“Go West – Life is Peaceful there”.  The song from the Pet Shop Boys inspires this posting.

I set off walking to the Birmingham Peace Gardens from Moor St.  My fist photographic stop was along Smallbrook Queensway where I took pictures of the early morning commuters.  I moved onto Holloway Circus to take pictures of the Chinese Pagoda juxtaposed against the Raddison Blu Hotel.  Next I headed West on Bath Row to the Birmingham Peace Gardens.  This is a lovely tranquil spot but in dire need of some investment to bring it back up to its former glory.  Its full name is St Thomas’ Peace Garden.  It was one of many “Waterloo” commemorative churches built after the Battle of Waterloo.  It was partially destroyed in the WWII blitz on the city and never rebuilt. The remains of the Church and the area around have been made into a remembrance garden.  It is very peaceful there and on this particular morning no-one else was about.  I spent time taking photographs and when finished moved onto the Worcester and Birmingham Canal which is nearby.  Here the canal landscape is dominated by the Cube, a futuristic building which is a mix of offices, residential flats, restaurants and a hotel.  It also makes for a good backdrop for photographs.  I had both my Sony and the Canon 5d with the 24-70mm lens with me.  There are a few close ups, low down shots and looking up pictures as I try to vary the point of view.  Always learning! and such walks are chance to relax and try new techniques.

“Go West, this is what we’re gonna do, Go West” – Pet shop Boys

A lone early morning commuter
Beetham Tower amongst the sharp angles of the surrounding architecture
Chinese Pagoda close up
Tropical look to Beethan Tower

 

The Pagoda flanked by high rise council blocks
View down Smallbrook Queensway (although there are plans to change this)
Bath row looking towards Smalbrook Queensway
Entrance to Birmingham Peace Garden
An elephant and dove – in need of paint
The remains of St Thomas’ Church
St Thomas’ Church
May peace prevail on Earth
Another view of the Church and the surrounding garden
One of many commemorative plaques around the site
Peaceful view of the canal
the Cube overlooking the canal
Cube reflections
Diving Sculpture against the Cube
A low down view of commuters along the Worcester and Birmingham canal.

The sun came back after a really dull week and so I jumped into the car down to one of my favourite locations for photographs.  Kingswood Junction is near to Lapworth and is where the Stratford-upon-Avon canal meets the Grand Union canal via a small connection under the railway bridge.  I played around with long exposure, long focal length lens and an old fish eye lens that I have.  All good fun and long may the sun shine.

A small boat in the marina
Which way?
Via the Grand Union
The connection between the two major waterways
Long exposure
Long exposure with black and white treatment
The Fish eye view
A pleasant sunny day