- Midland Metro at Grand Central -
The trip begins with our standard Metro meeting at Bradley Lane but this time we would be continuing to the line's new terminus at Grand Central - yes, the Birmingham City Centre extension is now fully operational! Reconfigured access has been restored at Snow Hill, then from Bull Street the track sweeps into Corporation Street (served by a shoppers halt) before the final bend to Stephenson Street to finish alongside New Street Station's shiny mirrored frontage. Members hope that the new link will prove a success and encourage further development of the tram network.
- Promoting Peace in Central Birmingham -
A Peace Hub photo call keeps the Chairman out of mischief back at Bull Street, then there's a bacon bap stop to fuel us for a ride on the 65 to Aston Station. Secretary WME's planned morning ferret encompasses a loop of Aston and Nechells, picking out pictures of the restored Aston Tavern (brought back to life near the parish church in response to the demise of the King Edward VII), the shell of the Rotala Garage on Long Acre followed by the Villa Tavern with Ansells heritage by the old Nechells Baths.
- Blue Skies at Star City -
Mr D9 takes over navigation duties on Aston Church Road, cheerfully homing in on his Taxi Hub sleeve surprise for which he is granted the appropriate credit. The Secretary meanwhile gets more excited about Star City, the bold brash entertainments complex built on a reclaimed industrial site which now boasts the Vue multiscreen cinema and the Genting Club casino as principal attractions. The 66 bus tootles by as we join the Grand Union Canal off Cuckoo Road, strolling the short distance to Salford Junction trying not to get pecked by hissing geese.
- The Bald Spot seeks Spaghetti -
Soviet swimming pools don't come much more stark than at Salford, buried in the twilight zone beneath Spaghetti Junction's concrete carriageways. The location prompts a WME silly song 'On top of Spaghetti', a scouting tale of runaway meatballs that keeps our spirits high for more dubious architecture on the Birmingham & Fazeley. The relentless hum of an electricity generator plant greets us next closely followed by a tunnel below an old factory unit - the whole sequence prompts D9 into doing some unscheduled 'hoovering' on the approach to Bromford Lane.
- Erdington Hall Bridge -
So far so good and we now have a lunch date with an old friend to attend to. The acquaintance in question is the Pype Hayes Transport Cafe, proud proclaimer of vintage Pepsi signage and some seemingly ancient pinball machines. Squeezy sauce bottles and hints of formica hark back to the 1970s as we sample the specials menu and watch the Chester Road world go by. Some of the regulars are priceless characters that help give the cafe its beguiling earthy charm - it's not a place for anyone on a diet but we are somewhat smitten with it!
- Beer at the Bagot -
With D9 still drooling about such timeless greasy spoon appeal we relocate to the nearby Bagot Arms for our opening drink of the day. A steady half allows our stomachs to settle while we can chalk another sprawling suburban Birmingham roadhouse off the Hub Marketing to do list. A quick check on the Chairman's newly-installed bus app confirms that the 28 is imminent so we make tracks for Erdington via Wylde Green, the route in full linking Scott Arms with the Heartlands Hospital.
- WME Whirlwind primed for victory -
Our pub choice in Erdington is the Royal Oak, a traditional M&B number situated one corner across from the more ostentatious Red Lion. Given the Irish influence here some Guinness seems appropriate, providing lubrication for our misguided attempts to play darts despite only having two fully functioning arrows at our disposal; when one of these then suffers a broken flight we still soldier on gamely, Secretary WME taking a 5-1 lead whereas D9 Destroyer took his nickname a little too literally!
- Golden Hind, Kingstanding -
Another trundle on the 28 offers sighters of Short Heath and Warren Farm, places that have limited coverage in the Secretary's photo archive (WME senses another mission forming). Although both localities are tempting, we stay aboard until Old Oscott where there are interesting gems to be discovered in the Birdbrook Road vicinity - a possible Good Cheers Cellars site followed by the Brooklyn Fish Bar sporting signs for Fleur de Lys pies. The Drakes Drum and the Golden Hind are both large corner pub landmarks operating under the Sizzling brand - some Greene King IPA in each keeps things moving as the darts scoreline progresses to WME 9 D9 2 until our stricken flight gives up the ghost completely.
- Closet Concentration at Brownhills -
And now for something completely different as our Birmingham brief gets noisily interrupted by a whiff of Walsall, Brownhills to be precise. Secretary WME has heard wind of a Backyard Brewery bar lurking somewhere amidst an outlying industrial estate so we pick up the Platinum 937 for a luxury ride up through Kingstanding and Aldridge. Disembarking at Brownhills Parade means the Chairman's closed closet cravings can be sated at Holland Park, then we're free to go onwards to Ogley Corner and beyond...
- Backyard Brewhouse -
The Backyard Brewhouse is based on the Gatehouse Trading Estate off Lichfield Road and they open up their 'Tap Room' (otherwise known as Unit 8A) every Friday afternoon for a few hours. It feels a bit like drinking in someone's lock up, albeit your average garage does not usually contain quite this array of brewing equipment. Secretary WME is quick to opt for the Coaltown Coffee Stout (liquid charcoal) whereas Mr D9 makes a personal connection with a fragrantly scented Blonde (not to mention a bag of scratchings). More microbrewers seem to be opening their doors to paying punters in this fashion, something Hub members are wholeheartedly happy to support!
- Daughter Driving on the 997 -
We haven't finished with Walsall just yet though - Aldridge also requires our ale attention as the setting of a recently opened micropub, the Turtles Head. Situated on Croft Parade adjoining the town's main shopping square, this is a compact storefront affair combining five or so changing beers with a selection of real ciders. John Bull Bitter gets a patriotic nod as we introduce ourselves to the cuddly turtle toy collection, and when some complimentary chips are proffered we are easily persuaded to stay for an extra drink (Church End's What the Foxes Hat). The Chairman unwisely requests a Crown Carvery call for splash and dash dishwater but we recover aboard a very special 997, the bus being named after D9's eldest daughter. From Walsall Bradford Place we have a hairy encounter (in a nice way) on the 34 before finally moseying into Moxley for a Fiery Holes nightcap, job done! Together with Wednesday's trip to the Black Country Museum that all adds up to two brilliant birthday outings - cheers!
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