When visiting the Back to Backs in Birmingham, your booking includes an hour and a half tour of the premises. The buildings were built with speed and were cheap to both buy and live in. In 1870, Birmingham was undergoing tremendous change as people were coming into the city looking for work. The backs to backs were quickly put up to accommodate the increasing population. The buildings now blend into the modern landscape around this area of Birmingham known as Southside.
Back to backs entrance on Hurst Street.
Our National Trust guide was Dick, who met us outside on Hurst street and after an introductory talk of the background to the Back to Backs led us into the buildings. We started in the yard and this was followed by the inside tour of the Back to backs known as Court 15. The rooms are small and negotiating the staircases between the properties is challenging. As we progressed through the 4 houses that make up the Back to Backs, Dick kept us entertained and informed about how life would have been. Through his descriptions of the people, we began to understand what living in these cramped houses meant and learnt how these humble residences were much loved family homes.
Pictures from the Yard of Court 15
View of the yard looking towards the first two Back to backs.
– There is a bike, skateboard, a pram and other games that would be part of life.
There are four houses to visit and the first one is an early reproduction of life in the 1870’s. The second house exemplified life of a large family. There were 11 children and often a couple of lodgers were taken in. They all lived in the same place. Space was so scarce that the chest of drawers doubled up as a cot for the baby. Birmingham was known as the City of a 1,000 trades and in this house, the family were proficient at glass work and in particular glass eyes. The properties changed hands at a regular rate yet the occupants of the third property lived in the Back to Backs for most of their lives. This house illustrated how electricity was introduced and there were other comforts such as a radio.
Dinner table set up in the first house.A chamberpot tucked under a bed.Reproduction of elaborate stencilling patterns.The second house accommodated a family of 11 and lodgers. A bed for three youngsters and a curtain partition to the right.Space for the baby.Tools of a toymaker enabling them to make many different items.Fancy a glass eye?Assorted items from the third house.
Court 15 is unusual in that it survived the demolition that took place all around the area. The City removed the back to backs and replaced them with flats and other houses. The reason that these Back to backs survived, is likely to have been the businesses that were associated with them. The National Trust have recreated a tailor’s shop in the final property. George Saunders came from St Kitts and after a variety of jobs set up his tailor’s shop in Court 15. He was an enterprising man and his made to measure suits were sought after by the local clientele. The shop’s position near to the Hippodrome assisted with much of the business in this area.
The tailor’s shop notice the Roy Rodger’s wallpaper.
We started and finished in the communal yard where we visited the communal washhouse. At the end of the tour, I asked Dick if he would be part of my 100 strangers project and he agreed. The picture is taken around the outside toilets which gives an insight to the conditions that people had to endure in the Back to Backs.
The communal wash house.Dick who was our guide pictured holding open the door to one of the outside toilets.
There were many details in the Back to backs that caught my eye. The yard has many angles and props that bring the place to life. There are old prams, bottles, skittles to name a few. Each house is a treasure trove of differing objects including chamber pots and mini work tops where craftsmen worked. The living rooms contained items that would have been commonly used by the family. These rooms have been photographed many times before and I am adding to the many records. For myself the journey was fun as much of it reminded me of my own childhood when I was sitting in family houses around Manchester looking up at the pictures on the walls and the pieces of China on the mantlepiece.
A China miniature reminds me of my childhood view of my grandparent’s house.
The layout of the living quarters were not that dissimilar. The accompanying guidebook is a good companion to your visit to the Back to Backs and beings out more details about the life and times of the people who lived in these unassuming buildings. This year is the 20thanniversary of the renovation of the Back to Backs by the National Trust and I was pleased to be able to visit after passing them so many times in my walks through Birmingham.
A striking picture of what the unrestored rooms looked like in the Back to backs.
If you enjoyed this blog on the Back to backs then please visit my visits to other National Trust properties on my blog. Just search National Trust. I have added one link but there are many more.
All the colourful street art on the walls around Cheltenham Spa have stories to tell. Last year the river of colour captured my imagination and my photography. Returning on a Sunday in July 2024, I was looking forward to photographing a new set of murals. Last year I missed out on visiting the town centre East car park painting area. I also went to the Aggs pavilion and did not visit any of the underpasses. Looking at this year’s audio guide, I planned my walk from the Northeast car park to the HQ at the Two Pigs pub and from there to the East car park. On the way home I planned a stop over at the underpass near CHCQ. That was the plan.
