Magical Lantern Festival 2016 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens

I booked a evening ticket to see the Magical Lantern Festival on Saturday 10th December 2016. After a lot of waiting around town, I got the bus to Westbourne Road in Edgbaston. Was there between 4:50pm and 5:30pm. It was raining on my visit, so I got quite soaked going around the trail of colourful lit up Magical Lanterns. I've not been back since (apart from the dinosaurs / ice age)

The Magical Lantern Festival first came to Birmingham at Christmas 2016 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on Westbourne Road in Edgbaston. It was on from the 25th November 2016 until the 2nd January 2017. They returned to Birmingham for the Christmas 2017 season at Kings Heath Park (I only saw that in the daylight) and back to the Botanical Gardens a year later at Christmas 2018 (I only saw them from the bus or walking past on the Westbourne Road). I'm not aware of if it's returning for the Christmas 2019 season.

You book your ticket online, and get it on Eventbrite with a QR code (or print it out - but the paper version would get wet in the rain).

My visit on the evening on the 10th December 2016 just after 5pm. But it was raining, but I did manage to get around the trail (my camera got wet).

"Merry Christmas". A welcome from Santa.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2016 with penguins and a snowman. Also presents.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Colourful birds and flowers.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A jug of water and flowers.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A reindeer.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Chinese Pagoda that you would find in the middle of Holloway Circus in Birmingham City Centre.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A Bug's Life. A mushroom and a giant ant.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A peacock. I've seen real peacocks here in the daylight hours (in the years after this visit).

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Santa Claus in his sleigh.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The world famous Bullring bull in Magical Lantern form.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A Christmas tree Magical Lantern style.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I think this is supposed to look like the glasshouses of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One of the clowns.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (13).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Canopy over the fountain.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (14).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Frog on a lily.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (15).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Green ant from A Bug's Life. Or Antz?

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (16).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Mushrooms and flowers with water droplets.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (17).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Pearl in an oyster.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (18).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Reindeer and a snowman near the entrance canopy.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (19).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Exiting back onto Westbourne Road, giant teddy bear and presents.

dndimg alt="Magical Lantern Festival 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Magical Lantern Festival (Dec 2016) (20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I've also got daylight photos from Kings Heath Park from December 2017. I will put some of those in another post soon.

For a similar post on the Jurassic Kingdom and Ice Age: The Lost Kingdom events follow this link to this post: Jurassic Kingdom 2017 and Ice Age: The Lost Kingdom 2019 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

More photos here on my Flickr Magical Lantern Festival including photos from 2016 to 2018.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

The Shire Country Park from the Stratford Road to Scribers Lane in Hall Green / Yardley Wood

This hidden parkland with walking paths is between Hall Green and Yardley Wood. Named after JRR Tolkien's The Shire from The Hobbit. The route takes you past Sarehole Mill. Then eventually through The Dingles and Trittiford Mill Pool. You don't have to do it all in one go. Even good for winter walks. Plenty of wildlife around too!

Greet Mill Meadows

The River Cole with it's waterfall seen in the Greet Mill Meadows section of the Shire Country Park during April 2009. Seen from the road bridge. This is on the no 6 bus route, also the no 1 and now 1A passes over this part of the Stratford Road. The Millstream Way heads along the River Cole towards Sarehole Mill.

dndimg alt="River Cole Greet Mill Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/River Cole Greet Mill Meadow Shire Country Park.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The flooded ford of the River Cole that crosses Green Road in Hall Green. Seen during March 2018. There is a footbridge for pedestrians. Cars though have to drive through the river. When flooded, they sometimes get stuck here! This is between the Greet Mill Meadows and the Sarehole Mill Recreation Ground.

dndimg alt="Green Road flooded ford" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Green Road Hall Green flooded ford.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Sarehole Mill Recreation Ground

This view of the Sarehole Mill Recreation Ground during March 2018 with new gravel footpath. The path leads towards Green Road and the flooded ford. The other direction leads to Sarehole Mill and Cole Bank Road (on the 11A / 11C and no 5 bus routes). On the Moseley / Hall Green border.

dndimg alt="Sarehole Mill Recreation Ground" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sarehole Mill Recreation Ground.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

John Morris Jones Walkway

Seen during January 2011 from the Brook Lane end, this path leads towards the Cole Bank Road in Hall Green. That winter I found the path too muddy, so I didn't walk all the way. Usually better along here during the spring and summer months. It follows the path of the River Cole.

