Are you lost yet, underneath Spagetti Junction, Gravelly Hill, Birmingham, July 2025

As it happened, my car windscreen needed replacing in Nechells, so I had time to explore the canals. I headed for the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and walked along it to the lock below Holborn Hill. Turning left, I arrived at Aston train station. It is a five-minute walk from there to Spaghetti Junction and then a short descent to the Tame Valley Canal.

Are you lost yet, underneath Spagetti Junction, Gravelly Hill, Birmingham, July 2025
The classic view of the Tame Valley Canal underneath the motorway.

Repairs are currently being carried out on the supports of the motorway, and there were many workers in and around the area. This made it relatively safe to stroll around. I stopped to view the art project run by Bill Drummond, former drummer of the KLF rock group and now an influential artist. He paints a line at regular intervals on the concrete walls opposite the towpath. The line currently displayed reads, “Are you lost yet?”

Are you lost yet, underneath Spagetti Junction, Gravelly Hill, Birmingham, July 2025
Directions on the tow path

Luckily, I knew exactly where I was on the canals, and I walked further along to take pictures of the motorway pillars reflected in the canal water. There is some rubbish around, but also many opportunities for interesting photographs.

Are you lost yet, underneath Spagetti Junction, Gravelly Hill, Birmingham, July 2025
Reflections and rubbish.
Are you lost yet, underneath Spagetti Junction, Gravelly Hill, Birmingham, July 2025
Men at work.
Are you lost yet, underneath Spagetti Junction, Gravelly Hill, Birmingham, July 2025
Ongoing repair work under the motorway.
Are you lost yet, underneath Spagetti Junction, Gravelly Hill, Birmingham, July 2025
The old road and the M6 motorway.

Retracing my steps, I explored the junction where the Birmingham canals meet the Tame Valley Canal. This was also the site where most of the repair work was taking place. I then made my way to Aston Reservoir, accessing it just past a sports centre. The elevated sections of the motorway rise in the distance and overlook the water. I always find it amazing that speedboat races once took place on this small area of water.

Are you lost yet, underneath Spagetti Junction, Gravelly Hill, Birmingham, July 2025
Aston or sometimes known as Salford reservoir with the M6 link road to the Aston Expressway in the background.

I have visited the Junction several times before and here are some of my accounts of my previous visits.

Lost all meaning by Imbue, Digbeth, Birmingham

I follow Imbue on Instagram and enjoy his thought-provoking artwork. Over the last few weeks, my Instagram feed went wild with notifications about his forthcoming exhibition. The images circulating included the Mona Lisa as viewed on mobile phones and a horse constructed from Amazon boxes. The exhibition was called ‘Lost All Meaning’, so I headed down to Digbeth to see the artwork. I do enjoy contemporary art. Having lived through the glam rock, punk and new romantic music movements, the album covers were always treasured. Imbue’s work captures much of that excitement and brings it right up to date.

Lost all meaning by Imbue, Digbeth, Birmingham
The exhibition space for the Imbue artwork.

I arrived at the building on Floodgate Street and was immediately drawn to the walls where Imbue had arranged his work. A food and drinks machine was set up to dispense “faith healing” drugs. I bought a pack from the machine dispenser, and inside the blister pack, the tablets were arranged in the shape of a cross. This religious theme ran throughout the exhibition, with pieces such as The Fall of Man (UV print on a used MacBook lid) and McChurch, which, when cut out, resembles a McDonald’s Happy Meal box. The 100 Phones exhibit depicting the Mona Lisa was remarkable, though it makes me feel I really must go and see the actual Mona Lisa now!

Leonardo da Vinci
Faithhealers make a cross.
Lost all meaning by Imbue, Digbeth, Birmingham
Mc Church which if brought allows you the option to but out and make a box.
Lost all meaning by Imbue, Digbeth, Birmingham
Close up of the 100 phones Mona Lisa.

