Here are three images of Gas Street Basin in the City of Birmingham. The first is a photograph that I took when I lived there. The second is a digital image of the same location and the third is an Acrylic painting/collage based on the digital image. I found this place very atmospheric and interesting.

Winding my way along
the twisting towpath from Snow Hill,
passing the line of hollowed out arches in the wall,
climbing the incline beyond the locks,
under the low bridge my footsteps
echo hollow solitude,
the canal, narrow here, suddenly widens
as I leave the dark, dank gloom
of the dripping tunnel,
picking my way through puddles
I find myself within this secluded sanctuary
to find a collection of barges
moored side by side in quietness
and bejewelled in brightest livery,
the water gently sloshes and slaps around them
and a barge cat stretches on one of the decks,
from this spot I turn and look back towards the tunnell
and the merchant stores,
the buildings of Broad Street resting on top of the bridge,
I take photographs, then up the cobbled stone ramp
through the walled exit out onto Gas Street
towards Broad Streets thronging thoroughfare
and the hustle and bustle of Birmingham City.