WME Flickr Focus - August 2025

Followers of the West Midlands Exploration photostream on Flickr could be forgiven for thinking I've taken a sabbatical in terms of my usual local remit. Although I have been steadily churning out new additions with commendable regularity, the 'West Midlands' aspect of my output has definitely drifted of late, hence Exploration Extra continues to hold sway over all incoming updates...

That's just the nature of the beast with how my archival arrivals get organised, so for the third month in a row I am not reporting one single arrival from Birmingham, the Black Country or surrounding shires. I'm sure you'll agree that the situation is forgivable when you get the likes of Loughborough, Leominster or Llandudno instead though - let's review which prized pictures made it through my tough selection process in August.

For starters, it's a big hello from Headingley where I raided my May 2022 back catalogue for all manner of local street signs; Ash Road, Bainbrigge Road, Langdale Gardens, they're all there. Street art is also very apparent (with an appropriate nod to the Burley Banksy) so you can ponder alien beings alongside Leeds Rhinos references, plus if you're a fan of stadium lighting the White Rose-themed example from Headingley cricket ground itself might just float your boat. Nearby Kirkstall also made the cut thanks to the (Drink and) Be Grateful mural down by the Abbey Road water fountain.

I've wangled a fair few photos out of Wales over the last few weeks and that trend happily holds true courtesy of Haverfordwest (a railway platform running-in board with company from a war memorial dragon), Llandudno Junction (a Black Cat bus stop plus a very early morning welcome sign offering) and Llandudno the town (an 1898 date on the Imperial Buildings). I'm arguably most pleased about two Llanrwst remnants though, namely the Seion Chapel and the wonderfully nostalgic frontage of the town's former Milk Bar.

Not to be outdone by its Celtic cousin, Scotland gets in on the act thanks to content from Kirkcudbright. Rusty quayside chains are no stranger to my stream it's true, but a brooding war memorial warrior and the signage for the Steam Packet Inn are worthy of inclusion. If you factor in Kirkcudbright Parish Church and a duo of A-road pointers then it makes for a handy little bunch of Scottish stuff to supplement my Southerness album.

Closer to home but nevertheless beyond the boundaries of my typical West Midlands focus come highlights from Herefordshire and lumps of Leicestershire. The cider-making county contributes lovely Ledbury with its stilted Market House, not forgetting lashings of Leominster as represented by Priory embroideries, railway station murals and Pinsley Road markers. As for Leicestershire, I give you Littlethorpe's Old Inn and a Hinckley quartet comprising the Prince's Feathers pub, St Mary's Church, The Crescent shopping development and more art. The cone bats of Thorpe Acre and Brush factory logos ensure a little dose of Loughborough lingering, and I somehow suspect Exploration Extra will dominate for a month or two yet...

Packwood House

Originally a Tudor manor house that was extensively restored by the Ash family in the early-to-mid 20th century, Packwood House is a National Trust property nestled among winding Warwickshire lanes between Dorridge and Lapworth. My only previous visit to the site came with Nick back in October 2020 when access was limited due to ongoing Covid restrictions, but now - in the company of a certain Bookworm Bygrave - I have returned to take a closer look...

- Black Sabbath Mural -

Trip Log: Saturday 16th August 2025 and before any Packwood inspections can commence, I've a little bit of business to attend to in Birmingham. Whether I'll track down every single one of the big 'Bulls in the City' sculptures remains to be seen, but I'm chipping away at collecting them one by one where I can. 'Irresisti-Bull' lurks on John Bright Street and takes inspiration from the distinctive disc cladding of the Selfridges building (albeit in tones of blue rather than silver), making for a great start to the day. Nearby on Navigation Street is yet another Black Sabbath tribute item, this time in the form of an excellent mural along the railway wall; Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward have even autographed the brickwork. 

- Bullkins -

Still on the hunt for more bulls, I'm saddened to note that 'Bull-dozer' on Waterloo Street has been taken away for repairs, although there is happier news that 'Cadbully' is back on display in all its Dairy Moo chocolatey finery. 'Dare to Disco' meanwhile is bright pink with a Take More Chances message over by the Bull Ring, then the indoor malls play host to 'Bullkins' in claret and blue Aston Villa colours as a nod to successful striker Ollie Watkins. I've just time to greet 'Brighter Days Will Come', the Moor Street Station big bull with its depictions of a goldfinch and poppy flowers looking optimistically towards a better future.

