Europe 2023 5th August Day 2 - Birmingham

So after landing around 6am London time it was about an hour to collect luggage and get through customs. Bought some of the Apple airtags and when my bag didn't arrive with the first lot, logged on and could see it still on the plane. 😥  But then the icon started moving and soon we were reunited. Off to the tube and onto the Piccadilly line to Cockfoster. 

Used the old oyster card from last time here and still worked with nearly £5 left on it. Changed at Green Park onto the Victoria line to Euston station. It was now 8am and needed to find the train to Birmingham. Ticket office was a little secluded but got a ticket for the 8.20 from platform 11. Onto the London Northwestern Railway carriage and on my way for another 2.25 hours. Nice comfortable trip for £29 but would have been quicker if I could have made the 8.12am, only 1.5 hour express, but in no hurry.

Coming into New Station at Birmingham is not that inspiring as train stations go but the impressive mechanical bull (from the 2022 Commonwealth Games) in the main concourse certainly is.

Out of the station and short 7 minute walk up the street and arrived at the Stanbridge Suites almost 30 hours exactly from takeoff in Brisbane. Not too shabby I'm thinking 😇

First task after getting gear into the room was to get the Ted's off and head downstairs for a nice coffee. Not bad at all, much better than I remember of UK coffee last visit. It was then time for a shower and then out for a walk. Stopped for a quick bite ( Blt  cob with a pint) Didn't last long before feeling a bit shagged, so headed back to room and a short hour kip. Glad I set an alarm as I think I would have slept for hours. 

It was then off in the drizzle to have a little look around before catching up with Jane. Birmingham has some beautiful old buildings but unluckily at the moment the museum and art gallery are closed for renovations. There appears to be a lot of infrastructure renewal going on from what was already done for the last Commonwealth Games and in a couple of years should be quite the trendy city. Never seen so many coffee shops in close proximity in a UK city. 😂 Wandered Around for a few hours before heading back to the room via Marks and Spencer for some wine,  cheese and biscuits. Jane finally got back to the room around 5.30 after another 'brillant' day at the convention. We had some of the purchases before heading out to a pub I'd seen on my travels, The Royal. Just some good pub food and a glass of the local before heading back to the room; jet lag was setting in I'm afraid. 

Tried to stay awake till 9 but just didn't quite make it. All that travel and  5km walking wasn't too bad.