My daughter and grandson came along for the ride. We parked by the North Place car park and I took a few pictures of the artists. There were a couple of mural artists that I recognised from my Digbeth and Shoreditch travels. Noah started a trend of posing in front of those murals he liked such as the cyclist. We then grabbed a bite to eat at Mowgli’s before exploring the Festival. The Brewery Quarter is one of the sponsors of the Festival so pleased I did my bit by eating there.
On our walk to the Two Pigs pub, we encountered several murals. Having a camera out and about on the day of the Festival looks normal and helps with the street photography.
Ideal day out for Street Photography with work by the talented @pogo.stencilsThe work of @Perspicereaetist is mesmerising and is all done by strings
The Two Pigs Pub
The pub was quiet on the Sunday lunchtime with a few artists out painting in the back yard. When photographing the work, I always aim to get the painter’s permission for a picture. I know that street art is public work but I still believe it is polite that you get the artist’s blessing for the picture. As you see, I enjoy recording how they interact with their artwork. Knowing the person behind the work gives the bigger picture and tells the story about the mural. There were many ‘faves’ in this area and my pictures show the range and variety of work. I did like the train ticket murals and the happy faces at the pop up shop in the pub.
Painting in the yard with @vanemg.art I love this landscape image and could spend hours looking at this country scene by Snug OneNoah lines up with the bear of @GeorgieartistFriendly faces at the Cheltenham Paint Festival shop.Poster by @johnmanspraycanShop items
East car park
Inside the car park there are stunning murals. Outside a painting by @krimsone
Next stop East car park. Once we were signed in by the cheerful volunteers, we were directed up to the top floors where several murals were reaching completion. I stopped to talk to @apparan and @stockartwork. Both were adding the final touches to their work and were happy to be photographed. They also gave me the background about their artwork. @apparan was passionate about her work. “Uprising” highlights how women rise above the struggles they face in life. There were many murals at this venue and the interaction of colour, mural and car park was good for composing pictures. I am sorry I missed @sould_art as she was very kind advertising my blog last year. The camaraderie and friendly atmosphere that permeates the two days of the Cheltenham Paint Festival is what attracts me to visit.
beautiful dreamy colours from @must_mesThis artwork by @sould_art was a favourite of Noah. Love the colours 😉So good to meet up with the talented @apparan@Stockeartworks agreed to have his portrait taken with the essential gear of a street artist.Light, lines, shadows and concrete in the car park. Artist to be namedThis is the top floor.@sledoneA selection of art work in the car park
Some artists to be named in above pictures
Sherbourne place car park
Exiting the car park I realised that we were near to some of the new art that was being done at Sherbourne place car park which was just next door. There was an epic and expansive mural by @Dale_Grimshaw. Furthermore, there was a wonderful fun message below the beautiful mural. Girl painters need a dinosaur was done by @chinagirltile. Having granddaughters who love painting, these words are spot on and do resonate. There was also work on display by another artist who was coming to the end of his painting. We had a good chat but he looked tired after all his work in the sun.
A grand style mural by @dale_grimshaw with a fun message by @chinagirltile underneathBeing a dinosaur notice by @chinagirltileAt the end of the paint Artist to be named.Super tones to this mural @voidoneuk
On the way back there was a previous mural by Curtis Hylton to see and then there was another look at the artwork in North street car park. I took out my Yashika film camera and took a few pictures. The film will be developed in a week’s time so I am interested how the pictures turn out. We walked back to the car and drove to the underpass which was on the A40 not far from the GCHQ building.
The underpass was alive with artists painting on the downward slopes and then into the underpass. You get drawn to certain pieces of art and I met @pad303 who was painting an Evel Knievel mural under one of the arches. The model bike with action figure placed on a box next to his spray cans was a super touch to the proceedings. There were many other artists at work and I took many pictures underneath and around the Arle Court area. There was so much variation and colour in the artwork. I may well miss out on several names of artists around here but I will try my best.
Evel Knievel model in the foreground and pad303 and mural at the back.The serpent and the paint cans by @erika.rosendaleDramatic mural nearing completion. @doppelwashereBe careful where you park your bike (Artist – Syd)You just gotta smile @ajarts_hadland
What caught my eye at Arle court was the leading lines and intersections as the colourful images interact with the concrete and steel. So much texture and colours. The light and shadows in the underpass provided different ideas for picture composition. I used the available light to line up silhouettes of the people against the entrance. All murals blended in well with their surroundings. I could have spent a long time here but I knew that the trip back home up to Solihull was a pressing matter as we wanted to leave early to avoid the motorway jams.