dndimg alt="John Morris Jones Walkway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/John Morris Jones Walkway.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Dingles

This section of the Shire Country Park goes from Brook Lane towards Highfield Road on the Hall Green / Yardley Wood border. Seen here during a sunny March 2012. The River Cole and the Chinn Brook both flow through this area. When you get to Highfield Road, you have a choice: either head through the Chinn Brook Recreation Ground, or go around the Trittiford Mill Pool.

dndimg alt="The Dingles" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Dingles Shire Country Park.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Trittiford Mill Pool

The perfect place for a Christmas Day morning was was the Trittiford Mill Pool. Near Highfield Road and Priory Road in Yardley Wood. This was on the 25th December 2013. You can walk all the way around the lake, going past the River Cole. Many bird species to see. The usual gulls, swans, geese, ducks etc. The footpath was resurfaced in 2016. I even popped along when there was snow here during December 2017 (looked quite wintery).

dndimg alt="Trittiford Mill Pool" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Trittiford Mill Pool Shire Country Park.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Scribers Lane

Beyond the Trittiford Mill Pool is Scribers Lane. This section seen during a walk in May 2016. Scribers Lane starts at the end of the Mill Pool, then heads towards Slade Lane alongside the River Cole. Beyond is more parkland that follows the Shakespeare line south of Yardley Wood Station, but I'm not sure if you can walk through the overgrowth, but it leads to Colebrook Road over in Solihull.

dndimg alt="Scribers Lane, Shire Country Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Scribers Lane Shire Country Park.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

Birmingham suburban floral trails in previous years

In previous years there was a Floral Trail in Kings Heath. One year they had a display on Longbridge Island. And in Olympic and Paralympic years, they had pieces in Cannon Hill Park. Am not aware of any this summer though! 

You won't find any of these Floral features around the Birmingham suburbs now in 2019. They were there in past years. Kings Heath used to have its own Floral Trail from its BID team. Acocks Green is in Bloom most spring and summers each year. Cannon Hill Park looks lovely with its displays of flowers in the warmer months. Items similar to the former City Centre Floral Trails of past summers. Some had even previously been in the City Centre before! 

Guitars on York Road in Kings Heath during Summer 2012. Was where the Kings Heath Walk of Fame would have been. Cash Convertors was in the building which used to be the Ritz Ballroom. But a fire there in 2013 led to its demolition and a replacement building has yet to be built there. 

dndimg alt="Kings Heath guitars" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Heath Floral Trail Guitars 2012.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Enjoy Kings Heath was in Kings Heath Village Square in the Autumn of 2012. A few years later they moved it to the corner of Howard Road and Alcester Road in 2015. It was still there in 2018.

dndimg alt="Enjoy Kings Heath " dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Enjoy Kings Heath Village Square 2012.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Cannon Hill Park has had Olympic and Paralympic inspired pieces during the summers of 2012 (London) and 2016 (Rio). 

Olympic Breeze was in Cannon Hill Park near Edgbaston during the summer of 2012. It won Gold at the RHS Tatton Flower Show in 2012. Inspired by Sir Ben Ainslie. At the time a 4 time Gold medal winner at the Olympics. Seen on a rainy day. 

dndimg alt="Olympic Breeze " dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cannon Hill Park Olympic Breeze Birmingham 2012.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Was a lot of Olympic / Paralympic inspired pieces in Cannon Hill Park during the Summer of 2016. This was called One Small Step. Was Birmingham City Council's entry to the Chelsea Flower Show in 2016. Cofton Nursery had recycled some Wicker pieces from 2012. Including their Usain Bolt sculpture. 

dndimg alt="One Small Step " dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/One Small Step Cannon Hill Park 2016.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

During the Summer of 2013 Birmingham was taking part in Entente Florale Europe. At Longbridge Island was this Mini and yellow flowers. Near Bournville College. Was before Austin Park and Longbridge Town Centre opened. 

dndimg alt="Longbridge Island Mini" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Longbridge Island 2013 Mini Entente Florale.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Whistles on the Acocks Green Village Green during 2015. A temporary sculpture, its not there now. But a permanent Acocks Green Village sign is now in the middle. 

dndimg alt="Whistles Acocks Green " dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Acocks Green Whistles on the green 2015.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail features in Victoria Square 2010 - 2019

A look at the Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail features in Victoria Square over the years outside of the Council House. From 2010 to 2019. There used to be a Floral Trail in the City Centre every year. Now just the odd piece. Including the Council's Gold winning Chelsea Flower Show displays. 

