Fog

Now I've taken photos in all kinds of conditions over the years, but I must admit that today's outing provided something of a first. In a moment of what can only be described as madness, I decided to venture around Oldbury despite freezing temperatures and thick fog. Usually once the mists descend I give up any pretence of taking photos, but today I decided to brave it regardless, resulting in a fascinatingly atmospheric slice of exploration...

The omens weren't looking good at Wolverhampton Station. Walking along the concourse, you could barely see the 9:19 local train waiting at platform 5. My ride to Sandwell and Dudley only emphasised the lack of visibility, with the fog showing no signs of burning off whatsoever. Alighting, I try photos of the station entrance and a haze-surrounded Railway Inn before tracking down the Birmingham Main Line Canal at Bromford Lane.

I'm always keen to do my bit pounding the towpaths, and I was actually quite intrigued to see what impact the fog might have on my photos. After a quick look at a lattice footbridge, I found myself at Bromford Stop, a seminal Black Country canal location in its own right. Here the Spon Lane Locks branch off to meet the Old Main Line whilst the New Main Line ploughs straight on towards Birmingham. The junction has two impressive roving footbridges which I had hoped to get into the same photograph - I just about managed it, but only if eerie shadows in the mist count for anything. Locks 3 and 2 provide less resistance to the camera, but the towpath is closed off before I can add lock 1 to my repertoire. Instead I have to do an about turn and finally track down the Old Main Line at Stewart Aqueduct.

What followed next was one of the most unnerving sections of canal exploration I've ever done. I could blame the weather, but I have a feeling that this particular stretch would seem desolate and depressing even in glorious sunshine. The main reason for this sense of discomfort is the M5 motorway, which towers overhead virtually encasing the canal between giant concrete pillars. Accompanied by a cacophony of traffic noises, I encounter the rather charming Blakey Hall Bridge, a traditional old style bridge that seems most incongruous in its surroundings.

If that find was a high point, the next sequence defintely provided the flip side. Venturing deeper into the recesses of the motorway, Anchor Bridge and Manchester Road Bridge both seemed charmless and functional. The worst discovery of the lot though was Oldbury Junction, which has surely got to be the ugliest place I've ever visited. I've always used the Bromford estate in Birmingham as my preferred example of a grim location, but Oldbury Junction has not only stolen the crown, its vanished off with it clean out of sight - no other competition need apply! The place is an absolute eyesore with concrete masonry everywhere - nowhere is this more evident than with the junction bridge itself, yuk! The junction provides access to the Titford Canal although I'd imagine some visitors would be seriously deterred from visiting the branch if its starting point is anything to go by.

Pressing on from the junction, the gloom lifts slightly even if the fog seems to be getting heavier. The Old Main Line flirts with the edges of Oldbury, taking in Stone Street, Seven Stars and Whimsey Bridge in fairly quick succession. Then its High Bridge at Rounds Green, where I leave the canal in favour of doing some local exploring. Brades Road offers a glimpse of the impressive Brades Tavern, but by this stage my camera has virtually seized up completely and my fingers aren't too far behind.

I perservere a little longer, and am rewarded with a few views of Brades Bridge as I momentarily rejoin the canal towpath. Dudley Road East leads me towards Oldbury Town, pausing for photos of the George pub, and I finish off with a brief tour of the town centre where both the Junction and the Olde Bulls Head looked inviting (or at least vaguely warm)! A highly memorable trip concludes back at Sandwell and Dudley Station where I catch my train home and reflect on the relative merits of photos in the mist. I might well return to today's locations in better weather - yes, even Oldbury Junction - but I doubt any future visits will leave quite the same impression as today's fog-filled frolics...

WME Update Digest: October and November

The West Midlands Exploration galleries appear to have undergone a process of reverse hibernation recently - quiet all summer then cautiously coming back to life for the winter. Despite the lack of site news on the blog over the last few months, there have been a few small developments that now merit a quick mention...

Having not issued a single new addition in either August or September, it was left to October to pick up the reins and get things moving again. The update was minimal (involving only eight photos), but did include a new collection on WME Shropshire. Exploring Wem has arrived with views of the Albion pub and the local recreation ground, a useful start to recording the landmarks of this charming little Shropshire town. Also returning to action were WME Walsall, where two library views joined Exploring Rushall, and WME Birmingham, thanks to shots of the Cock pub (Exploring Bartley Green) along with West Heath island and bus terminus.

