Sunday, 22 February 2015

"Mum, It's Behind You" - An Afternoon of Discovery in Birmingham

Roger and I travelled to Birmingham today to visit our daughter, Caitlin.  It was a wet and blustery day and we headed to the city centre for a stroll to the canal.  As ever, my geo antenna were on full alert and as we walked through Victoria Square I knew there had to be something for me there.  And, yes, there was.  A lovely flush bracket benchmark on the side of the Council House.
15 02 22 Bham Victoria Square (1)
"Ah," I mused to Caitlin.  "A Council Hall....reminds me of St George's Square in Glasgow where we found those standards measures on the side of the wall and across the square.  I wonder if there are any here?"

"Mum," she responded.  "I forgot to mention it.  They're behind you."  And lo and behold!
15 02 22 Bham Victoria Square (2)
Aren't they just beautiful?
15 02 22 Bham Victoria Square (3)
Feet, links, metres and poles.  Wonderous.
15 02 22 Bham Victoria Square (4)
Not sure I've ever heard of a Dekametre.
15 02 22 Bham Victoria Square (5)
After this we scurried to the library to enjoy the amazing architecture and the book rotunda.  On the way to the Shakespeare room we walked past the map section.
15 02 22 Bham Library (6)
Well, not so much walked past.  More like stopped.
15 02 22 Bham Library (5)
It was stuffed full of treasures.
15 02 22 Bham Library (4)
Some beautiful books.
15 02 22 Bham Library (7)
And a limited edition copy of Blaeu's 1662 atlas of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
15 02 22 Bham Library (11)
Such treats; and makes me wonder if our local library has similar offerings.  I must go check.

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