2010

In 2010 was a Spitfire in front of the Birmingham Council House. It had been on display at the Chelsea Flower Show. 

dndimg alt="Spitfire 2010" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Square Spitfire floral trail 2010.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2011

In 2011 a Chinook RAF twin bladed helicopter was in front of the Council House. It was from the Council's 2010 Chelsea Flower Show Gold winning display the Road to Recovery. 

dndimg alt="Chinook 2011" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinook Birmingham Floral Trail 2011 Victoria Square.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2012

Usain Bolt Wicker sculpture from the London 2012 Olympic Games. Jamaica trained that summer at the University of Birmingham. While the USA was at the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr. 

dndimg alt="Usain Bolt Victoria Square 2012" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Usain Bolt London 2012 Victoria Square Birmingham.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2013

Another Spitfire in 2013,  part of Enlightenment. The rest was in Centenary Square before the Library of Birmingham opened. Was there since Armed Forces Day 2013.

dndimg alt="Enlightenment Spitfire 2013" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Enlightenment Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail Victoria Square 2013.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2014

The 100th anniversary of the start of World War 1 was marked by this display with Trenches and biplanes. It was at the Chelsea Flower Show that year. 

dndimg alt="Trenches Victoria Square 2014" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Trenches WW1 Victoria Square 2014.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2015

While The Big Hoot 2015 was on with painted owl sculptures. Kind of marked the end of the annual floral trail. But they were still putting out displays in the city centre. Again Biplanes and Trenches like the year before. Marking the 2nd year of the First World War 100 years later. 

dndimg alt="Biplanes and Trenches 2015" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Biplanes and Trenches Victoria Square 2015.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2016

Just a flower basket in Victoria Square outside the Council House during 2016. I don't think I saw anything else here that year. Was a trail of painted benches around in 2016 for The Big Read 2016.

dndimg alt="Flower Basket 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Square flower basket 2016.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2017

Didn't see a Floral feature outside the Council House in 2017. But in May 2017 was this bunch of flowers for the Manchester terror attacks. That was the year of The Big Sleuth 2017 of painted bear sculptures. 

dndimg alt="Flowers for Manchester 2017" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Square flowers for Manchester 2017.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2018

Was the Empire Windrush in 2018 outside of the Council House in Victoria Square. As usual it won Gold for Birmingham City Council at the Chelsea Flower Show. The train is recycled from previous years Floral Trails. Such as in Centenary Square outside the Library of Birmingham. Another year it was outside of Birmingham Snow Hill Station (2 years in a row I think). 

dndimg alt="Empire Windrush 2018" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Empire Windrush Birmingham Victoria Square 2018.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2019

Not far from the view of the Knife Angel is Floellas Future. It won Gold for the City Council at the Chelsea Flower Show. Supported by Baroness Floella Benjamin. There is a turtle sculpture on here and palm trees. 

dndimg alt="Floellas Future 2019" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floellas Future Victoria Square 2019.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

Jurassic Kingdom 2017 and Ice Age: The Lost Kingdom 2019 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Two events with animated creatures at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on Westbourne Road in Edgbaston. Jurassic Kingdom was held during May 2017, while Ice Age: The Lost Kingdom was held during April 2019. A gallery of 10 photos of the dinosaurs from 2017. And 10 photos of the extinct ice age animals from 2019. They make noises with sound (see my YouTube links for examples).

Jurassic Kingdom

This event was on at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens from the 20th May to the 4th June 2017. There was loads of life sized animated dinosaurs here to see! A selection of 10 photos below.