Many of the prints were mounted on the wall and arranged in a 3-by-3 grid, including Leonardo da Vinci–inspired printed circuit boards with images of the Mona Lisa, Salvator Mundi, and Saint John the BaptistKids with Guns used shooting targets with added Mickey Mouse ears, a powerful indictment of the world’s current gun problems. Nearby was a bullet encased in a bottle, designed to be used in a 3D-printed gun.

Lost all meaning by Imbue, Digbeth, Birmingham
Leonardo da Vinci series
Lost all meaning by Imbue, Digbeth, Birmingham
Shooting targets for kids.
Lost all meaning by Imbue, Digbeth, Birmingham
A bullet for a 3D printed gun.

The theme of 3D printing ran through the exhibition, with the interplay of technology and everyday life presented not only to shock but also to make you think.

Lost all meaning by Imbue, Digbeth, Birmingham
Liquidising Alexa which I have to admit is such a good idea.

Two large exhibits dominated the centre of the warehouse. The horse made from Amazon boxes must have stood 12 metres tall, as shown in the photos. Quite a few home deliveries were needed to construct this horse. To my mind, it resembled a Trojan Horse. Very fitting, as we bring Amazon boxes into our homes without a moment’s thought.

Lost all meaning by Imbue, Digbeth, Birmingham
The Amazon Boxes Horse.

The other large exhibit was a veiled statue that Imbue had secretly scanned during a visit to the Louvre. The replica of Antonio Corradini’s Femme Voilée rotated in front of a bank of 3D printers. Small white statues were being printed and stored in a box, ready to be sold. This work raised many questions: how is it possible to scan such famous statues and then make them accessible to all? Did Imbue “steal” the statue from the Louvre, or is this simply how art will be shared in the future?

Lost all meaning by Imbue, Digbeth, Birmingham
The veiled lady in front of a bank of 3D printing machines.
Lost all meaning by Imbue, Digbeth, Birmingham
A reflection of the veiled lady in the 3D printing window.
Lost all meaning by Imbue, Digbeth, Birmingham
The one that I want.

There were many other exhibits, too many to describe in detail. There are several accounts of the exhibition on the Internet each featuring their favoured artwork.

Personally, my favourite work was DNArk. I am currently watching a cheesy but entertaining TV series on the Syfy channel called The Ark, where the last of humanity is sent into space carrying the DNA of the animal world. Imbue’s artwork consists of a transparent boat with multiple rows of red vials representing DNA samples. It left me wondering: how are we going to preserve the world’s DNA if we keep destroying the environment?

Lost all meaning by Imbue, Digbeth, Birmingham
DNArk

The bonus of the visit was meeting Imbue himself and taking his picture. He was open to conversation and happy to discuss his artwork and the ideas behind it. The exhibition only ran for a few days, but I will be on the lookout for his future work. Imbue has created artwork that resonates with today’s technology, cleverly weaving in references to past masters while exploring how we interact with the modern world. The role of religion seems to have morphed into technology, as people reinvent the world around them.

Lost all meaning by Imbue, Digbeth, Birmingham
The artist, Imbue.

As a photographer, I appreciated how the exhibition was staged against the backdrop of an old industrial engineering workshop. The natural light from the ceiling windows and the texture of the walls provided the perfect setting for the artwork. As always, I used my X100VI for most of the pictures, whilst favouring my iPhone’s wide-angle lens for the overall views.

Lost all meaning by Imbue, Digbeth, Birmingham
Lost all Meaning.

I found this exhibition space interesting as last year I was at the same place for the final day of the Floodgate an entertainment complex. As ever Digbeth changes and I have added my blog link below.

The Confetti Fields, Wick, Pershore, June 20225

This year, the Real Confetti Company offered evening viewings of the Confetti Fields for the first time, and I signed up immediately. There is always a short window when the Confetti Fields at Wick, near Pershore, open to the public. The weather and the timing of the delphinium blooms have a significant influence on this.

The Confetti Fields, Wick, Pershore, June 20225
The view from the top of the field looking down towards Bredon Hill.

Although the dates did not suit the family calendar during the day, the evening timing worked for me. On a warm June evening, I arrived at the fields two hours before sunset.