- Inside Packwood House -

Indeed, I'm rather hoping for increased brightness today because the weather is resolutely overcast as I proceed to Olton and meet up with Emily. Miss Bygrave knows Packwood pretty well having worked both here and at the moated National Trust property of Baddesley Clinton not far away. Checking in at the visitor reception, we're allocated a house tour slot at 11:45 and are soon admiring the exquisite array of C16th tapestries which seemingly hang in every room. Downstairs we get to marvel at a dining room laid out with gleaming cutlery, then stroll down the Long Gallery to the Great Hall, which almost unbelievably used to be a cow barn!

- Bathroom Fittings -

Much of what we see inside the house today is the work of Graham Baron Ash, a Birmingham industrialist who painstakingly restored Packwood House over twenty years in the 1920s and 30s prior to donating the place to the National Trust. The upstairs quarters include two regal bedrooms - one named for Queen Mary, the other Queen Margaret of Anjou - with treasured possessions throughout. The Ireton Bathroom has stunning blue and white Delft tiling plus luxurious lions head tap fittings, no expense spared it seems. Apparently the house has two main doors, one for travelling to Birmingham and the other for going to Leamington.

- Glorious Gardens -

Despite extensive alterations, you can still get an impression of the initial residence that was constructed for the Fetherston family circa 1570, and we enjoy contemplating the frontage as seen from the wider grounds. Packwood is blessed to have gorgeous gardens where although the longed-for sunshine is reluctant to put in an appearance, it's nevertheless a real treat to mingle amidst the herbaceous borders discovering swathes of beautiful dahlias. The Yew Garden is a sight to behold, packed with topiary trees some of which are over 350 years old. The layout is attributed to representing 'The Sermon on the Mount' with twelve larger apostle trees culminating in a spiral path that leads you up beneath The Master yew. It takes careful maintenance over several months each year to care for these important historic specimens.

- Ring Toss on the Lawn -

Beyond the immediate gardens, Packwood is set within around 150 acres of mixed parkland, woodland and meadow. We take a turn around the ornamental lake, spotting a heron stealthily eyeing up its next catch. Back on the lawns below the main house, a selection of traditional games can be played such as skittles and beanbag archery. We give the Ring Toss a try with me hoping to gain revenge for Emily's recent winning streak (Moseley Old Hall quoits, Flight Club darts - she's gaining quite a resume). Whilst I would definitely argue I had the greater throwing consistency in amassing a perfectly respectable score of 60, the Bygrave luck still holds when Emily's penultimate throw picks out the centre peg for a 25 bonus to take victory.

- A Butterfly Character -

During the school holidays, an extra trail has been laid on for children (and big kids like me) to go and find favourite storybook characters across the grounds. Elmer the Elephant thus hides by a lakeside gate, and the Arabian Nights genie - complete with camel - lingers on the lawns. After a break for a hot drink and a slice of chocolate chip-studded banana bread, we continue into the Kitchen Garden to track down The Three Little Pigs, albeit the Big Bad Wolf looks nothing like Jane!! Perhaps my favourite set of cute cut-outs is those for the Very Hungry Caterpillar scattered around the far side of the vegetable patch; the caterpillar itself takes pride of place of course, along with the butterfly, a half-eaten strawberry and an ice cream.

- Packwood Kitchen Garden -

The Kitchen Garden more generally is a recreation of what might have existed to supply the Fetherston family's culinary needs back in the 1700s, cultivating a variety of herbs, fruit and vegetables that fed the inhabitants of the main house. Apple trees and rhubarb stalks blend with cabbages, radishes and broccoli, plus there are pretty flowers sprouting in amongst the onions. The produce grown is used to create sweet and savoury dishes at the on-site cafe, and it would be remiss of me not to mention the Sundials Bookshop which first launched in 2024 in the East Court. Emily was remarkably restrained in only buying one item from the thousands of donated tomes available, and the shop name alludes to the decorative dials which enabled bygone Packwood residents to tell the time over the course of the day. 

