I have been in the West Midlands for my Nephew's Christening and after visiting Brandon Marsh near Coventry yesterday, I made a trip to Hamstead in Birmingham today, to visit the RSPB reserve; Sandwell Valley.

I was last here in a very cold and snowy February when building work had not long started on improving the centre and facilities. Sadly, not long after this, the centre was subject to an arson attack.

I arrived today to find only half of the building still standing,...

It's hard to believe that almost 15 months have passed since my first visit to Brandon Marsh. It was the day after the birth of my nephew, Nathan, I struggled with a hangover in the heat, taking very shaky photo's and feeling sorry for myself!!

I've just returned from the West Midlands for Nathan's Christening. I'm happy to report that he is now a wriggling, giggling, non-stop baby machine only content with ripping off Uncle Alan's glasses and trying to poke me in the eye with them...