The Confetti Fields, Wick, Pershore, June 20225
On top of the viewing platform.
The Confetti Fields, Wick, Pershore, June 20225
The Delphinium flowers

As always, the vibrant colours of the flowers, neatly arranged in colour zones, were quite magical. The evening opening meant the field was less busy, allowing time to take pictures without the usual distractions of people walking through the lanes and avenues. When I arrived, the light was excellent and really brought out the colours. I met up with fellow photographer Dave Wells, and we were able to compare notes as we took our pictures.

The Confetti Fields, Wick, Pershore, June 20225
The wildflowers were spectacular.
The Confetti Fields, Wick, Pershore, June 20225
Colour contrasts in the field.

Unfortunately, a sunset never materialised. The sun disappeared behind clouds on the horizon, and rain arrived just as we were leaving. However, this did not dampen my enthusiasm for photographing the flowers. Enjoy the pictures—and I have provided links to previous visits to the Confetti Fields in 2023, 2020, 2019, and 2018.

The Confetti Fields, Wick, Pershore, June 20225
Three empty chairs.
The Golden Lion, Hard Hat Tour, Birmingham Conservation Society, Canon Hill Park, birmingham, June 2025

The Golden Lion is a building with a long and varied history. Walk along the main path in Canon Hill Park, and you will soon come across it. The scaffolding surrounding the structure gives its location away. You then realise that it commands a striking view of the green space, the boating lake, and the MAC.

The Golden Lion, Hard Hat Tour, Birmingham Conservation Society, Canon Hill Park, birmingham, June 2025
Hard Hats at the Ready.

The Golden Lion has served many purposes over the years, including being used as a living space, public house, and a cricket pavilion. Its original location was on Deritend High Street, but it was moved to Canon Hill Park in 1911. If you wish to learn more about its background, the Birmingham Conservation Trust (BCT) website is a good place to start.

The Golden Lion, Hard Hat Tour, Birmingham Conservation Society, Canon Hill Park, birmingham, June 2025
The outside scaffolding.

This blog describes my hard hat tour of the Golden Lion, organised by the BCT. Irene from the Trust was our guide, and she explained that restoration work on the building would soon begin. Only a few tours were scheduled before work commenced, so this was a rare opportunity to see inside the structure before any changes took place.

The Golden Lion, Hard Hat Tour, Birmingham Conservation Society, Canon Hill Park, birmingham, June 2025
Inside the Golden Lion, Ground Floor inspecting the ceiling.
The Golden Lion, Hard Hat Tour, Birmingham Conservation Society, Canon Hill Park, birmingham, June 2025
Looking at the walls.
The Golden Lion, Hard Hat Tour, Birmingham Conservation Society, Canon Hill Park, birmingham, June 2025
Looking up to the roof and the space where orignially there was a second floor.

Irene was full of enthusiasm. As she explained both the history and the upcoming plans for the building, it became clear how closely the two are connected. We donned our hard hats and entered. Since the windows were boarded up, we needed torches to see. We were warned about low ceilings—and spiders. The latter, we were told, were actually a good sign, as they indicated that bats had not nested in the building, which would have delayed the restoration.

The Golden Lion, Hard Hat Tour, Birmingham Conservation Society, Canon Hill Park, Birmingham, June 2025
Debris on the floor.

We explored the ground floor and then the first floor. Debris lay scattered on the floors, and shards of light pierced through cracks in the walls. Despite this, the building was remarkably dry and structurally intact. Small holes in the walls provided natural ventilation, allowing the building to dry out quickly after rain.

As we moved through the space, there were clear reminders of its previous uses as a cricket pavilion and a ranger’s office. These later modifications were visible on the interior walls. There were fittings for benches, and the windows had been fitted with modern locks and latches. Originally, the building had another floor, and the outlines of where it once stood could still be seen on the walls. Early records from the 1851 census report that up to 50 people once lived in and around the building when it stood in Deritend. This included the courtyard at the rear where there were 6 small (slum) dwellings

The Golden Lion, Hard Hat Tour, Birmingham Conservation Society, Canon Hill Park, Birmingham, June 2025
Going down the stairs

The visit was fascinating, and the history embedded in the walls came alive during our conversations. I am looking forward to seeing the Golden Lion restored and given a new lease of life. Thank you to the Birmingham Conservation Trust for organising the visit, and to Irene for being such an informative and enthusiastic guide. Finally a special thanks to Pat Rodwell for obtaining tickets.

