Due to me being born while my family were living on Alum Rock Road, I have, and will always have, a special place in my heart for the Rock. The nostalgia I feel when passing through is intense. I know most people don't like Alum Rock these days, mainly due to racial tension and some of the rumours that were going around a few years ago. Like, "No whites allowed" after a certain time.
I think it was after 8pm. Apparently, this was a demand made by a small group of knuckle draggers intent on trouble. However, these types of people are not exclusive to any race or religion, they are available in all colours and creeds. And it's sad that these misguided people give out such negative vibes. Truth is, while the area is now predominantly Asian / Indian, there are still many white people and black people living in Alum Rock. Also, add to that, there are now many people from Syria, Lithuania and Romainia now living there also.
I lived there when the the big Bingo Hall (previously a Cinema) was still there. Boxer, Muhammad Ali once visited there! I think he may have even opened it. You know, like a grand opening. Actually, I lived opposite this Bingo Hall. And when the market just a few yards along was called Saltley Market (Now a PAK Supermarket I believe). This was in the early 1980's. When entering the old Saltley Market there used to be a big red weighing scale right at the front entrance and people used to put their money in and weigh themselves. All the Pubs are now gone as well. The Tilt Hammer, The Village, London Tavern and the Rock Pub situated on one of the corners of the cross roads.
This was also at the time when the Saltley Gate round-about wasn't even thought of, and across the road from where it now sits there used to be a line of shops. One of them was a Cafe. It was called Chico's Cafe. That's long gone. I also remember all the old second hand shops. They were dotted all along the Rock Road. And of course, Variety Stores at the top end near the old Jaws & Claws pet shop. Variety Stores is still there but is now a different shop.
Not forgetting Michael's Supermarket (also long gone). And in close proximity is Saint Saviours School. There used to be a gas / cooker shop near there where my mom had to go to pay off the gas cooker the she bought on HP. It used to be full of cookers, and you had to wait in line to be served at the glass counter and pay an instalment. I was only young at the time and remember it as being very 80's (which it was) and a very strange set up inside the shop.
The house that my family lived in has been knocked down and is now a car park. Before the house was knocked down I went inside there while it was derelict. The door was open. This was years after we moved, and I was surprised to see that it was unoccupied but was being used as a drug den. There was drug paraphernalia everywhere. Foil, Crack Cans, needles etc. It was a sorry sight.
This house was seriously haunted. Many weird, unexplainable things happened / were seen in that house. I would love to know more about the history of Alum Rock, especially the history of the land which my house was built on. Or, better still, what had taken place on the grounds that my old house was built on. I bet the history would explain a lot. And I can imagine it being very dark going on all the ghosts and strange things that me and my family experienced there.
Monday 30 January 2017
Friday 27 January 2017
Mazda 323 Silver Fastback 94-98 Car
In it's heyday, the Mazda 323 Fastback, which is the old school model pictured below, was such an intriguing looking car when it first came out. Even today, it still stands out from the rest. Even more so due to the fact that they are not all that common as well. It's not all good though. I think that some colours of this car don't look all that nice.
And add to that, due to their age and low price tag, a lot of them these days are in pretty bad cosmetic condition. They look tatty. There are 3 main engine sizes. 1.5L, 1.8L and 2.0L V6 (around 140BHP). There is also a special (I think the fastest@170BHP stock) Lantis edition, but that is quite a rare car to find for sale, specially in the UK. Those who own them tend to hang on to them.
I've always loved the look of the old school 323's. At some point I will buy one. The silver examples look the nicest. The look sharp, and appear to hide the blemishes well. The 1.8 and 2.0 Litre models cost a lot to insure, so I would probably go for the 1.5 Litre. Yeah, it's the slowest of the bunch but I don't really care about that. It looks fast so that's good enough!
I think the smaller 1.5cc engine size falls into an affordable insurance group. It's either in the older insurance group 7 or 9 depending on the exact model. I like old reliable cars, preferably Japanese ones as they are no doubt the best when it comes to reliability. And the older models just have the look and shape that really appeals to me and sets them apart from everything else. Other cars I really like are Honda Civics, Honda CRX, box shaped Accords, old shape Mitsubishi Colt, 3 door Toyota Corolla's and Toyota Starlets.
And add to that, due to their age and low price tag, a lot of them these days are in pretty bad cosmetic condition. They look tatty. There are 3 main engine sizes. 1.5L, 1.8L and 2.0L V6 (around 140BHP). There is also a special (I think the fastest@170BHP stock) Lantis edition, but that is quite a rare car to find for sale, specially in the UK. Those who own them tend to hang on to them.
I've always loved the look of the old school 323's. At some point I will buy one. The silver examples look the nicest. The look sharp, and appear to hide the blemishes well. The 1.8 and 2.0 Litre models cost a lot to insure, so I would probably go for the 1.5 Litre. Yeah, it's the slowest of the bunch but I don't really care about that. It looks fast so that's good enough!
I think the smaller 1.5cc engine size falls into an affordable insurance group. It's either in the older insurance group 7 or 9 depending on the exact model. I like old reliable cars, preferably Japanese ones as they are no doubt the best when it comes to reliability. And the older models just have the look and shape that really appeals to me and sets them apart from everything else. Other cars I really like are Honda Civics, Honda CRX, box shaped Accords, old shape Mitsubishi Colt, 3 door Toyota Corolla's and Toyota Starlets.