- Cider at the Punchbowl -

One aspect of the Nick visit from 2020 that I am keen to see again is Packwood Avenue, a prominent tree-lined path that stretches out to Chessetts Wood Road. It makes for a lovely walk, especially with lambs bleating in the adjacent fields, and the chance to meet a couple of adorable dogs is not to be sniffed at - one of them is an eleven week-old puppy who instantly endears himself by licking my hand by way of a friendly greeting. The afternoon is crowned with beer garden refreshment at the Punchbowl, a very classy pub-restaurant on the Rising Lane/Mill Lane crossroads north of Lapworth. Sharp's Cold River Cider slakes the thirst with the sun teasingly threatening to come out but then hiding again. Cheers!

Feeling Bullish with the Chip Foundation

The second stage of my 'Bulls in the City' summertime campaign is a statuesque contribution in the company of Messrs May, Walker and Beardsmore. Here comes Episode 88 of the Chip Foundation Chronicles...

- Mr B with Birmingham Explorer -

The usual evening instructions apply for us to meet beneath Ozzy's gruff Grand Central gaze, hence we all assemble just before 5pm. The cattle crawl can commence immediately thanks to ‘Birmingham Explorer’ as sited on the shopping centre's mezzanine level. Up and down the escalators we go in order to inspect a Philippa and Rachael Corcutt design complete with sunshine head and pale blue body. Smaller details include a bus stop, a playtime scene and a girl in a yellow mac laden with shopping bags, while the familiar locations depicted cover Kings Heath Market, the Bull Ring and Birmingham’s Museum & Art Gallery. 

- JC Beef -

Across the New Street concourse past the station's own Wetherspoons we go, descending the Southside Steps to reveal ‘JC Beef' as a bright yellow excavator-esque bull. This is an imaginative take on the iconic JCB digger featuring orange warning indicator horns plus all kinds of mechanical coils, springs and pistons. Over the road, the former Crown pub has become an impromptu Black Sabbath shrine with the faces of band members emblazoned over the window panels, then we proceed via Hurst Street to meet 'Bull in a China Shop' with its oriental red, yellow and blue patternings in the sunken Arcadian courtyard. The first drinks stop of the day is our old friend the Craven Arms, sampling cider, coke or Cappuccino Stout amidst green leather seating with mirrored backdrops - I always love its vintage Holder's tiles.

- Deliverabull -

Two bulls are to be found somewhere in the vicinity of the Mailbox. ‘Deliverabull’ is a playful postal inspired Royal Mail tribute - think River Rea maps, envelopes, stamps and a postman's cap. We then head down the Inhale Exhale AstroTurf steps to reach ‘Bill Bull Barge’ which carries the feel of old-fashioned narrowboat paintwork on the little pontoon outside the malls. Displaying a nominal barge name of Sweet William plus a neat chocolate box rendition of Dudley Castle, his body is mostly green with a blackened hull and the quintessential floral effects you can see daily out on the Birmingham Canal Navigations.

- Pravha in the Gas Street Social -

 Thoughts now turn to our second watering hole of the evening so I suggest taking a trendy punt on a bar that’s part of the wider Mailbox complex. First impressions are that the Gas Street Social seems very refined but we’re okay to come in just for drinks, in which case make mine a half of Pravha. Nick follows suit and soon declares himself surprisingly partial to this Czech keg Pilsner, although we do note Guinness and Aspalls are on tap dispense from the back wall. Sitting on swivelly high chairs near a curtained-off restaurant section, I supply Ken with my footballing predictions for the fates of the various West Midlands teams during the upcoming season; let's just say I'm not optimistic about Wolves's chances but I reluctantly resist the urge to tip West Bromwich Albion for relegation!

- Canalside Bar -

Two more Gas Street establishments await, starting with the Tap & Spile as a basin mainstay with much to admire. We’ve done this once before, back in 2012 when the narrow depth of the building stood out, but it retains its waterside appeal and general sense of towpath charm. Of the cask contingent, Holden’s Special drinks well (and needs to at £5.50 a pint!) aided by a nourishing cheese and onion cob. Following that, we pitch into the Canalside Cafe when a blackboard mention of real ales provides all the inducement Nick and I require. They don't have many - Proper Job versus Davenports XPA - so we go with the latter as poured (I think) straight from the barrel. Like with the Tap & Spile, we’re in a thin slither of an interior with only just enough space for a hotchpotch of seating while lightbulbs of different colours sparkle in the window. The original waterways cottages were never very big so they cram in what they can here, and the fact it functions as a cafe as much as a bar is apparent from the All Day Breakfast menus. We'd do this one again, maybe in conjunction with the Botanist and the Waterside Tap, a newly-purchased Joules concern which doesn't open on Mondays.