Silhouettes under the A40Looking west.Looking east and @5kyh1gh mural is down to the left.Taking in the work of the festival. This work is by Skewer.Expansive work by @7th_PencilColourful work by @artsee_eMy final picture of the day before heading home was this work by Memphis.
Memories of the Day
The Cheltenham Paint Fest is a day out with a difference. There is the chance to go shopping and enjoy the Regency architecture of the town. The paint festival is an added bonus to your visit and one not to be missed. I must thank Dice67.co.uk and his team for all the excellent work and the ever so helpful volunteers. The quality of the artwork is high and a privilege to view the artistic output of so many talented people. Great memories to hold onto whilst we wait for next year’s festival.
Thanks to Andy Dice Davies who is the lead of the organising committee for putting the Cheltenham Paint Festival together. All the volunteers were helpful and eager to direct you to the different areas. Thank you to all the artists who were happy to have their picture taken and chat to me. I was the guy with the Cowboy hat and silver camera. Sorry I could not see every mural but if you want a good idea of what was going on please follow Max Johnson (@moxsblag) where she documents many of the artists and their work. She is a good photographer too. All pictures were taken with my Fujifilm x100vi which excelled in the low light situations of the East Car Park and Arle Court Underpass. I have tried to name all artists wherever possible and will update my account as soon as I learn the names of the artists. I recommend Inspiring City website which has an extensive write up with pictures of the Cheltenham Paint Festival 2024.
If you enjoyed this then be sure to sign up to the Cheltenham Paint Festival site. Also you may wish to read my account of last year’s festival.
Black and white landscapes appear to be one of my specialities. I do not necessarily look for them but they seem to find me. I was very pleased to receive an honourable mention in the MonoVisions 2024 international photographic competition. This was a picture taken in Wychwood Wood which is local to me and surprisingly not a place that I have visited until recently. The tree trunks in the picture remind me of two people dancing. Whilst the trees are not able to shout, they can twist and turn. Full details of the competition and the honourable mention are on the web site. I was successful in the Monovisions landscape category in 2001 and 2003.
The alarm was set at 4.15am but I was awake long before the music “Insomnia” kicked off my waking routine. Early starts are a necessary evil if the early bird wants to catch the preverbal worm. Within 20 minutes, the dog had been out and I was ready to leave with a hot cup of coffee in a thermos. My destination was Middleton Lakes RSPB where I wanted to photograph the wildlife. The lakes are easy to get to from the M42 and there was no traffic at that time of the morning. Passing the Aston Villa Bodymoor training grounds I reached the lakes and parked the car. There was a lovely mist over the meadows and when I passed over the canal there was a dreamy quality about the air. I was the only person around and had the place to myself.
A canal boat on the Birmingham and Fazeley CanalEarly morning flightFirst light on the lakesButterflies are back and soaking up the sun.Fish are jumping and catching flies.
Then there was the decision, the wetlands or the woodlands. I am glad I made the decision to visit the lakes. The Canada Geese were taking turns to set off on group flybys In the lake, I saw fish jumping out of the water to catch insects on the water. I saw a heron and other birds which I need to identify. The butterflies were waking up and enjoying the sunshine. I moved onto the meadows to see if there were any owls hunting. Whilst the owls were not out the Konik ponies were moving around. I walked around the meadow and came close to the riverbanks where there were several dragonflies and damsel flies. I was not quick enough to catch the dragonflies but the damsel flies were more sluggish. The sun was warming up the vegetation and my landscape picture was selected for the main BBC weather photograph. One downside is that there were many midges around and I found later that day that I had picked up many insect bites that persisted for several days afterwards.
A heron waits patiently.Looking for fish from above.A damselfly takes in the sunMy picture on the BBC Midlands evening news.
If you enjoyed this visit to Middleton Lakes RSPB then please read my previous blog.
Exploring Birmingham in the early morning is a great pastime and the city opens up for many different photographic opportunities. One morning in July, I moved towards the law courts with no particular plan other than to take some street photography pictures. My eye always finds something that looks different and as I looked down towards Birmingham Crown Court and the Maclaren building, I noticed a metallic structure in the form of a triangle. I set off to investigate. I discovered a new square amongst all the newly built office blocks and student residences.
