The sun shone, the air was clear and the streets were empty. While Miriam power-walked the area I roamed on my bike and on foot along rivers, canals and paths and through newly-discovered woodland and, occasionally, into a city centre that felt like the set of a disaster film.
The sun beats down on a Bristol Street empty of traffic
With Centenary Square practically empty, the opportunity for this cyclist to play in the reflecting pool is too much to resist
A new tower block under construction in Colmore Row
With the Library of Birmingham closed, there was no access to its rooftop garden which gives fine views over the city
Selly Oak standstill: traffic continued to flow along the railway and canal above
Lifford Reservoir became a favourite place to visit, on foot and by bike
One of the trees by Lifford Reservoir is full of boots and shoes (does anyone know why?)
This derelict factory, between Lifford Reservoir and the Stratford Canal, holds a peculiar fascination
A busy day at Kings Norton Junction
Busy traffic on the Stratford Canal
A message of thanks in the River Rea
One of a cascade of 3 waterfalls on Merritts Brook in Manor Farm Park
More messages of thanks in a supermarket window
It’s hard to believe that this path was once a canal: the Lapal Canal Trust have plans to restore it
Holders Lane Woods: a nearby quiet retreat
Looking up at Holders Lane Woods
Bluebells at Highbury Park, another huge expanse of varied woodland
Harborne Walkway extends under Hagley Road and near to Edgbaston Reservoir
Springtime in Hazelwell Park
Greyfox Park is on a cycle route from Northfield to Bournville (which joins 3 other parks)
Wildlife in Cotteridge Park
Alvechurch Marina: the furthest point I have reached by bike along the Worcester and Birmingham Canal
Golden view along the Birmingham Main Line Canal
Brum sculpture and architecture
Stirchley Baths was closed for much of the year, though we were able to run one heritage event there in the autumn
As the year proceeded measures were introduced to restrict through traffic, giving rise to “cone wars”
They like it ‘ard in Kings Heath Park
Autumn leaves by the large pond at Highbury Park
For a while flowers outnumbered cars on Pershore Road through Stirchley
Local produce: sadly the magnificent beefburgers were only available for a limited time
The Ikon Gallery has been closed for much of the year but remains an obligatory photographic subject
The Worcester and Birmingham Canal passes Lower Bittell Reservoir near Hopwood: a favourite place for families to gather
Spring on the canal at Selly Oak
Springtime in Bournville
Moon beam
Bird bath: the bank of the River Bourn, which flows past our house, would have made a fine retreat if we had been completely locked in
Doggy fun in the River Rea
The River Rea flowing through Lifford Woodland
There are a surprising number of waterfalls in the area: this one is on the River Rea at Second Avenue
Autumn on the Bristol Road Blue Route which offers cyclists traffic-free access from Selly Oak to the city centre