There is a good article with arguably better pictures by Birmingham Live in 2024

If you are interested in exploring historical buildings around Birmingham which are a lot safer and accessible then I would recommend a visit to Selly Manor as my blog shows below.

Epic Graffiti, Birmingham Digbeth and Southside, June 2025.

Birmingham is being spray-painted, and colourful graffiti is appearing on walls around the city. There is a vibrant street art scene in Birmingham, centred in and around Digbeth. The artwork has spread out to the Southside, with several walls and car parks receiving their share of art. New pieces are always appearing in Digbeth, and I have recorded photographs of the area over the last few weeks. Some of these will if not already disapper to be either painted over or lost to redevelopment.

Epic Graffiti, Birmingham Digbeth and Southside, June 2025.
Mural that pays tribute to Henry Chalfont and his pictures on NYC subway graffiti. Credits to @inkiegraffiti @acid_face_with_a_brace@graffitiartistcom @insanelylerky #kesh 
Epic Graffiti, Birmingham Digbeth and Southside, June 2025.
Colourful welcome sign brightens up Southside.

Street art activity increases during the Hi Vis festival, which is an annual celebration of the Hip Hop community. The festival has moved from Digbeth to become a large public event in Southside. To coincide with the festival, the exhibition The Epic Story of Graffiti Through the Lens of Henry Chalfant opened in the Bullring, just off Rotunda Square. This was the subject of a previous blog post.

Epic Graffiti, Birmingham Digbeth and Southside, June 2025.
Digbeth – no parking @gent48
Epic Graffiti, Birmingham Digbeth and Southside, June 2025.
Digbeth colours against a blue sky. (artist TBC)

The exhibition inspired me to undertake a photographic walkabout in both Southside and Digbeth. This collection of photographs, taken in the first week of June, is a snapshot of the vibrant scene. As a photographer, I enjoy capturing street art and aim to vary my pictures — from close-ups to wider shots showing the environment. Including people in the images often provides a useful human element.

Epic Graffiti, Birmingham Digbeth and Southside, June 2025.
Walk like an Egyptian. A colourful take in Southside. (artist TBC)
Epic Graffiti, Birmingham Digbeth and Southside, June 2025.
Mixture of paste up posters and street art with a message. Seen in Digbeth. @brumpasteup on the top @ginger_dan on the lower level.
Epic Graffiti, Birmingham Digbeth and Southside, June 2025.
Walk in the light (artist TBC)
Epic Graffiti, Birmingham Digbeth and Southside, June 2025.
Just love the glasses and the overall feel of this mural by VOID ONE

The art is public, although I try, where possible, to learn the names behind the work so I can credit the artists. Occasionally, it is not possible, but I am always happy to update my blog and amend the details.

Epic Graffiti, Birmingham Digbeth and Southside, June 2025.
NFA crew – once a hostel now just letters.
Epic Graffiti, Birmingham Digbeth and Southside, June 2025.
Just so you know. This is Digbeth!
Epic Graffiti, Birmingham Digbeth and Southside, June 2025.
Murals around the new building going up next to Selfridges. (artist TBC)

Finally @mrmurals is painting a nice piece of work on Navigation Street near to New Street Station. The subject is Black Sabbath and the photorealistic work is very eye catching. A great tribute to one of the great heavy metal bands of all time.

Epic Graffiti, Birmingham Digbeth and Southside, June 2025.
Careful you do not trip over the guys in Black Sabbath.

If you like this blog then please visit my blog on the Epic Story of Graffiti which inspired me to go out and photograph the streets of Brum.

