Another day, another town....it's no joke

I've been a bit quiet on the blog front for the last few weeks as I've been on the road. There was one week when I managed to visit three of the four countries which make up the UK, missing only my birth nation of Scotland. And I can now categorically say that if you've seen one Travelodge, you've seen them all.

In each town or city I've visited, I've had to introduce myself to new people or groups, and mention that I live in Brum.

And something remarkable happened. For the first time, I've not had to defend our city from jibes or jokes - and to be honest, it was a relief. Times, they are a'changing.

Comment of the week went to...well, I'd better not name him for fear of reprisals from elsewhere in the region:

"Birmingham's great. Lovely friendly people. Great shopping, and good for music too. Shame about all those folk with odd accents from the Black Country who claim to be Brummies. Y'now - like Lenny Henry".

Now that's a spin on the city/region debate I hadn't heard before!