T-Rex in the car park near the entrance!

dndimg alt="T-Rex" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Jurassic Kingdom 2017 Bham Botanical Gardens (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Carnotaurus

dndimg alt="Carnotaurus" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Jurassic Kingdom 2017 Bham Botanical Gardens (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Small Triceratops.

dndimg alt="Small Triceratops" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Jurassic Kingdom 2017 Bham Botanical Gardens (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 Pterosaur

dndimg alt=" Pterosaur" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Jurassic Kingdom 2017 Bham Botanical Gardens (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tyrannosaurus Vs Spinosaurus!

dndimg alt="Tyrannosaurus Vs Spinosaurus!" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Jurassic Kingdom 2017 Bham Botanical Gardens (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Velociraptor Vs Apatosaurus!

dndimg alt="Velociraptor Vs Apatosaurus!" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Jurassic Kingdom 2017 Bham Botanical Gardens (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Brachiosaurus

dndimg alt="Brachiosaurus" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Jurassic Kingdom 2017 Bham Botanical Gardens (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Spinosaurus

dndimg alt="Spinosaurus" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Jurassic Kingdom 2017 Bham Botanical Gardens (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Parasaurolophus

dndimg alt="Parasaurolophus" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Jurassic Kingdom 2017 Bham Botanical Gardens (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Euoplocephalus

dndimg alt="Euoplocephalus" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Jurassic Kingdom 2017 Bham Botanical Gardens (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Video here on my YouTube Channel. Jurassic Kingdom, YouTube.

Full album of Jurassic photos over on my Flickr (with some video clips) Jurassic Kingdom, Flickr.

Ice Age: The Lost Kingdom

This event was held at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens from the 6th to 28th April 2019. I think from the same organisers as Jurassic Kingdom from 2 years before. I got in on the first morning on a 40% off early bird ticket! A selection of 10 photos below.

Smilodon populator (Sabre-Toothed Cat)

dndimg alt="Smilodon populator (Sabre-Toothed Cat)" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Age The Lost Kingdom 2019 Bham Botanical Gardens (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Coelodonta antiquitatis (Woolly Rhinoceros)

dndimg alt="Coelodonta antiquitatis (Woolly Rhinoceros)" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Age The Lost Kingdom 2019 Bham Botanical Gardens (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Mammuthus (mammoth)

dndimg alt="Mammuthus (mammoth)" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Age The Lost Kingdom 2019 Bham Botanical Gardens (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Mastodon (being hunted by cavemen)

dndimg alt="Mastodon" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Age The Lost Kingdom 2019 Bham Botanical Gardens (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Miracinonyx (American Cheetah) and Elasmotherium (Siberian Unicorn)

dndimg alt="Miracinonyx (American Cheetah) and Elasmotherium (Siberian Unicorn)" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Age The Lost Kingdom 2019 Bham Botanical Gardens (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Daeodon. Meaning 'dreadful tooth' also known by Dinohyus ('terrible pig')

dndimg alt="Daeodon." dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Age The Lost Kingdom 2019 Bham Botanical Gardens (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Marcrauchenia patachonica

dndimg alt="Marcrauchenia patachonica" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Age The Lost Kingdom 2019 Bham Botanical Gardens (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Doedicurus clavicaudatus

dndimg alt="Doedicurus clavicaudatus" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Age The Lost Kingdom 2019 Bham Botanical Gardens (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Teratornis merriami

dndimg alt="Teratornis merriami" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Age The Lost Kingdom 2019 Bham Botanical Gardens (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Glyptodon

dndimg alt="Glyptodon" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Age The Lost Kingdom 2019 Bham Botanical Gardens (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Video here on my YouTube Channel Ice Age: The Lost Kingdom, YouTube.

Full album of Ice Age photos over on my Flickr (with some video clips) Ice Age: The Lost Kingdom, Flickr.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown (over 1000 followers!).

Moseley Bog from my December 2012 and September 2016 visits

Moseley Bog is not that far away from me, just catch the 11C up the Swanshurst Lane and get off the bus on the Yardley Wood Road near Swanshurst Park. The main entrance to Moseley Bog is on Yardley Wood Road. This photo gallery ahead of a proposed Birmingham We Are group visit to the bog! Part of the Shire Country Park. Another entrance / exit is on Pensby Close.

A gallery of 20 photos. The first 13 from my visit in December 2012. The last 7 from my visit in September 2016. It is easy to get lost in here! Best to start from the main entrance on the Yardley Wood Road in Moseley.

The bus routes here are the 11A / 11C (bus stops on Yardley Wood Road near Swanshurst Park). Or the 2 or the 3 from the city centre or Yardley Wood. You could also get the 5 to Wake Green Road, close to where JRR Tolkien used to live as a child, when Sarehole was a hamlet.

