Loved it, but then, didn't know anything else.

When I got there in the early 80s, it was grim as hell. Also had no decent pubs, not one - or nowhere with any personality, just plastic M & B or Ansell's. It was so obviously a car city with all the underpasses (you felt you were taking your life in your hands in any of them) and no cycle lanes, no pedestrianisation in the city centre which struck me as behind the times as we'd had it since the 70s in the North...

But as time went on, we loved it too. Not the city centre so much, or not in the 80s - but the people and living out near the reservoir at Bartley Green so had some nice country walks. Later lived near Harborne which was brilliant, and then other places in Sth Bham.

Suddenly, in the late 90s, there was a bit of a buzz (I don't mean 'bus') and Dick Knowles and mates started the transformation. Places we had always seen the potential of, like the canals down by Broad St, but had always been totally ignored - other people started seeing the beauty in them too, and they were done up. Then the statues and at some point, things started being pedestrian friendly. (Although we were keen cyclists we never rode out bikes again after one too many scary moments on the Hagley Rd...)

And although we left because I didn't want my oldest son to go to high school there - we could see the city was changing.

When we went back recently, for the day, I was stunned by it. It is no longer that concrete, grim car city of memory. It is a place to be proud of. I hope my son gets into uni there so we can go back and back.

Bumping up this thread. Has anyone gone down to visit the German Markets in the city centre?

Yes my husband and I visited the main one in the square on Friday evening. It was quite busy but it was a good atmosphere and we had a good time.

Snap, I spent many, many happy hours wandering around there in my teens. I used to get a lot of what you would now call vintage clothes and shoes from stalls there, also really cheap material because I made some of my own clothes, then a wander round Woolies, get some flowers for mom when she was selling them off at the end of the day, used to get armfuls of flowers for next to nothing then either up to HMV on New Street and the 82 home, or round to the Midland Red Bus Station to catch the 128/9 and listen to the reggae coming from Summit Records. Good times.

And the tramway extensions of course. Also I love the new Library.

If your son does get to Uni in Birmingham and you come again, the tow paths of the canals are now a very cycle friendly route into the city. They even have gullies on the steps so you can push your bike up and down them to and from the roads. A lot of money is being spent in the near future to make Birmingham a city that is safe and convenient to cycle around.

That's not the Bull Ring. It is Selfridges which is in the Bull Ring but not the whole Bull Ring.

Yes I can relate to that. I wonder how many people visit Birmigham and never find their way out of the new station complex.

I like Moseley. Which is the wrong end?

Any people with children who like taking them out and about, and also like taking them to watch planes for example? I'd like you to take a look at this:

https://www.change.org/p/solihull-me...ort?lang=en-GB

Manchester has one and it's pretty successful. It would be great to have one here. Mind you, I am an aviation geek so I'm a bit biased.

Not this year but a few years ago. Many of the stalls are repeated many times.

The end that borders Balsall Heath, Sparkhill and parts of Springhill

Springhill? That's over the other side of town, by the Jewellery Quarter and nowhere near Moseley. Do you mean Springfield?

I'm going down in a couple of weeks for a work reunion meal and I'm dreading it. I left Brum just as Grand Central opened and I only went in once. I just hope I can find my way out onto New Street.

Yes sorry Springfield

Tell me when you are visiting and I will pop in and lay a trail of bread crumbs for you.

We were there a couple of days ago. Can recommend the stalls beyond the remains of Paradise Circus, outside the new Library. One of them sells Balti chips, which are every bit as good as they sound. I think those stalls were part of the Craft Fair.

The new station is amazing too. A lot like Kings Cross. It was very nice to be back.

who played acky 1 2 3?