The first day

We drove up to Birmingham to stay in an 'Express by Holiday inn that we had booked for a night. Of course we were a bit early so decided to drive into Birmingham centre to have a look at the German Market that was there.

It was quite a show with stalls containing German Christmas stuff right up the whole main street. We did not by anything but the whole thing was interesting and they were very busy. I have put in two photos taken on that day. Frankfurt Market

Then back to the hotel to book in and get to bed for the evening. To do that I had to drive through 'Brum' at peak hour and oh boy! Is it busy! I am used to driving in a city during peak hour as Cardiff gets heavily congested, but Birmingham is a whole different experience. Of course in Cardiff I know the short cuts and can often take a different route, and in Birmingham I really am a stranger, but even so that is one congested city.

To anyone looking to book one of these overnight type hotels I can recommend the 'Express by Holiday Inn'. The price for the two of us was £55 and that included breakfast and it was a very comfortable stay.

Some time off

Well that is work done for the next six days. We are driving up to Birmingham today and will stay overnight and visit the Germand Christmas market in the town centre. Then off to Butlins in Skegness on Friday for a weekend of 60's type music. The best there has ever been!

We have not been away since May when we went to Ireland and we are really ready for this break. It is really a celebration as our 40th anniversary is a week later and this is a bit special for us.

And a little joke to finish off with...

An elderly woman went to her local doctor’s office and asked to speak with her doctor. When the receptionist asked why she was there, she replied, “I’d like to have some birth control pills.”

Taken back, the doctor thought for a minute and then said, “Excuse me, Mrs. Glenwood, but you’re 80 years old. What would you possibly need birth control pills for?”

The woman replied, “They help me sleep better.”

The doctor considered this for a second, and continued… “How in the world do birth control pills help you sleep?”

The woman said, “I put them in my granddaughter’s orange juice, and I sleep better at night.”