- Bulls-Eye of the Tiger -

Drinking done, we haven't finished with our bullish brief quite yet. Via Black Sabbath Bridge and Brindley Place we gravitate towards Centenary Square to meet a tiger themed bull by the International Convention Centre. ‘Bulls-Eye of the Tiger’ has the classic black and orange stripes and fearsome glare you might expect of a powerful cat, allied to the bulls muscular frame for a very striking, instantly recognisable creation. Darkness is descending and our resident royal is mindful of train connections, so we'll squeeze in one more sculpture...

- Moo-seley -

Beckoning across the square outside the library is ‘Moo-seley’, a sporting sight dedicated to Moseley Rugby Club in red and black kit. Studded boots and a stitched rugby ball for its head augment the effect, and the 1873 date is a nod to the club’s year of formation. Ken can recall Moseley's heyday in the 1970s as one of the leading amateur rugby union sides in the country and although they've fallen away a little in the professional era, consolidation has come from a new home at Billesley Common. Nick duly scurries to Snow Hill, meaning the rest of us can meander back to New Street for our train home. Cheers!

The Great British Beer Festival

I love going to beer festivals - especially those local to me in the West Midlands region - so when I heard that CAMRA's countrywide ale extravaganza was making its way to the National Exhibition Centre I'd cleared the date in my calendar months in advance. This my friends is the big one, the Great British Beer Festival 2025...

Nick and I have previously attended CAMRA's National Winter Ales event a fair few times - at Derby’s Roundhouse, Birmingham’s Bingley Hall and Burton Town Hall - but this is something else altogether, on a completely different larger scale. Unsurprisingly given its significance as the campaign's festival flagship , this sprawling showcase mainly used to be held in London (with host venues historically having included Covent Garden, Alexandra Palace and Olympia) but now it's got itself a new home right here in the West Midlands.

Catching the 10:45 Euston train from Wolverhampton, we arrive at Birmingham International circa 11:30. Traversing steps, corridors and weapon detectors, we follow helpful arrows to the allocated exhibition space and quickly get in with our pre-booked tickets. Festival programmes are £2 extra as we scope out the likely layout, most importantly identifying that Stand B11 is the cider stall in Hall 2. The beers are arranged across two vast rooms with food wings, game zones and a central shopping space for all your memorabilia needs. Some of the bars are named after rescued boozers (the Roscoe Head, the Woodman and the Drewe Arms being among them) while the dedicated brewery stands cover Harvey's, Green Duck, Thornbridge and many others. Expectant crowds are gradually massing in the initial foyer area by the Carlton Arms dispenses; hazard tape ropes things off until exactly midday and then the hordes are unleashed, whereby we make a beeline straight for the far corner to grab a table closest to the ciders. Let the drinking commence!

- Poised for Beer -

My first tipple is Egyptian Cream a.k.a. "the beer the pharaohs wish they had invented" - cue much lovely lactose, flaked oats and a velvety mouthfeel. This is a sumptuous Nene Valley Milk Stout as plucked from the Roscoe Head section, served using the purpose-built bank of handpulls installed at each station. Jane and Nick are both adopting a cider and perry remit, availing themselves of Beardspoon Ciderfect and Hogan's Perry respectively. We also have our collective eye on the scratching, crisp and brownie stalls so I doubt we'll be going hungry during our stay. Sweet treats, salty treats and luscious libations - what a combination!

- The Cider and Perry Bar -

Having raided the breweriana boxes for vintage beermats and a 1986 Good Beer Guide back copy, I next seek out Wilde Childe's Brownie Hunter for a satisfying dose of liquid cake; if the tasting notes insist on stating "dessert in a glass" there's no way I'm missing out on that. Nick partakes of the Tutts Clump Rum Cask (very definite hints of rum there) and locates the 22-person table football whereas Miss Woolf goes sweetly Welsh courtesy of the Llanblethian Orchards May Day cider, the programme sparking our curiosity as to what 'chaptalised' might mean. Answer = it's a technical process for adding sugar to increase alcohol yield during the fermentation stages, an act frowned upon in the making of truly traditional real cider and perry which relies on unadulterated natural pressings instead.