You could also get the train to Hall Green Station and then walk down Cole Bank Road past Sarehole Mill (or catch the 11C down the hill if you want to). Trains from Birmingham Snow Hill / Moor Street or Shirley down to Stratford-upon-Avon.

Birmingham City Council sign for Moseley Bog and Joy's Wood Local Nature Reserve seen on Yardley Wood Road.

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog sign" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The sculpted entrance gate to Moseley Bog from the Yardley Wood Road entrance. Small car park here.

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog Yardley Wood Road entrance" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Welcome to Moseley Bog - this sign was near the Yardley Wood Road entrance, with a map of the area.

dndimg alt="Welcome to Moseley Bog" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Decking all around now, so your shoes are less likely to get muddy, but it could still be wet if it's rained!

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog (December 2012). Decking." dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

More decking to walk around.

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog (December 2012). Decking." dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Around to the right past the trees.

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog decking" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Which way, left or right, it's up to you!

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog decking" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Narrow planks if you go this way.

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog decking" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A sign to stop and read close to this corner decking stop point.

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog decking" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There is steps here to go down to the dirt track.

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog decking" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading down the steps.

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog steps down" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Take these steps to the exit onto Pensby Close. A cul-de-sac. Head out via that road then onto Thirlmere Drive, then you get to Wake Green Road near Sarehole Mill.

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog steps" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Not all the routes are decked out. Are some dirt paths to follow as well.

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog dirt path" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (13).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The next 7 photos from a return visit in September 2016.

Somehow didn't get photos of the bog itself until 2016! Different conditions in different seasons.

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog the bog!" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (14).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Can see other members of Birmingham We Are enjoy taking photos of this from different angles!

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog the bog!" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (15).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Someone had made a camp site in Moseley Bog. Perhaps Cubs or Scout groups or school parties use the bog?

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog camp site" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (16).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Several fallen trees. Was looking a bit muddy underneath.

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog fallen tree" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (17).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another fallen tree, this one above a pool of water.

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog - fallen tree and pool of water" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (18).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A muddy stream with logs in it.

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog muddy stream" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (19).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Those steps again that I used in 2012. In 2016 I entered via Pensby Close, and had hoped to find my way to the Yardley Wood Road entrance / exit. But it is easy to get lost, and ended up going back to the Pensby Close entrance / exit again instead! Would GPS / a compass help me / us find a route out?

dndimg alt="Moseley Bog those steps again" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Bog (20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown (over 1000 followers!).

Italian Lakes

A selection of photos from the Italian Lakes (also going over into Switzerland). Lake Garda was an amazing lake to visit with many towns around it. Lake Como was also nice with many towns and places to visit. Lake Maggiore had a palace on an island that you can visit. Lake Lugano goes between Italy and Switzerland. Many of these lakes have ferries and boats that you can go on.

Lake Garda

The following photos were taken during July 2010 in Northern Italy.

Boats seen from the town of Garda, this was where we were based during that week on Lake Garda. World flags.

dndimg alt="Boats on Lake Garda seen from Garda" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Boats on Lake Garda seen from Garda.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Bardolino was not too far from Garda. More boats and more world flags. The visit to this town was on a free day.

dndimg alt="Boats at Bardolino on Lake Garda" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Boats in Bardolino on Lake Garda.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Boats seen in the town of Castelletto. That day we went all the way around Lake Garda on the coach and we had certain stops at certain points, to have a look around.

dndimg alt="Boats at Castelletto on Lake Garda" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Boats at Castelletto Lake Garda.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

You could get ferries across Lake Garda, and one day we went past Salo on a ferry. A few days later we headed to this town. Boats seen on the coastline. The day of this visit was during the coach tour of Lake Garda. We were following the holiday rep towards the main square in Salo.

dndimg alt="Boats on Salo from Lake Garda" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Boats from Salo on Lake Garda.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The view from the Apponale Tower at Riva del Garda. This town is at the top tip of Lake Garda. The visit during the day of getting the coach all the way around the lake. The cost to go up the tower was €1. In Italian it is called La Torre Apponale. The tower dates to at least 1273 or earlier. It is 34 metres high.

