- Whittle Arches -
With a Whittle Statue rendezvous set for 11:45, Stephen and I play sardines on a very congested London Euston train through from Wolverhampton - the combination of Comic Con and Motorcycle Live events at the NEC meant that the train was very popular! There is more room to breathe once we get past Birmingham International, and the 11U bus outside Coventry Station means we are in place under the Whittle Arches ready to meet Nick as intended.
- Fargo Gorilla -
Our first port of call is Far Gosford Street, a historic thoroughfare with many cultural features. The Empire music venue has a mural depicting Elvis Presley and Bob Marley, while the former Hand & Heart pub (now a joke shop) was an important venue for Two Tone and Ska back in the day. We say hello to a pink gorilla (as you do) before reaching Fargo Village, the centrepiece of Coventry's creative quarter. This hub comprises vintage emporiums and quirky independent businesses, not to mention several examples of urban art (hence Mr B gets acquainted with our second gorilla in quick succession).
- Twisted Barrel Tap House -
Fargo Village boasts its very own craft brewery in the form of Twisted Barrel whose Tap House has secured a place in the 2018 Good Beer Guide. The brewery has recently moved into larger premises where we can marvel at the shimmering equipment and commandeer a rustic picnic table. The beer menu is wide-ranging and exciting with sours, triple IPAs and fruity concoctions (pineapple) to tempt us, although the oatmeal stout promise of God's Twisted Sister proves impossible to ignore. Add in an earthy blues soundtrack and Twisted Barrel very quickly becomes one of my drinking discoveries of the year!
- Fargo Village Robot -
From Twisted Barrel we undertake another sweep of eccentric exhibits, saying hello to a rusty robot celebrating Fargo Village's third birthday. It's fair to say the place has captured our imagination so a return visit is a must. Today though our second pub is calling, Drapers being on Earl Street in the city centre (next to the Herbert Art Gallery). More God's Twisted Sister goes down nicely as we seek out the soft sofas on the mezzanine floor.
- Sporty Street Art -
Our lunchtime location will be Wetherspoons - not the Flying Standard nor the Earl of Mercia but the Spon Gate, part of the Sky Dome Arena complex. Speedy service means that the food arrives on our table just prior to Nick's 14:30 deadline (it is never a good idea to keep our 'royal' waiting for his vegetable lasagne). North Cotswold's Shagweaver (named in reference to the weaving of wool) is a decent drink, priming us nicely for a look at Coventry's Olympic mural. This celebrates sporting olympians from the Coventry and Warwickshire region, including Rachel Smith (rhythmic gymnastics), Neil Adams (judo) and Marlon Devenish (athletics).
- Belgian Blue in the Old Windmill -
Literally just around the corner from the Spon Gate lies the Old Windmill, our perennial Coventry favourite where the historic interior is full of interesting nooks and crannies. As the reigning Coventry CAMRA Pub of the Year winner we have high expectations but these are more than satisfied. A perch in one of the tiny snugs allows us to peruse framed paperwork from 1909 while supping respective halves of Backyard 1898 Dark Mild and Farmer's Belgian Blue (the hue of which proves a good match for Stephen's lemonade and blackcurrant).
- Town Criers? -
The pubs are coming thick and fast at this point as another very short stroll brings us neatly to the Town Crier, a Marston's establishment on Corporation Street. I am spared any crying of my own when news from Reading reveals Wolves are 1-0 up at the Madejski Stadium although I have to be careful not to incur the wrath of Beardsmore by declaring any England rugby scorelines! Ale-wise we account for Jennings Sneck Lifter and Courage Directors, plus more purple stuff for Stephen.
- The Golden Cross -
Our Coventry crawl reaches its conclusion with two final taverns not far from the Cathedral. The Golden Cross is said to be the oldest pub in the city with Tudor beams and jettied upper storeys to prove it; some Fuller's Damson Porter tickles our fancy here. Last but not least comes the Castle Grounds on Little Park Street, gearing up for an 1980s themed night with Rubik's cube and Space Invader details - I'm not quite sure how the bright pink bicycle fits in! Sadler's Peaky Blinder is a topical brew now that the popular television series has commenced a new run on BBC Two, and with that we say our farewells. Stephen and I have a much less cramped journey back to Wolverhampton while the planning for the next Chip Foundation half century is now underway. Cheers!
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