Thursday 26 January 2017
Night Driving Castle Bromwich UK
The best time to drive is at night. Preferably in the early hours. That's if you don't have work the next day. In the daytime the roads are so busy. In Birmingham, the roads are constantly jam packed. A few years ago you could go out at say 10am, or even 1pm, and the roads would be fairly clear in many locations. But now, no matter what time you go out, the roads are terrible. It's not even worth trying to avoid traffic anymore. Rush hour is most hours of the day in certain areas.
Castle Bromwich, Castle Vale, Erdington, NEC, etc. And the City Centre..Haha. May as well catch the bus instead, save all the stress. Then again, nah, Birmingham buses can be even worse. I've done my time catching the buses and I hope to never have to go back to that if I can help it. One thing that annoys me with the buses, apart from the obvious, is the rise in bus fares.
When the fares were raised dramatically a few years back, their reasoning for the price hike was that the petrol / diesel prices had gone up, so they had to charge passengers more. However, fuel prices have evened out, and are actually not that bad compared to a few years ago when the bus travel price rises were first introduced. Yet there has been no lowering of the fares people have to pay.
When the fuel cost went down fares really should have been lowered to reflect the drop. They didn't lower anything. In fact, they actually increased the price further! Terrible. But passengers appear to have forgotten why the fares were increased in the first place. There should be a passenger bus strike! That would teach em. Personally, within reason, I'd rather walk.
Anyway, driving is better at night when there are less cars on the roads. This is why it's best to drive late so you can avoid all the hustle and bustle. It's so nice to drive when the roads are clear. Best time for this is between 12am and 3am. I wish I could do it more often, but other commitments and pass times, like sleeping, take first priority!
Castle Bromwich, Castle Vale, Erdington, NEC, etc. And the City Centre..Haha. May as well catch the bus instead, save all the stress. Then again, nah, Birmingham buses can be even worse. I've done my time catching the buses and I hope to never have to go back to that if I can help it. One thing that annoys me with the buses, apart from the obvious, is the rise in bus fares.
When the fares were raised dramatically a few years back, their reasoning for the price hike was that the petrol / diesel prices had gone up, so they had to charge passengers more. However, fuel prices have evened out, and are actually not that bad compared to a few years ago when the bus travel price rises were first introduced. Yet there has been no lowering of the fares people have to pay.
When the fuel cost went down fares really should have been lowered to reflect the drop. They didn't lower anything. In fact, they actually increased the price further! Terrible. But passengers appear to have forgotten why the fares were increased in the first place. There should be a passenger bus strike! That would teach em. Personally, within reason, I'd rather walk.
Anyway, driving is better at night when there are less cars on the roads. This is why it's best to drive late so you can avoid all the hustle and bustle. It's so nice to drive when the roads are clear. Best time for this is between 12am and 3am. I wish I could do it more often, but other commitments and pass times, like sleeping, take first priority!
Wednesday 25 January 2017
Quick Drives: Balsall Common, Solihull
Just passing through. A quick drive from Balsall Common to Marsh Lane, Hampton In Arden. Balsall Common is a nice area. So are the surrounding areas, like Berkswell, Barston, Meriden and Hampton In Arden. House prices are way above average. I seen a house for sale in nearby Meriden. Nothing special at all, just an average 3 bedroom house, with no driveway to park a car, and located on a main road. Price: £300,000.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why it's a nice area. Most people, specially those who earn minimum to medium sized wage packets, can't really afford to live there. I suppose that's the case with most areas that are considered "nice". The lower earners of society are kept away due to the high house prices. But don't think that just because the people who live there have more money that they are any better as people than you're average factory worker who lives on a council estate.
Maybe, overall they have better manners, and are more civilised. But they are still people, with their own set of individual problems and insecurities. And they have just as many imperfections and issues as the next person. Morals have no price tag, so don't be under any illusions. You get bad, arrogant or ignorant people everywhere, regardless of how much money they may have.
Actually, come to think about it, what I said above about better manners doesn't really hold true in my experience. Every time I've been to Balsall Common, Meriden, Berkswell, and Hampton In Arden, (which lately has been a fairly regular occurrence) I've never felt like the people were really all that friendly or welcoming. They seem to keep themselves to themselves. That said, I do really like Balsall Common and the surrounding areas.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why it's a nice area. Most people, specially those who earn minimum to medium sized wage packets, can't really afford to live there. I suppose that's the case with most areas that are considered "nice". The lower earners of society are kept away due to the high house prices. But don't think that just because the people who live there have more money that they are any better as people than you're average factory worker who lives on a council estate.
Maybe, overall they have better manners, and are more civilised. But they are still people, with their own set of individual problems and insecurities. And they have just as many imperfections and issues as the next person. Morals have no price tag, so don't be under any illusions. You get bad, arrogant or ignorant people everywhere, regardless of how much money they may have.
Actually, come to think about it, what I said above about better manners doesn't really hold true in my experience. Every time I've been to Balsall Common, Meriden, Berkswell, and Hampton In Arden, (which lately has been a fairly regular occurrence) I've never felt like the people were really all that friendly or welcoming. They seem to keep themselves to themselves. That said, I do really like Balsall Common and the surrounding areas.
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