dndimg alt="Riva del Garda from the Apponale Tower" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Riva del Garda from the tower on Lake Garda.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Castello Scaligero is a 13th century castle in the town of Sirmione. It is at the bottom tip of Lake Garda. It was built by the Scaliger family. Construction started in 1277 by Martino della Scala. The town was an important military centre until the 16th century. Sirmione was a part of the Republic of Venice from 1405 until 1797 when the Austrians took over. Sirmione became a part of a unified Italy in 1888. The visit to Sirmione was by a car ferry, a journey which started at Garda, then went over to Salo, then down to Sirmione.

dndimg alt="Castello Scaligero - Sirmione" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Castle at Sirmione on Lake Garda.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This is one of the views from Castello Scaligero di Malcesine in the town of Malcesine. You get amazing views of Lake Garda from up here. It was built by the Lombards during the middle of the first millennium, and destroyed by the Franks in 590. It was rebuilt by 806. It became property of the Scala family from 1277 until 1387. Over the centuries it has been occupied by various different powers such as the Republic of Venice, later the French and Austrian Empires. The Austrians had it until 1866 when it was handed to the Italians after reunification of Italy. The visit to Malcesine was also on a free day.

dndimg alt="Castello Scaligero di Malcesine view of a beach" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Malcesine from the castle at Lake Garda.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The car ferry called Brescia seen arriving at Garda. This was the boat that we travelled over one of the days on Lake Garda. This view below was during our final morning on the lake before we returned to Verona Airport. The usual thing with these holidays is that you have to wait around at the hotel for hours before your coach comes to pick up up to take you back to the airport.

dndimg alt="Brescia car ferry arriving at Garda" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brescia car ferry at Garda.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This view from the car ferry we were on was of the hydrofoil boat named Goethe. The day we headed to Gardone Riviera to visit a garden. The boat was probably named after Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a German writer and statesmen. Goethe was caught doing drawings in Malcesine and was arrested as a spy during his visit in 1786.

dndimg alt="Goethe hydrofoil boat on Lake Garda" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Goethe hydrofoil boat on Lake Garda.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Lake Como

The following photos were taken during June 2016 in Northern Italy.

We arrived at Bellagio on a small boat (seen below) from Villa del Balbianello (after a tour of the villa). Was a wet day, but had stopped raining by the time we got to the wonderful town of Bellagio on Lake Como.

dndimg alt="Adda ferry and a boat at Bellagio on Lake Como" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Adda ferry and boat at Bellagio on Lake Como.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Bellagio's splendid architecture seen with Lake Como. Plenty of restaurants and shops here. We got the car ferry Adda later back to our hotel at Cadenabbia from near here.

dndimg alt="Bellagio from Lake Como" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bellagio from Lake Como.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View of Cadenabbia from the car ferry Adda we travelled on from Bellagio back to our hotel. You can see the dock where the boat will eventually stop. Plenty of hotels and bars along that coastline in Cadenabbia. Many mountains around too!

dndimg alt="Cadenabbia from Lake Como" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cadenabbia from Lake Como.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

On our free day, we travelled down to the City of Como on a hydrofoil boat from Tremezzo (after a morning at Villa Carlotta). It was very fast. The boat was named Citta di Como.

dndimg alt="Hydrofoil boat at Como" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hydrofoil boat at Como.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Arriving at the City of Como on the hydrofoil boat. Not far from Piazza Cavour. Wonderful historic architecture here. Lots of fountains. Plenty of restaurants and shops. They also have a railway station here. We later left not by boat, but by bus (much slower journey) to return to the hotel at Cadenabbia.

dndimg alt="Como from Lake Como" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Como from Lake Como.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tremezzo was a short distance away on foot from the hotel in Cadenabbia. Plenty of bars down here. Plus lake side swimming pools! You can also visit Villa Carlotta down here, or get the ferry.

dndimg alt="Tremezzo buildings near Lake Como" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Tremezzo buildings at Lake Como.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Kept seeing this road train around the towns of Lake Como. The Trombetta Express seen not far from outside of Villa Carlotta near Tremezzo. At this point it was outside of the Oratorio Sommariva (The Sommariva Oratory). While we didn't ride this road train, did days later on a visit to Lugano in Switzerland go on the road train there, while near Lake Lugano.

dndimg alt="Road train at Tremezzo" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Road train at Tremezzo(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A visit to Villa Carlotta. It is between Cadenabbia and Tremezzo on Lake Como. It was built for the Milanese marquis Giorgio Clerici in 1690. It was completed in 1745 and remained in the hands of Marquis Clerici until 1795.

