- Hailing Morton's magnificent micropub -
An 11:30 rendezvous at Wolverhampton Bus Station is timed to allow onward progression aboard the 5A, riding up through Dunstall and Whitmore Reans into Claregate. We alight in readiness for Hail to the Ale, the reigning CAMRA Pub of the Year for the West Midlands region (covering Shropshire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire in addition to the West Midlands county). Some excellent Unweal Stout and Morton's very own Scottish Maiden are sampled along with a crusty cob, while the canine gallery in the conveniences is proof of the pub's popularity among the four-legged fraternity.
- 5 at Bakers Way terminus -
After a most relaxing hour or so of micropub hospitality we rejoin the 5A for the stretch into Codsall, encountering Birches Bridge junction but avoiding the loop around Bilbrook. Nick takes a shine to the Lone Singer sculpture displayed by Bakers Way bus stop whereas Stephen is more enamoured with Greggs bakery, eyeing up possible pastries for later on. A further item of intrigue is the Crown pub, currently undergoing a Joules Brewery makeover and set to reopen later this spring - it will definitely require a visit once the refurb is complete.
- Turbostar train at Codsall -
The Bull seems to be busy with pre-match football fans while the Station also boasts its fair share of Wolves shirts in attendance. The latter is our second port of call, a Holden's pub positioned in the converted waiting room and stationmaster's quarters of Codsall's old railway house. As such it combines two of my favourite themes; transport heritage and beer, a surefire winner! There are plenty of old signal box signs and station totems to add to the atmosphere plus the ale hits the spot - Nick tries Holden's new 101 Black Pale Ale whereas I opt for Pacific Cascade from Mallinsons. Being next door to the rail line has its advantages, so at one point I sneak out for a picture or two of the Shrewsbury-bound train, a nice little bonus that.
- Firs Club Cobs -
Codsall is also home to Wolverhampton CAMRA's 2015 Club of the Year, this being the Firs Club around the back of the Co-op. Non members are welcome here so we don't have to worry about smuggling Stephen inside; instead we can simply enjoy a round of cobs and beer (Three Tuns XXX or Belhaven 80 Shilling being the guests on offer). The Six Nations rugby gets going on the big screen and I spy a pumpclip for a mysterious Old Git ale which sounds like the ideal beverage for Nick to pose with (sorry HRH I couldn't resist). Stephen then gets his cake fix, licking his way through a vanilla doughnut in his own inimitable style with Nick and I demolishing an apple danish each.
- Domino in the Dog & Doublet -
Our return towards Wolverhampton includes a call in the Newhampton, a classic street corner local on Riches Street in Whitmore Reans. Nick falls foul of a Dirty Tackle here as the smoke room TV screen mysteriously decided to switch itself off (but not before informing us that Wolves were losing). We brace ourselves for post-game congestion as the 1 drops us off for the Dog & Doublet, our setting for some Domino Welsh Stout (Big Hand Brewery) and a few sporting updates. A tidal wave of football supporters then escort us back towards the bus and railway stations, completing an afternoon well spent!
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