Morning, how's your day going so far?

janer1967

@66Mustang @SueHeath lives in Birmingham area as well as @Sandy_123 I think 

66Mustang

Thanks @janer1967 hopefully they see this and get back

SueHeath

Hi @66Mustang what would you like to know about x

66Mustang

@SueHeath we are just looking to get some local knowledge about the best place to stay for visiting the city centre, what’s the best way to visit the centre - can you drive in, is it easy to park in the city centre, do hotels have parking etc?

I find public transport really hard and we have someone with us who can’t walk far so a bit of a challenge getting something that suits everyone haha 

Thanks

SueHeath

Hi @66Mustang not sure about hotels in Birmingham centre it's self - I should imagine they would be expensive.
There are multi storey car parks, but you will have a fair walk to were the markets are and there is a congestion charge of £8 for driving in the city. I will also say my hubby hates driving in Brum it's very busy.
There is a lot of walking as well involved - x

monsieur

Yeah, you get lots of beggars in Birmingham on the streets, when you stay in a car traffic. They come to you, knock your car window and ask you for some change...
I think that's creepy.

66Mustang

Thanks @SueHeath

What do you mean by a lot of walking? The person isn’t disabled, just quite a bad knee (arthritis), can walk maybe 1/2 a mile before pain starts, then if they have a break they feel up to do a bit more and so on. Do you think that will still be a problem?

I did read there was a “clean air charge” or some such thing, which my car is exempt from as it’s compliant. I didn’t know about the congestion charge and can’t find anything about it online! Is the clean air charge what you are thinking of or is there a congestion charge in addition?

I can imagine the driving to be bad but we are used to it as we go into central London occasionally, agreed it’s not pleasant though haha

Thanks again

66Mustang

@monsieur ooh that’s a bit creepy yeah, you get that a bit in London, quite sad really that people can become so desperate

Sandy_123

Hi ya @66Mustang I've got a hotel link which is situated right in center of birmham city, right next to primark. About a 8 min walk to German Market. You can read the link on parking etc,  prices. 
If you want me to be honest, the German Market in my opinion, is (a) overpriced that you can buy from aldi cheaper,  I've only been a few times, don't really fancy it again. 
This hotel is nearest you will get, It don't look that fancy from out side, still has wooden windows, but might be nice inside. Take a look

https://www.britanniahotels.com/hotels/the-britannia-hotel-birmingham

Lots todo in brum also, depending how long your here, Cadbury factory do tours. Sea life center, museum, lots of pubs and restaurants, lots of shops for shopping, including the market. 
Star city have cinema, bowling, fair rides, with restaurants, open in evenings. You might get a cheaper budget hotel just out side city, with a short bus ride in

SueHeath

Sorry @66Mustang I did mean the clean air charge.
As Sandy said the market is very expensive but it might be the atmosphere that you would like.
Beggars, pick pockets etc are a thing that we have found in a lot of area's sadly. 
But if you have never been to Birmingham it is worth a visit.

I would still say there is a lot of walking, but there are a few places you can park your bum and rest up.
We don't go any more as we find the ares gets to packed for us and I suppose it's one of those things, that when you've been a couple of times, the magic goes. xx

SueHeath

Morning All It's MONDAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY xx

bg844

Good Morning @SueHeath!

Amberpearl

Morning
I feel very tired this morning 
17 degrees sunny here 

Sandy_123

Morning all, another lovely day, 26 and full sunshine today. 

66Mustang

Thanks very much @Sandy_123 and @SueHeath and sorry for not getting back yesterday.

Happy Monday everyone

66Mustang

We just walked the dog and met a lovely man who couldn’t control his dog and started swearing at us because his dog lurched towards our dog!!!

I wanted to say what a nice man as we walked away but he appeared like a thug and would probably have resorted to violence as he seemed to have the IQ of a coconut

Alex_Alumni

"The IQ of a coconut" is a new phrase to me @66Mustang but I think I'll have to use it in future    

I'm glad nothing more negative came of your walk this morning, was your dog okay too?

66Mustang

@Alex_Scope  yes dog was fine, thanks, he probably just wondered why the other dog wasn’t allowed to play

Alex_Alumni

That's alright then I'm glad you got out nice and early too, it's heating up out there!

66Mustang

Yes it looks like it’s going to be a hot week all week. We went out nice and early today to beat the hot temperatures later, apparently you’re not meant to walk your dog when it gets to 25°C