November was barely any more successful, with only eleven new additions to its credit. Nine of these appeared on WME Staffordshire, where three views of the Why Not pub crashlanded on Exploring Essington whilst Landywood Station got a train photo and a platform sign. There was also a hint of the Potteries, never a bad thing of course, as Longport Station steps made a reappearance alongside first-time views of Longton Bus Interchange and Harecastle Tunnel, the latter being a particularly interesting landmark on the Trent and Mersey Canal. WME Shropshire took care of the remaining two photos, with a couple of extra train pictures muscling their way into my Shrewsbury Station selection.

So there you have it - I must admit that for two months worth of updates this was a pretty poor showing, and I am at least trying to make an effort to ensure December heralds a more substantial batch of new offerings. 2009 has been a year of struggle as far as the WME galleries have been concerned, but I hope to end it on a bright note and look forward to bringing you a more constructive digest soon...

Bristol Fashion

Saturday 28th November 2009: November's final flourish saw Woody, Andy and myself heading into unchartered territory with a visit to Bristol and Bath...

• The day kicks off with a ride on the local train into Birmingham, with Mr Wood joining me at Smethwick Galton Bridge. We find Andy waiting at New Street and make our way to platform 10b for the 9:12 service to Plymouth.

• The train seemed popular, but our advanced reservations did the job (thanks Mr Wood) and ensured we had a table seat for a relaxing journey. Andy pointed out his old residence as we sprinted through Bromsgrove, whilst the service also provided glimpses of Cheltenham, Bristol Parkway and local stations such as Yate. In fact, the journey was so relaxing, Woody decided to do some 'spontaneous meditation'...


• Bristol Temple Meads is a grand city station as befits its association with Isambard Kingdom Brunel. I really like the place and got a few platform shots as we made our way out to the forecourt to find our connecting bus. The entrance is particularly impressive, with a clock tower looming over the station drive. The 8 and 9 bus routes both terminate outside the station but their drivers didn't seem very keen on letting us board - the 8 drove off then the 9 wanted to make a quick getaway too and to top things off, the ticket machine thing wouldn't work!


• Things got even more ominous when we alighted on Bond Street in search of the bus station, access to which turned out to be via a grotty subway followed by a block of shops that looked every inch the mugger's paradise. On finding the bus station I wasn't that impressed either - sure its a clean modern facility, but it seems to have been designed specifically to stop people getting photos of the buses. We did get a few shots walking round the back of the layover area, but overall it was a frustrating location.


• To Bath then, and a ride on the X39. Andy's bladder was holding up well so far, and he treated us to a D9 driving re-enactment as we debated Mark's 'previous existence' as a driver at Stourbridge Bus Garage. The route mainly follows the A4 and doesn't take that long, despite the best efforts of the local traffic jams.


• Bath Bus Station was another irritating place, very much in the Bristol mould although I felt it did at least offer a little more scope for taking pictures. The station resembles a narrow glazed box perched close to the river, and seemed especially busy when we visited. I was intrigued by routes to Warminster and Chippenham, and also noticed a few Faresaver buses doing the rounds, a local independent operator perhaps?


• Lunch was beckoning so we venture into Bath City. Our aim was to track down the Wetherspoon's but we lost our bearings somewhat, although I did get a look at Bath Spa railway station and the Royal Hotel. Woody asks the police for some directions, and then its a merry dance through historic streets swarming with visitors to the Christmas market. The place was a hive of activity, and I rather enjoyed the festive atmosphere.


• After a few more twists and turns, we locate the King of Wessex and then have the difficult task of finding a spare table. The pub was rammed full, but we dropped lucky by finding a space and getting in a trio of Guinnesses to accompany our gourmet burgers. Actually, the food didn't take as long as we expected, and the chip count was considerably more than Chester had to offer.


• Our post-lunch plan was to track down the First depot at Twerton, but this was thwarted when the 5 failed to turn up (possibly because of extra demand due to Bath City's F.A. Cup tie with Forest Green). We console ourselves with some extra bus station photos, and I sneak another look at Bath Spa station, before its back on the X39 for the return leg to Bristol. Andy and Mark looked rather cosy when they both nodded off on the back seat!


• Back in Bristol, we undertake another Wetherspoon's hunt. The pub was once again proving very elusive, although I did enjoy exploring the city streets with the festive lights sparkling as darkness set in. Our search took us through the German Christmas Market and around Cabot Circus, the Marriott Hotel and the Mall shops, whilst our attempts to interrogate cleaners and information desk assistants only added to the confusion...


