Monday 25 March, Birmingham City Centre

'The Last Of England' is a favourite

After breakfast at our hotel. we found the bus stop

A Leonardo sketch

in the Hagley Road into Birmingham City Centre. Jess and Julie had warned us about the construction going on there and we had a very tortuous ride.

We got off the 12A bus at the back of Baskerville House, and headed straight to the City Art Gallery. There was free admission.

Some delicate jewellery from the Hoard

It wasn't our first visit to the gallery, as we went once before with Jess to see the famous Pre-Raphaelite collection. I enjoyed seeing all the same artworks again, as well as the new Leonardo sketches room.

We also admired the Staffordshire Hoard of exquisite Saxon gold jewellery. Afterwards we had a coffee in the extensive cafe and lunch room.We declined to order a champagne at our table.

The St. Martin's Church altarpiece

The Bullring bull 

After the museum visit, we went inside nearby St. Martin's Church where some of Richard's ancestors were baptised or buried. It was interesting to see the choirstalls, the elaborate carved altarpiece and the stained glass windows. Then we had lunch at nearby Cafe Rouge but we were short-changed on the wine measures.



Afterwards we took a photo of the famous bronze Bullring bull and then went to M&S again, a bigger one this time but with still rather drab clothes on sale, but I bought a few tops. We also went into Boots and a stationery shop. Then we managed to find the bus back to our hotel.


We had wine, peanuts and crisps and watched the football European Championship qualifier match against Montenegro. England won 5-1. I slept badly again - too many changes of bed.