Yes, it's just a load of Bull or should I say Bully? Bully is the mascot of the #Birmingham #England shopping centre or #mall for our #American cousins.
During the lockdown, we were permitted recently to spend as much time outdoors as we like to exercise etc and after 8 weeks of lockdown, this was an opportunity to get out and shoot Birmingham which was effectively a ghost town.
I started out at 7.30am on the tram to get me into #Brum as I wanted to get a shot of the fountain plateau outside the Birmingham #RepertoryTheatre with the morning sun glinting. I was shocked at the £6 price tag to get me in to Brum however this was an all day ticket which came in handy later on. This area was quite an eerie sight as this area is constantly buzzing with folks all day and night.
I settled down at the ICC entrance armed with my camera and my #niftyfifty lens and took a variety of shots. I must explain, this fountain or set of fountains has a pattern or a dance so to speak. If you don't get this shot when it comes round you then have to wait 10 mins for it to cycle back around!
Whilst waiting for the cycle, a tram came into view which, with the reflection from the calmer part of the water feature, provided a good reflection point.
After a while I noticed there were people walking around with a #Starbucks cup! This is lock down! Where were they getting this nectar of the gods from? I packed my gear away and went down to the nearest Starbucks which was a few minutes walk and there stood the glorious view of the doors open but with a plastic screen. Hey ho, needs must. I approached with caution and was told to order drinks via the "app". Easier said than done.
I downloaded the app and after a while of logging in, adding money to the account, figuring out how to order a black coffee and a coconut latte which took a good 15mins, one of the team members came out to see if I was ok and needed help. Oh did I need help with it. Finally got it to work and approached again to see if the order was there. It was!! We waited only a few minutes and out came the drinks. Regrettably, the black coffee had milk in it. Oh well.
We mosied on round to Broad Street through the roadworks for the extension of the tram....
...and found the #Birmingham #Walkoffame. Not hard to find as its stars placed in to the ground, very much like the stars outside the Chinese Theatre. We wouldn't resist having our photo took standing next to #Roywood, former lead singer with #ELO, #TheMove and #Wizzard.
Oh fame at last! Further on we came to the back of the #icc (#internationalconventioncentre) and, well, aren't these the snazziest fire doors!
Following the path round brings you round to the top of #Brindleyplace passing the now infamous #Blacksabbath Bridge.
We ventured down into the deserted Brindley Place, an old canal network and basin. It was very strange walking down here as this is normally a bustle of shops, restaurants, floating cafe's with lots of people milling around however, there was nothing just the odd few people.
We returned to the main centre of #Brum but passed this signage. Perhaps a sign of the times.
Making our way down New Street devoid of its usual ambience of shops open, people walking about we made our way to the #Bullring. After years of wanting to get these shots, I have often been thwarted by the throngs of people around this statute of Bully and I do mean throngs of people. It's a very popular statue and quite rightly a proud piece of sculpture.
At this point, we decided to end our lockdown escape walk and head home for a rest and a bite to eat but resolved to return later that evening for the #goldenhour shoot opportunity.
We returned approx 8pm and waited for the golden hour to start which was at approx 8.24pm. We found our seats after a quick wander around the area again.
Now, you may be wondering why I wanted to return in the evening? Well, the fountains have lights! Yes, along with the dance routine, a series of flashing lights appear with the movement. This was a great opportunity to get the setting right.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this little journey with me and until next time, take care and may your god go with you.
TTFN.
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