It started with a return to my hometown of Birmingham. With the trip back down the motorway (or as it turned out, the 40 minute train journey down the West Coast Mainline) imminent, I pondered upon what sights I would see again.

And immediately, she popped into my head. One of the most famous women in Birmingham (well, famous if you've been there)-

The Floozie in the Jacuzzi.
(Actually named 'The River'. But that's just boring, and has long since been forgotten by many residents and visitors. And seemingly by the Birmingham City Council too.)

I had missed her in my long absence up north, and decided she needed to be told how I felt.

And what better way to send a message out to the lady in the water than by boat?

An origami boat.



So- the origami boat was tenderly constructed (on instruction from my mother, well-versed in such acts) and the letter composed on its bow, inscribed forever in Bic biro (black).

Dear Floozie in the Jacuzzi,
Despite your bare-faced cheek, (pun intended, by the way) you remain iconic whenever I think of my hometown. You are more famous than you know- I have immortalised you in fiction by making you the centrepoint of one of my stories, read the world over. Well...maybe only America, UK and Canada, but still...

You bring forth your spray on sunny days and cloudy- except when you break. But everyone has off-days, I guess. Someday I wish to see the grand spectacle of your source being tainted by washing up liquid again, and to see you bubble into life. (Literally).

Until then, you remain the most famous bird in Birmingham
Except that statue of Queen Victoria.
But I won't hold that against you.

Yours as ever,
Shia
x



Fittingly, the launch date of the boat coincided with the St George's Day celebrations in Victoria Square, home of the Floozie. Excellent, a public display of affection!



So, with hundreds of onlookers celebrating, the Letter Boat was launched into the Floozie's jacuzzi, carrying the message through the waves and to the lady herself, lying serenely as ever in the centre.