Can’t say enough how beautifully I think the Icon Gallery fits in with what’s around it. Gorgeous.

Well, it’s that time of year again, and yesterday I hopped on the Midland Red went to Birmingham to visit the Christmas Market and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city at Christmas.

I love Birmingham as readers will know, an attachment I developed as a teenager, but I’ve spent my life working there, passing through, seeing gigs, going to pubs and cycling around it – after decades I still adore the place.

It was a grey day that brightened up as the day went on, and by the time I visited the new library at lunchtime, it was actually quite lovely, but cold. I went to the ‘Secret Garden’, the vertigionous balcony garden on level 7, which had been closed due to ice the year before. It’s stunning, and I must get up there one night when it’s dark.

I love the plumes of steam, particularly from the chimney on the Icon Gallery.

The clashing architectures, busy streets and bustling market were wonderful, and reinforced yet again why I love this place so much.

As ever, loads more of this stuff on my 365daysofbiking journal.

Mime seems to be the new busking.

Loved this ginger rag doll.

The old Central Library – another Madin work – will be gone in the new year. The revolution eats it’s children. Sad.

Give my regards to Broad Street.

The Post Office Tower looks sadly bare these days, stripped of it’s antenna.

Duck eggs are lovely, but too fragile to cart around Birmingham!

The ‘new’ New Street: this is a public face next to the ramp. The quality of finish is appalling.

Still hate the Cube.

On the far horizon, Walsall, and beyond, Castlefort.

The Mailbox, Gas Street, and beyond to Lee Bank; a sort of economic progression.

103 Colmore Row still dwarfs the city – due to be demolished, it’s a tour de force of Brutalism designed for Natwest by Birmingham architect John Madin and one of my favourite buildings.

The Icon Galley is the former school in Oozels Street. I love how well it fits into the cityscape.

Alpha tower, one of the most elegant examples of modernist architecture I’ve ever seen.

Brindley Place and beyond.

Down there, the city lives and breathes.

The stallholder was polishing – yes polishing – these aubergines as I passed early doors.

Tyseley Incineratior – I miss it these days.

How to you make a bull-cosy, and why, really?

Traditional German wooden toys always look a bit sinister to me, but I did like this chap. – this is how I imagine the Young David Evans.

This is not a spot for those afeared of falling.

Great view of the canal by the NIA.

Perspective is odd up here.

Shrooms.

I loved how the sun caught the seam as it drifted from flues and vents.

It’s very high here. I didn’t care much for the glass barrier.

Can’t get used to seeing tram tracks in formerly busy streets like Stephenson Place.

High above the ferris wheel, and nearly as high as the Hyatt.