warwick Castle. Warwick Castle is one of the huge proper castles that Britian has to offer. On the way, we stopped by to meet James Nan. His Nan had been waiting weeks to meet me for she had a special story to tell me!
In a quiant little house filled with gorgous antique treasues, she is a vibrant woman who welccomes everyone in with " How you doing Babs?!" She quickly tells me to take a seat so she can tell her story. When she was 16 during the second World War, she used to go around the hospital where the soliders were recovering. She met Sergent Mcphee who was from Canada. She used to mail his postcards and bring him some brandy, as he would tell her about his son back home. Then she asked me to say hi to Sergent Mcphee should I see him back in Canada. Bless her, it was so sweet to see her excitment that she had met a fellow Canadian. That, and Im sure Sergent Mcphee is long gone.
After that, we were on our way to Warwick. The gardens leading up to the castle is just as stunning as the castle. The massive castle is on a mound that overlooks the acres and acres of lush green land. Inside the castle is rooms and rooms of history, bedrooms of the dukes and princesses that had lived there before. The dungons of poor prisioners that were tortured and killed. And the steps leading up to the towers where you can see for miles and miles.
Warwick Castle
It was incredibly charming, and made me want to be a princess. They also had a birds of prey show. They had vultures, eagles, owls and huge birds that would fly around the castle. All the staff in period era costumes. It was an incredibly lovely day.
That night I took the train back to Brighton. I graciously thanked his mom for the hosptility, and bought her some Marmite chocolate! It was such a nice trip and an absolute joy to be able to meet his family and friends. Such amazing people who made me feel welcome and made the trip extra special.