dndimg alt="Villa Carlotta" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Villa Carlotta.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Stunning views of Lake Como and the mountains around it from the balcony at Villa Carlotta. Was also some nice gardens to explore during the visit here as well.

dndimg alt="Villa Carlotta" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Villa Carlotta view of Lake Como.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A visit to Villa del Balbianello for a guided tour of the villa. I did not take any photos inside (not sure if that was allowed). The villa was built in 1787 on the site of a Franciscan monastery for the Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini. There was wonderful gardens here. On our visit there was a torrential rain storm, so wasn't much chance to fully explore the garden before leaving on the boat to Bellagio.

dndimg alt="Villa del Balbianello" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Villa del Balbianello (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A few days later on a day with beter sunny weather, got this view of the villa from the hydrofoil boat we got down to the City of Como. Plenty of mountains and trees on both sides of Lake Como.

dndimg alt="Villa del Balbianello" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Villa del Balbianello (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Lake Maggiore

The following photos were taken during June 2016 in Northern Italy.

A couple of boats on Lake Maggiore seen from the town of Stresa. Earlier that day we had got a boat from Stresa to Isola Bella to visit Borromeo Palace. We didn't go onto Isola Madre like some people did, and instead returned for a look around Stresa in the afternoon.

dndimg alt="Stresa on Lake Maggiore" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stresa on Lake Maggiore (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A road train seen in Stresa.This one was called The TourisTic Tour. From DottoTrains. It was on the Corso Umberto I at the time near the Hotel Milan Au Lac.

dndimg alt="Road train in Stresa" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stresa on Lake Maggiore (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A view of Lake Maggiore from the coach heading towards Stresa. Mountains around this lake too!

dndimg alt="Lake Maggiore from the coach" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lake Maggiore from the coach.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Isola dei Pescatori seen from the boat on Lake Maggiore. We were heading towards Isola Bella. It's name means Fishermen’s Island. We did not visit that island. There is restaurants on the island providing fish caught by the local fishermen.

dndimg alt="Isola dei Pescatori - Lake Maggiore" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Isola dei Pescatori - Lake Maggiore.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Approaching Isola Bella for a visit to the Borromeo Palace. From this view the Teatro Massimo (Theatre Maximum) is seen to the left. The palace and the gardens was well worth a visit, at such a unique location!

dndimg alt="Isola Bella - Lake Maggiore" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Isola Bella - Lake Maggiore.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Exterior of the Borromeo Palace on Isola Bella after our visit. The entrance was round to the right. It dates to the 17th century and was built by members of the House of Borromeo.

dndimg alt="Borromeo Palace - Isola Bella - Lake Maggiore" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borromeo Palace - Isola Bella - Lake Maggiore.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A view of the Teatro Massimo (Theatre Maximum) from the gardens of the palace.

dndimg alt="Teatro Massimo - Isola Bella - Lake Maggiore" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Teatro Massimo - Isola Bella - Lake Maggiore.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Lake Lugano

The following photos were taken during June 2016 in Switzerland.

The coach journey from Italy into Switzerland along the coast of Lake Lugano. This lake is in both countries. Lots of tall mountains along the way. Was tunnels at the border control.

dndimg alt="Lake Lugano from the coach" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lake Lugano the coach to Lugano (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The approach to the city of Lugano on the coach, with Lake Lugano to the left. Architecture was very Italianette here.

dndimg alt="Lake Lugano arriving at Lugano" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lake Lugano the coach to Lugano (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One of the first things we did in Lugano was ride on the Lugano City Tour (road train). They accept Euros or Swiss Francs. A nice tour around this Swiss city. The tour starts near to the Piazza Manzoni. This view from the road train I was on, the Red Arrow. View of the starting point, also where it later ended.

dndimg alt="Lugano City Tour" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lugano on Lake Lugano (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Boats on Lake Lugano seen from the Lugano. Didn't go on a boat trip while we were here though. Went to an art gallery while we were there.

dndimg alt="Lake Lugano from Lugano - boats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lugano on Lake Lugano (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Would assume that you could hire these boats? The walk along the lake front towards a park. They have a lot of nice pieces of public artwork here too. Many of these lakes have small beaches. There was a beach here to the right of this view below.

dndimg alt="Lake Lugano from Lugano - boats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lugano on Lake Lugano (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.