The metal branches reach out to the surrounding buildings.There is little colour in the square.A solitary figure walks up the steps
The architecture of the square may simply be described as brutal. Lots of concrete pavements and to one side, someone has “planted” three metallic trees with pointed branches that reach up to the sky seeking a sun above the concrete. This is a wonderful place for photography and I took many pictures with both my iPhone and Fujifilm x100vi camera. People stop in the square, taking a seat whilst waiting for their bus to arrive on the Priory Queensway. There is a restaurant on one side of the square that may look out of place but a search on the web shows that it has received good reviews. There is a bleak passageway that leads onto the Masshouse residential buildings. These flats were built around 10 years ago but are now looking a touch tired. A lone Palestinian flag hangs from one of the building balconies. The metal triangle that first caught my eye, is some form of decorative cover which adds to all the sharp angles and hard brutal feel to the square.
A lone Palestinian flag hangs from one of the balconies on Masshouse.The metal triangular structure that caught my eye.An abstract image of the metal branches.
In summary another brutalist concrete jungle with the ironic touch of metal trees. The square makes for great photographic opportunities although I am not sure I would wish to live and work in the area.
Web link – if you like concrete then you will enjoy this blog entry.
The HS2 construction is transforming the landscape around the Curzon Street building. Once this was a sleepy backwater and a relatively quiet part of Birmingham. However first came Millennium Point and then the ThinkTank museum. Then HS2 rolled into town. Birmingham City University also moved location so that they were near to the station. This series of pictures provides a construction update of the area and the viaducts that will carry the trains into the station which are starting to appear. The area around the Birmingham canal allows a view of the enormous construction taking place.
Back in 2013 the scene was very quiet then before construction began.20202024
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Life goes on around the HS2 changes.Curzon street is quiet for now. This will be a busy station thoroughfare in the future.The scene from the canal onto the City.Viaduct sentinelsCranes oversee the site.
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A few interesting stories developed whilst I was taking pictures. I added to my 100 strangers project whilst I was walking around the perimeter of the HS2 development works. As I was taking pictures over the canal bridge looking towards the new viaducts for the trains, I met Mace who was from London. He was on a stopover in Birmingham on his journey to Scotland. He immediately engaged me in conversation and was a lively personality. After discussing the state of play of the HS2 and Birmingham, he willingly posed for my 100 strangers’ project. (More of this photographic project at a later date). The sun was out creating lighting difficulties so I asked Mace to stand under the shade. In the portrait, Curzon street is to the right and the view is down towards the ThinkTank museum and Birmingham City University. The new Curzon Street station is further down the road.
Mace who I met on Curzon Street.
Another interesting finding was that to my surprise I found a narrowboat moored up on the other side of the Curzon Street railway bridge near to the Birmingham Gun Barrell proof house. It is a rare sight to see canal boats on this stretch of the canal. However as the area starts to receive more investment then it is likely that such occurrences will be more frequent.
A narrowboat tied up near to the Curzon Rail bridge overlooks the City
One of my photography projects is to photograph the changes occurring in other places of the HS2 development. You may wish to view the changes to 16 acre wood near Berkswell.
The IgersbirminghamUK Icons walk started with a torrential downpour of rain. We met at the Five ways roundabout where we managed to shelter from the rain until we were brave enough to walk down Broad Street. The rain had created many excellent photographic opportunities including people with umbrellas concentrating on avoiding the large puddles.
Reflections of the International Convention Centre, Centenary Square.
The underpass at Five Ways is a busy thoroughfare with both people and delivery bikes moving around. If you stay still then you immediately look suspicious. There was a brief plan of where our walk would take us. The idea was to walk down Broad Street to Centenary Square with a short detour to Oozells Square. From then on we would visit two more squares, Chamberlain and Victoria with our final destination being the Colmore where we could discuss our photographs over a well-earned drink. I have grouped my pictures into several themes.
People
Broad street is always great for street photography with pedestrians undertaking different activities. They may be waiting for the trams or making their way to the theatres and concert halls. There is always the odd surprise such as the suited and booted men on scooters. Surprisingly they were not wearing helmets! Even the cyclist, I captured was not wearing one. The health and safety part of me has seen the results of people not wearing crash helmets. One of my favourites photographs was the picture of two women outside the Library of Birmingham practicing their hip hop dance moves in the window reflections. Other people looked very glum about the weather.
Sharing an umbrella in Broad StreetSuited and bootedCycling Broad Street with the Octagon in the background.Practicing hip hop dance moves.Only the lonely
Signs
Letters are everywhere and a few caught my eye. Popworld was hosting a party and Ozzie was getting wet. There were signs of the cost of living crisis with unopened cans of food left on a bench. A story within a story, as the unopened cans sit on a bench near to the luxury five ways hotel where people can take a Rockstar taxi into the city. Head over to #igbk_meet_icons where one of our photographers focused on the lettering he encountered during our walk.
