Birmingham is where the heart is? Maybe, so? That Midlands city has a hold on me! Patiently waiting for my China departure took some doing, I needed to keep myself busy! The UK and France helped me out in this instalment, a cheeky visa run to London saved the day! Barry Island? Yes, I did my own Gavin & Stacey day out! Thankfully, Llangollen got me out for the day!
Now, I had done well with my United Kingdom travels because I had traveled to England, Scotland and Northern Ireland throughout my time home. I wasn't playing, I needed to get to Wales before my path back to China was confirmed. Trains were expensive, I chose to take two 'Coach Trips' from my hometown of Bilston in the West Midlands. Wales led a close path from my home region, I knew that two trips at least could be made before 2023 made an appearance. I first took things to the Welsh side of the United Kingdom during the summer of 2022, Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan was my first choice, I embraced that 'Gavin & Stacey' energy for certain. The journey was quite something but I was able to spend a few hours discovering several filming locations in Barry, Wales. I went to the promenade where I saw 'Marco's' and the famous 'slots' where Nessa had worked. The beach was also nice, clocking that famous filming location was golden! Sure, I visited Stacey's house on 'Trinity Street!' Chips with curry sauce had to be done!
Barry was cracking! I was able to take things back to Wales during September 2022 with a day spent in Llangollen within Denbighshire. The main attraction was a narrow boat canal cruise down the Llangollen Canal, taking in breath-taking views of the Welsh landscape from the 'Traphont Ddŵr Pontcysyllte/Pontcysyllte Aqueduct'. Carrying the Llangollen Canal, this 1805 built structure towers over the 'River Dee', a waterway I had visited during my 2013 day to Chester, England. It was a feat of engineering, it was a real pleasure to sit back and admire the stunning nature that was presented to me. It made me feel thankful for being home because I was afforded to see such a sight. Before the coach headed back to the West Midlands, I enjoyed an 'Oggie', that almost 'Cornish Pasty' tasted sublime. I had time for a sweet treat and a pint of cider in a local pub. The town center was rather compact, a very convenient find if you ask me! Oh, Barry and Llangollen served up very different things but Wales gave me two great days out!
Birmingham was my safe space during my time spent in England from 2020 to 2023, I was able to runaway to the big city when I wanted some space! I was able to kick back in Birmingham several times when the rules allowed life to return to some type of normality. I knew that Birmingham had changed, it was easy to see that things didn't gleam through those rose coloured glasses that I wore during my university days. I remember making the most of an overnight trip to Birmingham in 2021, I had a lovely Dim Sum lunch at Chung Ying and visited the Chinese supermarket. Yes, Birmingham's Chinatown became my favorite place but it wasn't very easy to keep my Mandarin skills alive because those hospitality workers spoke English and Cantonese with a certain distaste for Mandarin. Birmingham kept me sane, it gave me some breathing space and for that I will forever be grateful. Sure, I chose to spend time in other parts of Brum! Digbeth was cool and I saw 'Alesha Tryed' perform at 'The Fox!' Oh my Birmingham!
Late 2022 brought a rather thought-provoking and grown-up visit to Birmingham. Like many, it was a theater visit but I was able to make some firsts happen and make peace with some older haunts in the same breath. It felt amazing to take the Midland Metro from Bilston Central to Brindleyplace direct without any changes, it was a blessing because that Metro construction had taken its sweet time. I went for a walk around the canal near Broad Street to see Regency Wharf, it was like I was saying goodbye to someplace that I used to know. I enjoyed a Wetherspoons tea, that wasn't for the memory but the price because how highly can microwaved pub food be rated? I rated the ordering system and table service! Broad Street looked different, I couldn't ever imagine going out for another night-out down that street. The theater show was different, it was a cultured way for me to bow out of that chapter of Birmingham. In 2024 I returned to Birmingham, that city had changed vastly and not for the better, I'll preserve those memories.
November 2023 saw me regain my wings, I was able to fly from Birmingham to Paris with Air France without any COVID restrictions in place. I felt as if I had restarted my international traveling flow after what felt like years stuck in limbo! I hit the ground running with a walk along the Seine River, how cultured I felt in that moment, it was incalculable! The first day saw me meet with the Notre Dame as it was being restored and the 'Jardin du Luxembourg'. 'Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner' was founded in Paris as I entered my 'Destination Era!' I saw the 'Mona Lisa' at the 'Louvre' and headed over to the 'Pantheon', lunch was served in culture form! The 'Eiffel Tower' looked amazing even if the around it was questionable, I took in every experience with gratitude! Yes, I stood under the 'Arc de Triomphe' like a boss with the 'Champs-Élysées' in the near distance! 'Le Marais' served looks and I'm not talking about buildings, you know those 'Hommes!' Paris treated me so well, I was having the time of my life!
My 32nd birthday started in the darling 'Montmartre', I enjoyed a post-breakfast glass of 'Pernod Ricard' because I wanted to be all fancy and alcoholic! 'Place du Tertre' became my viewpoint, I loved seeing those artists paint away their day. Those steps scared me, it was super high from the top of that mountain-like hill at the 'Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur'. I dined on 'Snails' and 'Onion Soup' for my birthday lunch, evening speaking some French was done! Sure, I had a glass of red wine or two! Those macarons! A fabulous show was enjoyed at 'Le Moulin Rouge' for my entertainment, it was something else entirely! I went to the 'Palace of Versailles' before taking things to the 'Goutte d'Or' otherwise known as 'Petit Afrique'. My final full day in Paris was spent playing at Disneyland Paris, it cost me an arm and a leg but it was worth every single Euro! My five day trip to Paris, France was magical in every sense, I loved experiencing the city and more! It felt correct that I was able to visit a destination from my 'COVID List!' Oh, China!
London never gets old, I had visited the English capital during 2022 but I knew 2023 would hold something special for me! Christmas had been hectic, I was thankfully to have those few London days for myself. Intended as a visa run for my entry visa for China, I made every second of that three day trip count from the very moment I arrived at the China Visa Application Centre. I needed a beer after that stressful visa appointment, the red tape was unbelievable but I was thankful to be returning after three years. Shake Shake broke me! That Tottenham Court Road located burger joint was something else! A beer was definitely enjoyed at the King's Arms! '2:22 A Ghost Story' was my 'West End' escape, I got to see 'Cheryl' make her debut theater performance! Those coins were for enjoying, it was bliss to have disposable income for once in a very long time! I felt a sense that my life had restarted, especially after my time in Paris, I knew that life would never be on pause again! I had more to see the next day! London, it felt so right!
Waking up bright and early the following day, I no visa business to take care of! Heading for 'Soho Square' felt correct, I headed towards 'The Attendant' in Fitzrovia because I wanted to drink some coffee in a former Victorian public toilet. Heading towards 'Kings Cross' I found 'Gay's The Word', that inclusive book emporium made me feel so comfortable. I wanted to buy every book in-sight! The Overground took me to East London, I needed to try one of those famous 'Beigel's' on Brick Lane. Taking things back to 2014, I wound the clock nine years previous as I enjoyed a craft pint at The Commercial Tavern within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. I had another theater ticket booked for that final evening in London, before heading to the Playhouse Theatre I went to 'Clapham Common'. Taking a stroll along the common felt great as the sunset, the pizza and beer sorted me out! 'Cabaret' was astounding! London treated me well, I left feeling very content and ready for my departure back to China!
Look At Me!
Desperately Seeking Adventure
