CHRISTMAS IN BRUM.

Continuing my festive frolics from where I left off (which is further down this page after todays offerings!) I have added photographs taken from a trip on the Big Wheel and a trip through the German market, plus a few pictures of the Christmas lights.

This is a view over Birmingham City Centre taken from the "Big Wheel". At 60m tall (about 200' in £sd) it is really worth the trip and the views are phenomenal. 

A view of the BT Tower (forrmerly the Post Office Tower). 

Looking over Symphony Hall towards the NIA. 

A view of the wheel taken from the wheel, the Hyatt hotel sneaks in to the right of the picture. 

The ground in front of Symphony Hall is an awfully long way down! 

Centenary Square. 

Looking down on Symphony Hall again. 

Welcome to the traditional Christmas Market from Frankfurt, Germany and frohliche Weihnachten!

Miniature pyramids on sale at this stall.

This man spends all day demonstrating the metal collectibles (ie the sort of toys we had when we were young!). I spent a long time looking wistfully at them. 

Beautifully made ceramic houses. 

Market stalls in Victoria Square. 

Glass bowls for tea-lights. 

A selection of stollen. 

The illuminated pyramid above the drinks bar. 

A fascinating variety of marionettes. 

Glass decorations here. 

Lots of nutcrackers. 

Christmas decorations adorn this stall. 

A view along New Street. 

The Council House at the back of Victoria Square, market stalls at the front. 

Greetings from the Frankfurt market. 

Greetings from Birmingham City Council. 

This man runs the nearest equivalent to a British market stall with his market cries and showmanship. He also gives away samples of his excellent chocolates and cakes. 

New Street is well lit with festive flair.

Plenty of shoppers at the stalls in New Street. 

Follow that star! 

St Martins Church in the midst of the Christmas bustle. 

The modern Christmas tree is dwarfed by the tower of St Martins Church. I feel moved to music... what is that carol?... oh yes "Oh little town of Birmingham, How still we see thee lie......"

Merry Christmas everybody!! May I take this moment to wish all Brummies, ex-pats and visitors to this site the seasons greetings and I hope you all enjoy a prosperous and Happy New Year. 

CANAL BOAT LIGHT PARADE, 21st November 2004

Sunday 21st November 2004. This was the day Birmingham switched it's Christmas lights on.. and I will add pictures soon of the lights and the German market. It was also the day when, for the first time, the Canal Boat Light Parade took place. About 20 boats of various types travelled from the NIA to the Mailbox and back again, all covered in seasonal lights and decoration. I took most of my photographs from the Narrowboat Europe. The pictures, as usual are not brilliant but I had a very good time taking them. Enjoy!

On the way to the canals it is impossible to avoid the Gluhwein stall of the traditional German Christmas market from Frankfurt. More pictures from the market soon.

A launch decked out as a pirate ship approaches it's mooring before the parade.

Snowmen? Steph and Caroline from the Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company on the towpath before boarding the Europe. Not sure which is which. They came on board to wave to all the little children.. and big children! And, being that time of year, "The Snowman" is being staged at the Rep soon.

The NB Europe (a trip-boat of Second City Canal Cruises). My home for the next hour. On board will be the snowmen, musical duo Absolute Strings and Father Christmas.

The pirate ship in lights.

Under the first of many bridges as the parade starts.

Approaching the Malthouse public house.

Crowds line the towpath outside the ICC.

Natural life on the canals.. a sun-flower?.. in winter?

A boat looms from the gloom at the Worcester Bar.

... a boat of the Sherbourne Wharf trip-boat company.

Another well-lit boat looms from the gloom.

On board the Narrow Boat Europe.... Lisa of duo "Absolute Strings" plays the violin while the legs of musical partner Pete dangle down through the hatch as he plays on deck. Just in the top right corner the dangling limbs of Father Christmas can be made out.. please note that this is the GENUINE Father Christmas and any others in stores and grottos around the land are just people in fancy-dress!!

The girls (sorry snowmen) wave to the crowds on the towpath.. and to me.

The BBC Radio WM boat the NB St Catherine. (Radio WM is a quality local Radio station).

Boatmen take their craft back to the starting point.

The Mailbox shopping mall from the canal.

The new BBC studios at the Mailbox.

The Birmingham Big Wheel in front of the ICC. Note the bendy Christmas tree!

The Birmingham Big Wheel in Centenary Square, the "Rep" is to the left.