- Metro at Bull Street terminus -
A Metro meeting gets things off and running aboard the tram from Bradley Lane to Birmingham, whereby it was interesting to sample the new street-running section from Snow Hill to the current Bull Street terminus, passing the posh offices of the emerging Colmore business district. All members are punctuality personified in reporting for duty very much on time as the Chairman takes early delivery of a Bilston Steelworks beermat bonus.
- A Sleeve in the Subway? -
No cob penalties today then but a Cobs Bar does feature during our morning ferret around Horse Fair and Highgate. The Secretary's top target is the Bromsgrove Street underpass where Mr D9 is delighted to discover old closet remains among the standard Sixties subway mosaic effects.
- Bingo! The 97 at Chelmsley Wood -
Time for a proper Brummie bus ride with the 97 being on hand for our connection to Chelmsley Wood. The journey takes us through Bordesley Green and along the Meadway, thus allowing plenty of scope for silly song selections, landmark spotting and a Foster & Allen singalong. Secretary WME does however have to endure some dodgy tour guide commentary courtesy of a cardboard chum the Chairman has created especially for the occasion.
- A Chelmsley Cuppa -
Although this is an East Birmingham expedition, Chelmsley Wood technically comes under the auspices of North Solihull, not that this deters us from a breakfast pit stop. The indoor market cafe does just grand for a cuppa and some sustenance whereby Secretary WME narrowly avoids a messy accident with a leaky ketchup lid. Chelmsley Wood's outer estates then come calling when the 97A brings us to Helmswood Drive for a darting duel in the Greenwood, a 1970s-era local pub that still displays some original Ansells insignia.
- Sheldon Hall -
Returning firmly to our Birmingham brief we tickle the edges of Tile Cross. The Chairman becomes extremely excitable at the thought of crusty tower blocks and a vintage launderette before we sample the split personality of the White Hart by Gressel Lane (the cosy front lounge with its low beams contrasts markedly with the noisy brash back bar). Just around the corner is a surprise for the Secretary in the stately form of Sheldon Hall, a genuinely impressive piece of architecture albeit now in use as a Crown Carveries outlet.
- River Cole -
A further stretch along Gressel Lane links us to Lea Village and the local shops up by Kitts Green Road roundabout. We then pick up the Project Kingfisher trail beside the River Cole, snaking between Shard End and Stechford with the brown box Banks's Brook Meadow pub serving as our vantage point to witness Don Cossack prevailing in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
- The Raven at Stechford -
Suburban Stechford now awaits with the rambling roadhouse surroundings of the Raven catching our eye - it's nice to find a pub that stills retains its bowling green along with an extensive back beer garden. We even think we've spotted an actual raven bird screeching in a nearby tree but not being expert ornithologists we can't be completely certain as to the precise species.
- Hodge Hill Horror in the Hunters Moon -
From the Raven, a short shuffle along Bucklands End Lane brings us to the mighty Hunters Moon, a notable Hungry Horse establishment keeping watch over part of Hodge Hill Common. Here our dartboard exploits reach a thrilling final leg decider; D9 Destroyer thinks he's got victory in the bag only for WME Whirlwind to snatch the win thanks to a deadly double that left D9's eyeballs bulging in disconsolate disgust.
- Brummie Baldness at BCU -
A turn-up-and-go ride on the 55 transports us via Ward End, Washwood Heath and Saltley to Eastside, alighting at Cardigan Street for a fascinating look at the campus construction zone that is reclaiming a previously derelict area. Every time we return here there is a new piece of the jigsaw taking shape - it's seriously impressive already and there is plenty more to come by the looks of it. One attractive feature is a landscaped fountain that seems to have the bald spot somewhat transfixed!
- Going Green in the Woodman -
The Eastside area has also seen something of a renaissance as regards the local public houses. The Eagle & Ball (known latterly as Moby Dicks) has been restored and now takes pride of place amid the BCU building site, while the Eagle & Tun's remarkable resurrection brings back to life a building associated with UB40's 'Red Red Wine' music video. The trio of tavern comebacks is completed by the Woodman where Stonehenge Brewery's Sign of Spring green beer (yes green!!) soon gets the Chairman's full attention.
- Big Hat in the Big Bulls Head -
The day draws to a close with a distinctly Irish-themed finale in Digbeth. The Big Bulls Head has an inviting traditional pub interior (with bell pushes) as we sample Wye Valley HPA before transferring to the Kerryman for a nightcap half of Guinness that neatly matches our choice of headwear. A homeward Metro then concludes another excellent East Birmingham expedition - cheers!
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