The Epic Story of Graffiti, through the lens of Henry Chalfont, Rotunda Square Bullring, Birmingham, June 2025

This photography exhibition celebrated the work of Henry Chalfant Living in New York City in the early seventies and eighties. Chalfant befriended the newly emerging Graffiti artists who were painting the subway trains.  The city was run down and there was rampant crime and homelessness.  Businesses left the city leaving behing areas with problems of drugs and homelessness.  The subway system reflected this period of decay with fewer people willing to risk journeys due to crime and train breakdowns.  Young people started spray painting the trains in the depots.  This upset New Yorkers who did not like the tagging of the subway trains as to them it epitomised the depth of decay.  

The picture shows several boards with the subway trains meticulously photographed in their number order.
The Exhibition Entrance featured the photography of Henry Chalfont.

I remember visiting Manhattan in 1980 and 1988.  There were still no-go areas such as the area around Alphabet City and I visited St Patrick’s cathedral the day after a killing in the church. But I do remember the exciting and energetic Greenwich Village gay parade that took place during my visit in 1988.  There was a feeling of new life and the city was regenerating and rediscovering itself. 

The picture shows several boards with the subway trains meticulously photographed in their number order.
The details of the subway carriages. Many of these designs are gone but recorded as pictures.

Roll forward 40 plus years and the young spray painters are now world-renowned artists.  The exciting music scene of Hip Hop sprung out from this period.  

The picture shows several boards with the subway trains meticulously photographed in their number order.
The set out and curation of the pictures was cleverly done.

The Epic Story of Graffiti was held in one of the empty department stores in the Bullring.  This was brought to Birmingham by Birmingham Hippodrome and Soul City Arts. On opening night, this colourful exhibition brought Chalfont to Birmingham and the pictorial history of graffiti and hip hop was celebrated.  The exhibition was curated by one of our very own street artists, Muhammed Ali Aerosol.  I visited on a quiet mid-week morning and had the place to myself.  A visually striking display of countless trains tagged with graffiti was on a long display board.  I found it fascinating looking at all the artistic designs sprayed on the trains.  Chalfont had paid attention to  small details such as lining up all the trains in numerical order.  

The picture shows several boards with the subway trains meticulously photographed in their number order.
Watching the video on Hip Hop.

There were pictures of the young artists and moving displays that made you feel as if you were in an underground station.  I sat and watched a video about hip hop and interviews with the young New Yorkers excitedly telling the interviewer about their life.  I also enjoyed reading the quotes that were placed around the exhibition.

The Epic Story of Graffiti, through the lens of Henry Chalfont, Rotunda Square Bullring, Birmingham, June 2025
Ready for Hip Hop
The Epic Story of Graffiti, through the lens of Henry Chalfont, Rotunda Square Bullring, Birmingham, June 2025
This quote is so true.

I had spent time before the exhibition opened photographing the Graffiti in Digbeth so I was in the right space to appreciate the brilliant photography of Henry Chalfont and what the exhibition had to offer. There is a further in depth review by BBC Birmingham.

Finally a nostalgic view of the streets of NYC from 1980 when I visited as I student.

The Epic Story of Graffiti, through the lens of Henry Chalfont, Rotunda Square Bullring, Birmingham, June 2025
Streets of NYC, August 1980.

I love to photography Graffiti and Digbeth offers the best of the street art in the City. Here is one of my blogs on Digbeth.

Cotswolds Motoring Museum, Bourton-on-the-water, May 2025

Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the most picturesque and popular spots in the Cotswolds. I assumed a Monday in May might mean fewer visitors – but I was mistaken. Arriving just after 10 a.m., I found the crowds already beginning to arrive.  Fortunately, I managed to take a few photos of the village’s iconic bridges before too many people started crossing them.

Cotswolds Motoring Museum, Bourton-on-the-water, May 2025
The picturesque scenes at Bourton-on-the-water,

My main reason for visiting was to explore the Cotswold Motoring Museum, recommended by Dom – a fellow photographer and Land Rover employee with a deep knowledge of classic cars.

