Another fascinating visit to Birmingham museum and art gallery.  

There's such a wealth and variety of beauty to see there!

I love the gorgeous frames just as much as the paintings themselves.

The Staffordshire Hoard exhibition has been revamped and is even more interesting than before!

There are touch screens to help visitors grasp the extent and beauty of the hoard. 

and replicas (which visitors are encouraged to touch) showing the workmanship and intricacy of the original objects.

The exhibition is imaginatively displayed.

This fascinating wall divider between displays has curvy lines in relief and where the room lighting falls on it, creating shadow, it magically creates a feeling of movement and depth.

At the moment there's an exhibition depicting Birmingham through the ages.
From the 'Make do and Mend' section - above is a crazy patchwork housecoat and below a sewing box,
both from the 1940s. 

Apparently we have Peter de Birmingham to thank for the town's markets.  He bought the right to hold the first market and Birmingham hasn't looked back since.

The lovely tearoom has been refurbished.
I can recommend its morning coffee, light lunches and the afternoon teas!

Another batch of beautifully printed 'Fingerprint' infinity scarves and silk squares made up & ready to go.

 Such gorgeous colours!

And Elizabeth Hope, snug as a bug in a rug! 

It's a girl!!!

Grandchild no.2 Elizabeth Hope born this morning, weighing in at a healthy 8lbs 3oz.

Here's big brother Thomas assembling the stand for his baby sister's Moses basket.

Wonderful hols in picturesque Morzine, 

French Alps.

There's a huge ski area spilling over into Switzerland.

And it's still snowing!