Random Stuff!

[TheLocalYokel]

Was it Harry Carpenter, usually the boxing man, who at the University boat race once said something along the lines that the wife of the Cambridge (boat race) president was kissing the Oxford cox after the race?

 

[Barry Beeth]

She was "kissing the cox of the Oxford crew"... ;-)

 

[Brum X]

Not wanting to stir up another debate, however the BBC really makes my blood boil sometimes.
The labour candidate for Greater Manchester is not national news, however it is about number 4 on the national news. In comparison the West Midlands has also announced its labour candidate. You would never know would you ??

 

[JENNYJET]

This is why CNN is my news channel.

 

[Butty]

Brum X. Cheeses me of also, but after a weekend visit to Brum this weekend, the city is glorious and does not need the BBC to promote it, so worry not.

Cannot believe the central library has gone. I have never been to a major city where right in its heart so much redevelopment is taking place. Shopping is second to none and the place is alive. The east side offers so much potential particularly as the redevelopment starts to embrace the canal network. Exciting times.

 

[Butty]

She was "kissing the cox of the Oxford crew"... ;-)

It will never beat "the batsman Holding. Bowler's Willey."o

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Brum X. Cheeses me of also, but after a weekend visit to Brum this weekend, the city is glorious and does not need the BBC to promote it, so worry not.

Cannot believe the central library has gone. I have never been to a major city where right in its heart so much redevelopment is taking place. Shopping is second to none and the place is alive. The east side offers so much potential particularly as the redevelopment starts to embrace the canal network. Exciting times.

Have they started a regular service of hop on and hop off tour buses in Birmingham yet? The last time I looked at this there was only, I think, a modest weekend service in summer. Looking at the many places that do have this service I've been amazed that Birmingham has not featured.

Whenever my wife and I go on a leisure visit to a city we don't know well, whether in the UK or abroad, we like to use the hop on and hop off tour bus service at the beginning of our visit to get our bearings and see what is where in the city in question.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

It will never beat "the batsman Holding. Bowler's Willey."o

I was going to mention that, but was worried about setting off the 'QI alarm'.

Was it actually ever said? I've done a lot of web searching and I'm still unsure.
If true, it's a brilliantly funny example of the unintentional double entendre.

Kevin

 

[Barry Beeth]

Having spent a delightful evening in the company of "Blowers" a couple of years back, he says no, it's an urban myth, I wouldn't like to comment personally.

Co-incidentally, it's 25 years today since the "leg over" incident. Now that one did happen!

 

[Brum X]

Have they started a regular service of hop on and hop off tour buses in Birmingham yet? The last time I looked at this there was only, I think, a modest weekend service in summer. Looking at the many places that do have this service I've been amazed that Birmingham has not featured.

Whenever my wife and I go on a leisure visit to a city we don't know well, whether in the UK or abroad, we like to use the hop on and hop off tour bus service at the beginning of our visit to get our bearings and see what is where in the city in question.

TBH Mate, its the same at the moment and to be honest Birmingham is just one big building site at the minuite, even some of the road system is all over the place. Its probably better to introduce something more permanent when the heart of the city is not being ripped up to bits.

 

[Butty]

http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/business/business-news/record-spring-take-up-birminghams-11726970

Good news. May it continue.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

TBH Mate, its the same at the moment and to be honest Birmingham is just one big building site at the minuite, even some of the road system is all over the place. Its probably better to introduce something more permanent when the heart of the city is not being ripped up to bits.

Birmingham is certainly on our 'to visit' list hence the interest in the hop on, hop off buses. We know Manchester fairly well because our daughter and her family lived in Cheshire for 18 years before emigrating to Australia, and we also used to fly to Newcastle on day trips. We've passed through Birmingham by road and rail over the years but never lingered - not because we didn't want to but we were always off somewhere else. Furthermore, with somewhere as big as Birmingham it's good to get your bearings with someone who knows where they are going and the places to see.

Leeds and Liverpool, cities of which we have a passing knowledge, are also places we'd like to explore a bit more. My wife never liked visiting cities but down the years she's been converted to my view that they are not only interesting in their own right but centuries of history are there at first hand.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

It will never beat "the batsman Holding. Bowler's Willey."o

And Brian Johnson in commentary once said of the New Zealand and Worcestershire opening batsman, Glen Turner, who had taken a painful blow in the lower part of the stomach, as commentators delicately put things in those days, towards the end of an over, "Well, Turner is to continue with his innings. One ball left."

 

[wolfheze]

It will never beat "the batsman Holding. Bowler's Willey."o

Eurosports Jack Burnicle commentating on tyre compounds being used at a world superbikes event 'Colin Edwards had a hard on yesterday during practice and I bet he wishes he had a hard on today'.

 

[JENNYJET]

Gentlemen please!!! Women wince when incidents involving Gentleman's vegetables result in painful hysterics, thanks to God our vitals remain internally located!!!

As for the City of Birmingham, I am very worried that I may no longer recognize my way around. I ask if SATNAV devices can get me to Newhall Street irrespective of my intimate knowledge...of a long time back. My working knowledge of driving in the City is based upon 2001 street mapping and one way systems of the era. Newhall Street is divided by Gt. CHARLES ST. but I cannot remember if vehicular access was possible from either side.

I am sorry for drifting from topic but I cannot fathom what a visitor from China, India or USA can gain from an open top bus tour other than being chilled to the bone and bored stiff.

I live nearby to Stratford upon Avon, a place stuffed with overseas tourists, also not too far from Blenheim Pplace ( Winston Churchill birth place and a splendid day out ), the City of Oxford and my favourite visitor site, unofficially, Brize Norton Airport.

 

[wolfheze]

Sat nav will get you there no problem. I think the Aston Expressway might be closed at the moment but don't think you'd go that way in any case. Off the 42 at the NEC and down the cov road?

 

[Aviador]

Think I may have posted this already but here it is again – a drawing of BHX I did last year.

View media item 4072

Great picture. Have you carried on working on it because that looks even better than when you showed us last time?

 

[JENNYJET]

Sat nav will get you there no problem. I think the Aston Expressway might be closed at the moment but don't think you'd go that way in any case. Off the 42 at the NEC and down the cov road?

I would only go via M42/A45 if I was intent upon taking in the airport for leisure but as previously mentioned, it is the inner city road network, my lack of current layout and fear of not being able to park my vehice that bothers me most.

Sir Raymond, the wonderful sage of this forum, planted Wythall station in my mind, connecting to Snow Hill. A simply superb intervention and is one that may solve my problem.

If only the Tram network could be extended to all B postcode addresses. I am B96.

Anyway, I thank all members that have assisted me thus far, you can be sure of an update.

A positive outcome may allow me to once more visit the airport for purely leisurely activities.

 

[Brum X]

Birmingham is certainly on our 'to visit' list hence the interest in the hop on, hop off buses. We know Manchester fairly well because our daughter and her family lived in Cheshire for 18 years before emigrating to Australia, and we also used to fly to Newcastle on day trips. We've passed through Birmingham by road and rail over the years but never lingered - not because we didn't want to but we were always off somewhere else. Furthermore, with somewhere as big as Birmingham it's good to get your bearings with someone who knows where they are going and the places to see.

Leeds and Liverpool, cities of which we have a passing knowledge, are also places we'd like to explore a bit more. My wife never liked visiting cities but down the years she's been converted to my view that they are not only interesting in their own right but centuries of history are there at first hand.

BIRMINGHAM WELCOMES YOU

 

[Ray Finkle]

Yes Sir, always welcome.

Have you ever visited the Severn Valley Railway? It's a good day out and doable on a day trip to/from Birmingham.