Tucked beside the River Windrush, this boutique museum is much bigger than it looks from the outside. The moment you step in, you sense the passion and attention to detail that has gone into the displays. The exhibits are filled with character. From ceiling to floor, every corner is packed with motoring history. Overhead, the ceiling is covered in vintage motoring items. Inside the cars, there are artefacts matching the era each vehicle comes from. 

My personal favourite was the Hillman Imp, the first car I ever drove and owned – a lovely bit of nostalgia. I have a soft spot for car badges and handlamps too – all that polished chrome is a dream for capturing reflections.

Cotswolds Motoring Museum, Bourton-on-the-water, May 2025
A Hillman Imp similar to my first car.
Cotswolds Motoring Museum, Bourton-on-the-water, May 2025
Wonderful details.
Cotswolds Motoring Museum, Bourton-on-the-water, May 2025
Lots of Chrome work.

There is also an impressive collection of model cars. The whole museum feels like a tribute to the motoring enthusiast, especially with its vintage car toys and signs. It may have a slightly male feel, but the charm is universal.

Cotswolds Motoring Museum, Bourton-on-the-water, May 2025
Part of the extensive range of model cars.

The final room brought a smile to everyone’s face: Brum, the little car loved by children across generations. All my children watched Brum when they were younger, and it was lovely to see it featured so prominently.

Cotswolds Motoring Museum, Bourton-on-the-water, May 2025
Everyone’s favourite little car – Brum,

Other highlights included old road signs, which I found particularly fascinating, and a cheerful section on vintage caravanning, full of colour and character.

Leaving the museum, I was greeted by warm sunshine. I found a spot to enjoy lunch outdoors – ideal for a bit of people watching in the buzzing village centre.

Next Stop: Hawkstone Brewery

Cotswolds Motoring Museum, Bourton-on-the-water, May 2025
Familiar faces in the mural at Hawkstone Brewery.

On my way home, I stopped at the Hawkstone Brewery, where a large mural of Jeremy Clarkson celebrates the brewery’s link with Diddly Squat Farm. A quirky and fun end to a thoroughly enjoyable day.

Final Thoughts

Bourton-on-the-Water may be busy, but it is always worth the visit. The Cotswold Motoring Museum exceeded expectations – full of nostalgia, stories, and surprises. Add in good weather, a relaxing lunch, and a quick brewery stop, and it made for a perfect Cotswolds outing.

Cotswolds Motoring Museum, Bourton-on-the-water, May 2025
Colours in the Museum

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The Cotswolds is a lovely area of England and if you wish to see more of my photographs of this part of the world then follow my blog link below.

Poppy Field, Witherley, Atherstone, May 2025

The poppy season does throw up surprises. Most poppy fields in the West Midlands are found around Bewdley and Kidderminster. Last year, there was a spectacular field in Kinver. Occasionally, a field appears closer to home, such as in Leamington Spa. This year’s surprise poppy field which was initially photographed by Jack March, a fellow weather watcher based around Nuneaton. He had posted some striking pictures taken in a poppy field in Leicestershire which were featured on the BBC.

Poppy Field, Witherley, Atherstone, May 2025
The dramatic red of the poppies at dusk.

After some internet detective work, it became clear that the field was in Witherley, a charming village just outside Atherstone — only a 30-minute drive from home. As soon as I discovered the location, I checked the weather forecast. The month of May had brought good weather, though a change was expected later in the month. Fortunately, the forecast looked promising for the evening and the following morning. It was time for action. I packed my camera kit and tripod into the car and set off for Witherley to catch the evening light.

Poppy Field, Witherley, Atherstone, May 2025
Sunset on the poppy field.