Ozzy’s signaturePopworldTaxi rank on cobbled stonesContrasts with tins of food and taxis
Icons
There are so many icons on the route and the Black Sabbath bridge over the Birmingham Canals is deserving of your attention. In Centenary Square, there was the obligatory shot of the golden boys statue. The Birmingham family holds a central position in the square and divides popular opinion. My picture shows that the overriding message is about love. The Iron:man by Antony Gormley regularly gets photographed as it is placed at the intersection of many walkways including the tram stop and Town Hall. Finally the Birmingham icon, Benjamin Zachariah, is the subject of an exhibition of his life and works. The pictures and living history of this influential poet and writer are set up near to the New Street entrance to Victoria Square. Biodiversity bear has also taken up residence in the same area. This is a busy place with the trams passing by in their distinguished blue livery.
The Birmingham family is about love.The Golden BoysPictures of Iron:manVictoria Square Icons
Architecture
Birmingham is noted for its brutalist history and love of concrete. The start of our walk at the Auchinleck walkway provides an example of this. However spirits are raised when walking towards Field Marshall Auchinleck’s statue and down Broad Street. The high rise living apartments dwarf the street level buildings and lights. Older buildings fight for space with the newer blocks of architecture. Oozells Square still has presence, even though it is most famous for two weeks of the year when the cherry trees blossom. The reflective pool in Centenary Square was clear of any activity and with the recent rain, the classic picture of the Rep, Library and Hall of Remembrance was taken. A new icon, the Octagon, is rising in the background. The approach to Chamberlain square has a certain grandeur as the buildings on either side guide you to the Council House with the Chamberlain clock and the 103 Colmore Row skyscraper in the background. The security were kind to us and we were able to take photos on this privately owned part of Birmingham without hassle. Reaching Victoria square there is a mixture of construction and exhibitions taking place. Local Brummies will quip, “Birmingham will be good when it is finished”.
The brutalist architecture of Auchinleck underpass at Five WaysView of the top of Broad Street.The old and the new.Classic view of Oozells Square.Reflections of some Birmingham Icons.The approach to Chamberlain SquareVictoria Square and the Benjamin Zachariah exhibition.Tram lightsA regular sight on the streets of Birmingham.
At the Colmore, we had great discussions about our pictures including those that got away. As we left the pub on our way home, the night was coming down allowing the neon lights to feature more in our pictures. The big wheel by the Cathedral invited us to take a few final pictures and then we caught the train home.
The Floodgate featured in one of my favourite pictures which was taken in Floodgate street during the early hours of morning. Although I had never been inside the venue, I have passed the front entrance on many occasions during my photographic visits to Digbeth. When I heard that The Floodgate was closing then I knew that I had to photograph the place before it closed. On a Friday afternoon, which was the penultimate day of the venue being open, I ventured into the place and brought a drink at the bar. I asked the staff whether I could take photographs of the inside and they kindly said that I could go ahead. So a big thank you to them for this blog.
Baseball cagesThe Floodgate RacewayBeth who works at the Floodgate with artwork in the background.
The Floodgate is one large games entertainment venue with curling, baseball, table golf and model car racing amongst the sports that punters can take part in. I met Beth who worked in the Floodgate. Beth explained that the Floodgate was closing due to the sky-high rent. When Beth told me the figures that they were being charged for rent then it is no surprise that independents are struggling. Digbeth is undergoing changes and the early success of independents has attracted larger businesses who want a slice of the action. Digbeth is becoming a very popular part of Birmingham (if it was not popular already). There are plans for several high rise residences to be built in the vicinity. Many of the old warehouses and industrial units are being earmarked for demolition with a complete revamp of the area planned. Already the Boxpark franchise will be pumping 5 million pounds under the nearby railway arches that will create bars and restaurants. The independents have difficulty in matching this sort of investment.
The Floodgate had only just opened for the evening and apart from a few customers playing curling, I had the place to myself for taking pictures. The Floodgate has one large bar area situated in the main warehouse. Table tops are in the form of baseballs and colourful murals adorn the walls. There are baseball cages and an impressive model car racing track. The latter has a set of seats complete with steering wheels where people can control the model cars they see in front of them around the track.
You never know who you will meet in the darkWith a little help from my friendsHole 18 – Table GolfThe Trotter’s car and other lights.