- Biddenden Strong -

His Majesty Nick busily scouts out the gourmet crisp stand without buying anything just yet - his amiable technique of circling for free samples is a case study in regal cheekiness - while Appletreewick's Traditional Medium Dry Cider keeps him mostly out of mischief. As if one royal presence isn't enough, I make the acquaintance of the Prince of Denmark courtesy of Harvey's own perch - seriously powerful, this is deep resinous stuff that's intensely dark at a mere 7.5%. That percentage is however dwarfed by the mighty 8.4% of Biddenden's Strong, a cider that both Nick and Jane can't resist from investigating with appropriately appreciative noises as a result. The Woolf is particularly taken with this one!

- Something mildly plummy? -

Eventually Nick does relent and purchase some Wild Duck plummy flavoured snackage to devour, just what you need after the Biddenden's intake. I steadily work my way through an Extra Special Marble (getting the clear tones of marmalade if less of the promised toffee and biscuity elements) and a slurp of Alright Treacle, a sweet stout produced by Ben's Brewery of Lancashire - I'll look out for their concoctions again I think, especially as this one does hit the heights of dark chewy toffee and molasses very nicely. A band performing Status Quo covers is on the main stage, hence Caroline, Paper Plane and Pictures of Matchstick Men are in their pounding set list. The halls are filling up markedly as the afternoon progresses.

- Pig Meets Woolf -

What next? Well it's no humorous matter when Jane deigns to try the Laughing Juice, a Three Saints full-flavoured perry hailing all the way from Monmouthshire - mark that down as another Welsh discovery!! After raiding yet more 12-for-a-quid beermats, I helplessly succumb to the lure of a comedy piggy hat when collecting my half of Iron Pier's Cast Iron Stout; beerwise this tastes very roasted and coallike, my tongue tantalised with acridness. The porky headwear is met with fearful astonishment by my two accomplices who probably dread having to wear it themselves. Nick deliberates profusely before committing to the Ayrshire Riviera Egremont Russet 8.5% cider with its Victorian variety origins. As per his usual festival custom, HRH is intent on concluding his personal haul with an absolute big hitter! 

- The Table Football Maestro -

Despite that powerhouse finale, Nick is still able to show off his table football prowess when beating the combined talents of Jane and myself 6-4. Miss Woolf finishes with Ross on Wye's Suzie's Catch - apparently named after a much loved farm cat - whereas I land on that old favourite Beartown Creme Bearlee for another slice of pudding-ish perfection. We bump into some of the Heart of Warwickshire CAMRA crew (branch leader Julie is a hugging force to be reckoned with), then Beer Festival law always dictates that we must have a go on the tombola before leaving. The Every 1's A Winner approach therefore sees Nick pocketing a t shirt and a pint glass, hence much rearranging of his carrier bag receptacles. Bearing in mind I'm already adorned with pink felt headwear, the volunteer sounds most apologetic in presenting me with another silly hat, this time a St George football cap with dragon tail. This all makes for a most eclectic haul coming back to Wolverhampton, and for festival fun GBBF can't be beat. Cheers!

Bulls In The City

The Wild in Art team are up to their antics again by collaborating on yet another Second City sculptural spectacular. We've had owls, we've had sleuth bears, we've had various Christmas creations (snowmen, snowdogs, nutcracker soldiers, reindeer, penguins) but for Summer 2025 the theme is... Bulls! There are several - large and small - to find around the City Centre, not to mention further herds in Harborne and Boldmere...

I'm hoping that over the course of the next couple of months, I'll be able to get around most of the trail but my first attempt at rounding up some cattle came during an evening with Emily in the heart of town. Aside from the artistic fun, Birmingham was in mourning for the loss of Ozzy Osbourne with the Black Sabbath frontman having passed away merely days after the band's farewell concert at Villa Park. Victoria Square was already hosting a display of album covers which seems all the more poignant now. Anyway, to the bulls...

We're underway with 'Bosco the Bull' which comprises a nifty monochrome shiny effort in Church Street Square, within sight of the Old Royal pub. Bosco's freehand form is intended to showcase natural shapes and patterns through black and white contrast. Trail maps can be picked up from a variety of city centre locations, with the main Herd HQ being on the Great Western Arcade. There's also a downloadable app so that you can pose with each bull when you find it.