Finding the field was straightforward compared to some other locations I have written about. It was both easy to find and to access. When I arrived, two photographers were already there, focusing on close-ups of the poppies. I parked at the top of the field, and walked down towards the village along the side of the poppies. I found a good vantage point and began taking photographs. I captured some lovely images of the church bathed in the warm evening light. Looking back up the field, I noticed the sun setting beautifully over the crest. I quickly reset my camera to catch several shots of the golden sunset. The poppies glowed, their paper-thin red petals shimmering with life and shadows of nearby flowers. Poppy fields lend themselves both to sweeping landscapes and intimate portraits of individual flowers. Time passed quickly, and soon dusk settled in. I stayed to capture the colours of the clouds and the twilight. As the temperature dropped sharply, I was grateful for the warmth of the car once it had heated up.

Poppy Field, Witherley, Atherstone, May 2025
One of many close ups of the flowers.
Poppy Field, Witherley, Atherstone, May 2025
Panorama of the field

It was a superb poppy field. I had enjoyed the evening session so much that I decided to return the next morning. With sunset at 9:00 pm in late May, I knew sunrise would be early — at 5:00 am. After just a few hours of sleep, I was up again and back with the poppies before dawn. This time, I parked closer to the village and entered the field via the footpath. I made my way to the opposite side and settled in to await the sunrise. The field is bordered on the west by the River Anker. As the sun began to rise, the scene transformed. Mist started to rise from the river and slowly spread across the field. For a surreal five to ten minutes, the entire field was shrouded in mist. Just as suddenly as it appeared, the mist lifted as the sun’s warmth burned it away.

Poppy Field, Witherley, Atherstone, May 2025
The rise of mist from the river Anker.
Poppy Field, Witherley, Atherstone, May 2025
Sunlight bursting through the poppies.
Poppy Field, Witherley, Atherstone, May 2025
Close ups of the different poppies taking in the sunrise.
Poppy Field, Witherley, Atherstone, May 2025
Mist hanging over the poppy filed.

The sunrise was glorious, and I took many photographs with the cameras I had brought. The iPhone, always a reliable companion, captured some great shots as well. Eventually, there comes a point where you know you have taken enough pictures. Unbeknown to me, Jack March,  the weather watcher himself, had been observing me and taking photos. I was so engrossed in my work that I had not realised he was there. At the end of the session, as I returned to my car, I met Jack, who had been waiting. Jack is an excellent photographer, and I have long admired his work. We had a fantastic chat about the poppy field, weather watching, and photography in general. I even took a selfie of us with the poppy field in the background. After saying our goodbyes, I set off home to review and post my pictures.

Epilogue

There was another benefit from this trip to Witherley. On my way home after the evening session, I took a short detour to Church End Brewery. I found it tucked away behind Ridge Lane in a small village near Nuneaton. The tap room was open, and I came away with bottles of Fallen Angel and Goat’s Milk pale ale. It was a perfect photographic outing — capturing poppies at both sunset and sunrise, and returning home with some excellent beers for the evenings to come.

Church End Brewery, Nuneaton, May 2025
A few bottles brought at Church End Brewery to help during editing of my pictures.

If you enjoyed the latest addition to my poppy field journey then please read last year’s visit to Kinver. There are many other places I have visited and sadly some of these fields are no more. However, there are good memories of these places.

Birmingham BnW, May 2025

I took a walk from Snow Hill train station up towards Edgbaston village where I had a meeting. This is a collection of 10 images in black and white from my walk. All taken with my Fujifilm x100vi and converted to monochrome.

Enjoyed this, then read some more about Birmingham in Black and White.

Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025

Halifax, Nova Scotia is a city alive with creativity. During my visit for an ultrasonics symposium, I discovered just how vibrant and artistic the city is especially when it comes to street art. Between conference sessions, I made time to explore. Dr Andrew Mathieson is on the board of UIA and also lives in Dartmouth.  Andrew kindly shared recommendations of the city with the conference delegates. When I mentioned my love for street art, he immediately suggested I visit Quinpool Road.  This is a student-friendly area just behind the Halifax Citadel.

On the last day of the conference, the sessions wrapped up early, giving me a free afternoon. The sun was shining as I set off on foot, making my way through the lively Dalhousie University campus. Students filled the walkways and the place was buzzing with energy.

Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Quinpool Road and a tantalising glimpse of a mural.

