During my Summer 09 UK Blogging Tour, I arranged to meet up with Nicky Getgood, author of Digbeth is Good, and Karen Strunks photographer and blogger, in the Digbeth area of Birmingham.

Before Karen arrived, Nicky showed me some street art around Digbeth and did a video interview.

After eating at The Old Crown, the oldest inn in Birmingham, we set off on a walk around Digbeth. I liked The Green Man, a living tree statue, near the Custard Factory, an arts and media quarter located in the old Bird’s custard factory in Digbeth.

The Green Man

Then we had a walk along the canal.

Canalside, Digbeth

Just up from the canal there was some more street art.

Street Art, Digbeth

As we walked past the Travel West Midlands bus depot, Karen’s curiousity was piqued and she decided that she’d like to see more of the bus depot. So, being a girl who’s not afraid to ask for what she wants, she marched in and charmed her way into arranging a tour of the bus depot. We donned our high vis jackets and started our tour with our fab guide Myron. Nicky was soon snapping away.

Nicky shoots into photographic action at the bus depot

We were then whisked through the bus wash on a double decker, boarded a brand new bus about to go into service, and Karen sat at the driver’s chair posing for photos.

Karen Strunks at the wheel with Myron, our expert guide.

You can see more photos of our bus depot tour on Nicky’s blog.

So all in all, I had a a very unusual and entertaining time in Digbeth. A big thank you to Nicky, Karen and Myron for a memorable evening.

Europe a la Carte Summer 09 UK Blogging Tour sponsored by