Snow Hill Station beckons for 'Parkers Goals' as positioned on the station's Colmore Row forecourt. This one has blocks of colour as if wearing a sports jersey - quite effective as well - and was produced by Megan Heather Smith-Evans. The goals theme is intended to reflect West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker’s endeavours to create jobs, homes and regional growth by bringing businesses, government and communities together. Whatever your political persuasion, the region does need such investment.

Great Western Arcade often lends itself to the siting of statues and this time around is playing host to 'Bronco Bully'. He's a lot of fun, representing a cowboy design complete with lasso, spurs, pistols and a rodeo hat, all whilst attracting plenty of admiring Good Intent onlookers. The aforementioned Herd HQ meanwhile features 'Astro the Memorabull' in its main shop window; aside from the punning name, this is a thoughtful design because members of the public can arrange for the names of loved ones to be written on in memory of friends and family.

Chamberlain Square is the location of two bull statues, starting with 'Rainbow' with its Brum loveheart. 'Found in Paradise' is then perched below Dishoom; Emily loves its floral theme, incorporating a pale blue acorn leaf head followed by stems and pretty petals along the main flanks. Birmingham’s green spaces are in focus here, with an underlying environmental message echoing previous trail creations.

Over on New Street is a contender for - in my opinion - the best Wild in Art design ever! 'Cadbully' is an all-time classic, themed like a bar of Dairy Milk chocolate (or Dairy Moo, judging by the lettering). Hands down this is my favourite so far - even ahead of Bronco Bully - because of its purple wrapper, textured gold foil effect and general sense of humour. The signature Cadbury’s packaging is captured so perfectly I’m half expecting Emily to try to take a bite out of it!

Talking of my bull-spotting accomplice, we take a break from the arty action by calling into Flight Club for a bash at Social Darts. There are six different games so we work our way through them all over 90 minutes, with Emily proving especially adept at the Demolition and Shangai options - it's not for nothing we rechristen her as Bullseye Bygrave! Despite my best duck-shooting efforts at Quackshot and a nice win at Snakes & Ladders, it is Miss B who takes the overall victory and doesn't she look pleased!

After that, one more sculpture should prove a fitting finale in which case we can bid good evening to 'Bull Brum Lines' outside the Cathedral on the way to Snow Hill. The overall effect utilises a graphic design motif of circles, triangles, crosses, stripes and arrows to appear very impactful. With twelve bulls accounted for in total, that means there are 28 of the big ones still to track down, not to mention some of the smaller ones designed in partnership with local schools. The quest continues...

WME Flickr Focus - July 2025

Extra! Extra! Read All About It! So goes the plaintive wail of the newspaper seller - do you even see those anymore? - but the phrase applies equally well to my latest precis of photostream progress. As in June, it's Exploration Extra which has been ploughing the loneliest of furrows to keep the content coming...

Last month I brought you batches from Castle Douglas, Burnham-on-Sea, the Bristol district of Clifton and lovely Chester, so what has July been busying itself with? Our answer starts in the Cheshire town of Congleton where I have developed a mild obsession over Warrington Anglers Association day ticket warnings on canal bridges. The Prince of Wales pub on Lawton Street lends its Joule's Brewery lettering while there's limited headroom on a listed aqueduct.

I've recently reported on visits to Aberystwyth and Rhyl so the Welsh thread holds on Flickr too with a Fishguard flourish from my 2018 archives. Harbourside glimpses of stacked boats and fishing creels mix with unspoiled pub memories of the Fishguard Arms and the Globe, then we have religious ruminations courtesy of St Mary's Church Institute. Nearby Goodwick gets in on the act courtesy of the Methodistiaid Adeiladwyd detailing on the Berachah Calvinist Chapel.

Next up I give you Gloucester through a combination of dock warehouses (Llanthony, Albert and Alexandra), cathedral carvings - or cloisters, should that be of more interest - and pubs. The Imperial Inn's Bass allegiance was always likely to catch my eye but Robert Raikes's House is a Samuel Smiths affair in a handsome timbered property, and the Gloucester Brewery has its beer garden right on the quay. 

That's almost everything I need to tell you about, apart from another cheeky Clifton candidate (Cotham Hill's fruit and veg shop), followed by a dash of Dumfries in the form of the romantic Robert Burns mural 'A Merry Squeeze'. There's just time to call in a couple of components from the Crewe Rail Ale beer festival, namely a bus registration plate plus a set of signalling levers (with not a pint in sight I might add), and it's over to August to continue the saga...