Arriving at the head of Quinpool Road, I was disappointed. There were one or two artistic pieces here and there, but not the mural-rich environment I had been told about. I passed by Dilly Dally Coffee Shop, still searching.  Behind the cafe at the intersection of Quinpool and Vernon, I found beautifully crafted lettering by mural artist Kristen De Palma (@kdpletters | kdpletters.com). Her work stands out in an otherwise hidden spot.

Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Colourful Typography by by mural artist Kristen De Palma.

I was still looking for more murals and asked a local resident for guidance. They gave me a valuable tip: “Look around — check the alleyways and look behind buildings.”

The first large mural I encountered was on the Recreation Nova Scotia building.  This was a striking blue mural of local fishing boats by Dom Laporte. From that moment on I began to notice murals everywhere.

Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
A blue harbour scene mural by Dom Laporte

Across the street stood the old cinema building which is now home to a climbing gym and a brewery. On the wall there was a quote from The Wizard of Oz, commemorating one of the final films screened there in 2017. This nostalgic piece was painted by @alexjfowkes.

Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Tribute to the Wizard of Oz.

One of my personal favourites was tucked away in a car park just off the main road. Titled Cattails and Pansies, the mural by Montreal-based artist Bosny (@bosny.jpg) pulled me into its intricate details. His artistic approach invites viewers to slow down and look more closely at the style of the artwork.

Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Cattails and Pansies, by the artist Bosny 

As I walked towards the more residential end of Quinpool Road, I came across a dominant mural on the wall of Pro Skates across from Oddfellows Barbershop. Created by Jeks One (@jeks_nc) the mural honours the late John Dunsworth, best known for playing Jim Lahey on the cult Canadian series Trailer Park Boys, which is set in the fictional Sunnyvale Trailer Park in nearby Dartmouth.  Although I am not familiar with the show, I appreciated the care and character captured in this tribute.

Cattails and Pansies, the mural by Montreal-based artist Bosny 
Trailer Park Boys

On the return walk, I found more murals, including a wonderfully detailed wall painting outside Busan Korean BBQ. Created by local artist Dan Burt, it is a vibrant homage to Quinpool Road’s history.  The artwork is full of local references, stories, and even a bus seemingly rising from the pavement.

Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Seen outside on the wall of the Busan Korean BBQ
Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
A street scene with a real bus!

Other pieces had no listed artist but were just as memorable. Even the electrical power boxes had been transformed and were painted with bright, creative designs. 

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Other examples of street art along Quinpool Road.

Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Love Evolves
Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Colours on the old Cinema.

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Quinpool Road is a lively area with restaurants and shops. The people who live and work there seem to accept that their everyday lives are part of the artwork, making it an ideal place for street photography.  This student road is just one example of street murals in Halifax .

More examples of street art around Halifax – seen outside Pier 22, where the cruise ships arrive.

Pier 22, Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Reflections in the rain
Pier 22, Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Puffins and Deck Chairs
Pier 22, Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Lighthouse on the pier.

Halifax harbour waterfront.

Pier 22, Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Surfing the Wave
Halifax waterfront, Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
An Eagle mural by Warrior
Halifax waterfront, Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Sunrise on the pier

Street Murals on Burlington Street walking Northwards

Burlington Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Colourful walls
Burlington Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Piano players
Burlington Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Rainbow shaking hands
Burlington Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Mural depicting the people of Halifax

From large-scale murals to hidden gems, Halifax is a city full of colour, character, and creativity. If you are an enthusiast for street art and love to photograph such murals then Halifax offers many opportunities. Quinpool Road stands out but there are many other places where colourful art greets you.  I did enjoy walking along the streets of Halifax looking out for examples of murals on buildings. 

Much of the background information I gathered came from the Discover Halifax website which is an excellent resource for anyone keen to explore the city’s artistic side. I have not been able to list all the artists and for this I apologise. Please let me know and I will add your name to the list.

Further blog reading

I do enjoy taking pictures of street art along with the street photography that goes along with it. Two of my blogs will lead you into more UK based street art. Please feel free to browse through the articles.