• One collision with Burger King later, we finally discovered Corn Street and were able to sample the historic surroundings of the Commercial Rooms. The pub was another example of Wetherspoon's utilising an impressive old building, and I particularly liked the panel of Presidents and a huge portrait of Brunel. The beer wasn't bad either, a decent pint of Ugly Sisters (a Marston's brew with a pantomime theme) that featured in our festive Cheers photo.


• The day was now drawing to a close, and we just had the simple matter of catching the 8 or 9 from the Hippodrome back to Temple Meads. Unfortunately the rain set in and the buses were nowhere to be seen, with the real time info display seemingly having a nervous breakdown. We worked out that the 1 could get us to the station, but by the time the driver had worked out our emergency ticket and negotiated city centre gridlock, our 6pm train home had scarpered. Luckily we could catch the 6:30 without any problems, so I just had time for a few bonus Temple Meads shots by way of goodbye. The ride home was swift and uneventful, and provided a suitably becalmed conclusion to our 2009 Christmas outing.

Despite the various hiccups, it had proved a fascinating day and I would like to thank Woody and Andy for their excellent company as always. I am very much looking forward to recommencing proceedings with a New Year trip some time in January 2010...

Pensnett, Cookley and Swindon

Time now for the final three episodes from Exploration Week, which include a Black Country local along with visits to Worcestershire and Staffordshire...

Friday 6th November: Rog and I meet in Dudley and set off to Holly Hall for a walk around Woodside taking photos of the local park, the Woodside Inn and the old Harts Hill Garage. For reasons best known to himself, Rog then led us on a tour of Brierley Hill industrial estates in the hope of finding the business premises of an old associate of his. Needless to say we couldn't find the place, but did at least get a bacon sandwich by way of compensation. Next is a look around Pensnett, a place I've long wanted to get photos of so I was in my element taking shots of the Fox & Grapes, war memorial, High Oak and the Four Furnaces. Lunchtime sees us in the Kingswinford, where we meet up with John for a quick chat, then its a trio of traditional pubs in the afternoon. The Lamp Tavern in Dudley was a classic Bathams as the rain set in, the Swan in Amblecote had a selection of Halloween themed ales from which we chose Demon Drink, and the Robin Hood on Collis Street was preparing for the big Stourbridge v Walsall FA Cup tie by offering Hackett's Ale in honour of the Stourbridge manager.

Saturday 7th November: The Worcestershire leg of the week, but first its a few piccies of Kingswinford and Stourbridge - it had been a while since I'd done a proper bus photo session at Stourbridge bus station, so it was good to be back. Into the trip proper and we catch the 228 bus down to Kinver to join the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal. Our walk takes us all the way to Wolverley, with welcome pub breaks at Caunsall (The Anchor, a real gem) and Cookley (the Eagle and Spur). I really liked Cookley, a charming little village with plenty of photographic interest including the canal tunnel, a traditional post office and a selection of pubs - sadly the Red Lion had closed down, much to Rog's dismay as he had fond memories of the place. Lunch arrives courtesy of the Lock pub in Wolverley, where we tuck in to gammon and lasagne respectively, but the walk back to Cookley almost finishes Rog off completely. We recover in the Bulls Head, where one of the locals treats us to his array of Cookley memories and anecdotes. With Rog still worn out, I indulge in some solo exploring heading back along the canal for a final few bridge photos as the light begins to fade. We meet back up in Kinver, where The Cross pub provides the venue for our pool tournament decider - I take victory, but only after about twenty attempts at potting the black!

Sunday 8th November: A short and quiet outing to finish off an epic week. We meet in Kingswinford, where the Remembrance Sunday parade is in full swing. The 255 takes us to Swindon, where we attempt another canal walk but it is clear that Rog is still suffering from the previous day's exertions. We get as far as Hinksford Bridge before turning round and heading into the Green Man, where Rog enjoys a pint or two of Old Empire whilst I devour a homemade roast pork sunday lunch - at £4.95 I was very impressed. Dessert involves more local photos of Swindon, focusing on the Old Bush and Greyhound pubs, both of which also looked most inviting. We continue to Wombourne however, where Rog is determined to track down the Mount Pleasant despite his ankle getting increasingly painful. The pub is situated on Ounsdale Road and provides our final drink of the week whilst preparations for a bonfire party continue around us. From Wombourne we then catch our buses home as the final curtain fell on a week of fine exploring and classic pubs - as they say, all good things must come to an end...