Famous Five adventures in Birmingham

Right then chaps. As this Itchy's Granddad always said, 'the sun is in the heavens, burning your eyeballs out'. We're not too sure how to take it, but we're gonna go with the fact that it's sunny and hot, and we've been burning our eyeballs looking for fun and frolics in the great outdoors, Famous Five style.

Put down those pints and leave the pub immediately. This is no time for propping up the bar, dig out your gran's picnic basket, load it up with strawberries and cream, ginger beer and potted ham and skip on down to the Lickey Hills Country Park. 11 miles south west of the hustle and bustle of Brum lies a 500 acre enchanted woodland kingdom, the perfect place to throw down that tartan blanket and do some top class alfresco dining.

Work off your feast by sauntering round the sculptor trail, marvel at the mythical wonder of Icarus as he prepares to take flight, and have a gander at the Bird Man. And as always, you can trust us to inform you of the most important events going on at such a wondrous country setting, mark your calendar for August 30th from 7.30pm, as part of European Bat Week (oh yes, it's true) you can take part in a guided walk around the park's bat and moth trail.

With Birmingham having more canals than Venice, it's only fitting that once you've cheerily chomped your picnic and rediscovered the joy of nature, you should take some time out to enjoy one of man's greatest creations – the canal. There's hundreds of private companies providing boat hire around the cities canal basins; Parties Afloat, based at Gas Street Basin (0121 236 7057), offers hour long cruises and also private boat trips to attractions such as Cadbury World and The Black Country Living Museum.

If you're looking for something a little more luxurious, Away2Dine, the city's first canal cruising public restaurant, will wine and dine you in a plush and lavish setting, with mounted floodlights to illuminate the waterside by night. Exclusivity comes at a price though, so if you've got a spare £45 and fancy a spiffing 3-hour cruise and a five course dinner evening, jump on board at The Mailbox at 8pm from Wednesday to Saturday.

Now then, off you trot. If you need us we'll be scouring the streets for thieves and vagabonds, spreading love and good cheer to all.

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