Leading off from the main warehouse, there are two games areas . The walls are covered with colourful graffiti art that glows in the UV light. The area is a psychedelic experience and the Jimi Hendrix song Purple Haze came to mind. I enjoyed taking pictures with both my cameras, the Fujifilm x100vi and my iPhone. This is where the new Fujifilm with IBIS worked well. Such pictures taken in low light with this camera would have been impossible without a tripod in the past. The iPhone is well known for its low light photography, The curling lanes were surrounded by lights and a ceiling of springs. The table golf set up looked impressive when set against the graffiti. The area was a little spooky with no people present. Beth did tell me that there were stories about ghosts in the warehouse and occasionally I felt a presence as I wandered around the darkly lit areas of the table golf rooms.
Outside CurlingGlory DaysNHS Angel wings in the light
Under the arches
The outside area has more curling lanes and baseball cages that are set against a backdrop of the towering railway arches. The cameras now had to deal with strong light and harsh shadows as for once it was not raining.
My final shot was of Beth and other staff in the bar area. It is sad to see such places closing but I guess this is progress. The early charm of Digbeth with venues taking advantage of the old industrial warehouses is slowly disappearing. The Floodgate is an example of creating different types of entertainment. Such places will disappear and be replaced with new shiny establishments that will cater for most of the new residents that will be entering Digbeth.
Beth with the Floodgate bar in the background
Floodgate Street
If you enjoyed this blog then please take a look at my other Digbeth entries starting with Digbeth Art from July 2020
We are four photographers who got together during lockdown. We enjoyed chatting about photography over zoom and decided that we would love to share our experiences with other photographers out there. As friends we share a passion for taking pictures and as it happens we all photograph a diverse and varied set of subjects. Who are we? There is Martin Kelly our host, who does all the bits and pieces to get our zoom chats up on YouTube etc. Neil Dodd who is based in Switzerland and loves photographing sport especially Swiss Rugby. Ian Lewis who is fortunate to live in Cornwall and takes stunning pictures of the countryside in this beautiful part of the world. Then there is me, Damien Walmsley, who photographs the Birmingham cityscapes and the Warwickshire countryside (plus anything else).
Our Flash, Bang, Wallop Podcast is a monthly show and we cover news, gear and everything photography related including interviewing guests.
The close is a small village of houses within Norwich Cathedral walls. The area is also home to Norwich School and during the day there is an influx of tourists who visit both the Cathedral and the Close. My school friend, Tim, lives in one of the Cottages in the Close. It was a good to catch up with Tim who I had only seen once since we both left school and went our separate ways over 40 years ago. As I wished to see the Time Horizon installation at Houghton Hall, a stop over at Norwich looked a good idea.
ThreeTimA typical tourist shot of the Ethelbert Gate leading to the Close.So good to see the sun shinning.A picturesque view of part of the CloseAn afternoon view of the Cathedral.Night viewNearly time for the gates to closePeople still around in the warm evening.
I arrived on a glorious sunny afternoon and the Close was busy with people. In the evening the doors are shut at 10.30pm and at around 9pm the area is relatively quiet. The next day, I got up early and wandered around the close. The sun was also rising in the sky and again there were several good photographs amongst the light and the shadows. I also met Tony was sitting quietly against one of the walls with his lenses pointed up to the spire of the Cathedral. There are two nesting peregrine falcons and the City news is wrapped up with their well-being. Last year there were no chicks and this year only one has survived. The picture shows Tony taking his picture and if you look very closely you can see the young peregrine bird on the masonry. I did not have my long lens so this is a digital zoom.
Early Morning peopleThe gates are open. A view of the cathedral through the Erpingham GateTony photographing the peregrine falcons.Into the cloisters.The sun is risingBlack and white view of the cloistersA leading line from the Labyrinth in the centre of the cloisters.Inside the Cathedral
The cloisters were impressive and I learnt that some of the Harry Potter movies were filmed in the cloisters. Also I realised that I missed several opportune views of the cloisters as I read up about Norwich Cathedral after my visit. Furthermore, I did not get the chance to explore other parts of Norwich so another visit beckons.
On a photographic note, I am finding my Fujifilm x100vi is working well now that I have set it up with a back focus button. The IBIS makes the night photography straightforward although I do have to remove the noise in Lightroom for several pictures. I have also purchased a “shimmer” for the lens and this adds an attractive effect when shooting into the sun.
Looking back into my archives and I find that I photographed Cologne back in 2019. As this is another Cathedral City, it is interesting to compare my blog postings over the years.
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