Waterways Walks: Wordsley to Wombourne

Thursday 15th May saw me setting out on a solo expedition, combining sections of the Stourbridge Canal with the Staffordshire & Worcestershire for a stroll from Wordsley to Wombourne by way of Stourton and Swindon...

- Red House Glass Cone -

I couldn't have wished for better weather as glorious sunshine smiles down while I make my way across to Wordsley on the 256 bus. I alight by the Red House Cone, that erstwhile symbol of the local glassmaking industry, and join the Stourbridge Canal at nearby Glasshouse Bridge.

- Lock 13, Stourbridge Canal -

The first stretch of my walk takes me down the lower part of the Stourbridge Locks and through to Wordsley Junction. The surroundings are industrial to begin with, particularly where the remains of the former Stuart Crystal factory overlook lock 13.

- Middle Bridge -

Beyond Wordsley Junction and the scenery becomes more green and rural as the canal enters South Staffordshire. Bells Mill Bridge is a place I've encountered many times during outings with Roger over the years, while Middle Bridge looks rather pretty surrounded by a leafy canopy.

- Stourton Locks -

After passing Newtown Bridge I arrive into Stourton where the Stourbridge Canal descends through four locks to meet the Staffs & Worcs at Stourton Junction. The combination of sunshine and springtime greenery means I'm being spoiled for choice in terms of photo targets, and the locks themselves make for an inviting sequence of shots.

- Gothersley Bridge -

I'd explored the Staffs & Worcs from Stourton towards Kinver before but never the section north towards Ashwood and Greensforge so I primed myself for some new exploration territory. I have to say that the walk was both fascinating and peaceful, as for a while around Prestwood I hardly saw another soul. The canal crosses above the River Stour on an aqueduct and then passes Prestwood Bridge to reach Gothersley where the bridge and adjacent lock certainly caught my eye.

- Ashwood Marina -

Onwards from Gothersley I encounter Rocky Lock (seemingly carved into a sandstone cliff) and then Flatheridge where the bridge is accompanied by a very pretty bungalow garden. An increasing proliferation of narrowboats is the telltale sign that I'm nearing Ashwood Marina, where a stub branches off from the main line to provide access to the private moorings.

- Greensforge Moorings -

After admiring Ashwood I quickly reach Greensforge where the Navigation pub is certainly tempting and appears to be doing a good lunchtime trade judging by the amount of people sitting on the beer tables outside. I manage to resist the lure of a well-earned pint for the time being but do pause at Greensforge Lock to watch a narrowboat skipper expertly working the gates and pound.

- The Green Man -

An enclave of mobile homes soon heralds my arrival at Hinksford where I spot the pumping station just beyond the wharf cottage. Hinksford Lock is just a little further as the afternoon sun starts to sap my energy, but luckily I'm not far from Swindon and a chance to top up my batteries with a spot of lunch. This is swiftly followed by a refreshing pint in the Green Man, a lovely traditional village pub where I enjoy some Ringwood Fourtyniner in the superb setting of a suntrap beer garden.

- The Bratch -

Re-energised I'm ready for the final leg into Wombourne, collecting an ice cream and then proceeding up via Marsh Lock, Botterham, Giggetty and Bumblehole to reach The Bratch with its distinctive toll house. There's just time to squirrel away a few final photos of the lock sequence here before the 255 bus whisks me back to Wolverhampton. An ideal way to spend a sunny spring day!

Hub Marketing 2014: North Birmingham

After an April break the Hub Marketing Board were back in session and had North Birmingham squarely in their sights. Sleeves, discounts and bald spot opportunities were all very much up for grabs during a tour of Stockland Green, Pype Hayes, Wylde Green and Boldmere...

- Winson Green Metro -

The day begins with a bout of tram hokey-cokey until the Chairman and the Secretary are reunited at Wednesbury Parkway. In all the confusion poor old D9 had incurred yet another cob penalty despite the Secretary having encountered his own timing issues. We alight at Winson Green with its colourful railings so that the 11C Outer Circle can be treated to a driving demonstration.

- Stan's Transport Cafe -

Some pizza-sized steering gets us safely to Handsworth where we investigate the Farcroft, a large Ansells landmark on Rookery Road. The Chairman is getting extremely excited and the reason for this soon becomes clear when Stan's Transport Cafe comes tumbling out of his sleeve - we have other breakfast plans on this occasion but the vintage Pepsi logo means we are sure to return before too long.

- Bald Spot Bingo! -

We hop back aboard the Outer Circle and continue our ride round to Stockland Green via Perry Barr and Witton. Mr D9 is on a mission to have a closer look at the Plaza Gala but unwittingly leaves his bald spot exposed when crossing Streetly Road. The bingo hall remains pretty much as we remembered it but the Modern China restaurant opposite has closed down, meaning the future of a building that was previously the Stockland pub is once again uncertain. 

- The Brookvale Bird -

Strolling back down the hill past the Hare & Hounds we venture into Brookvale Park where the Chairman's propensity for clambering onto animal artworks became all too apparent. His collection already included the Shrewsbury sheep and the Wednesbury swan but to that we can now add the Brookvale Bird - is no sculpture safe in his presence?

- Good Cheer on George Road -

With the Chairman ahead on the sleeve stakes the onus was now on the Secretary to see what gems he could summon from his repertoire. Luckily he had something in mind just a little further along George Road, whereby an old-fashioned corner shop still sports signs of a Good Cheer Cellars off licence.

- Pype Hayes Transport Cafe -

Weaving onwards to Gravelly Hill, there is time to pay tribute to one of D9's former work colleagues as we pause by some battered hearses near Salford Circus. Breakfast beckons so an articulated 67 Bendibus gives us a lift up the Tyburn Road where the Chairman is on the trail of transport cafe heaven. After a bit of a Kingsbury Road wild goose chase we eventually meander towards Pype Hayes Park where our sought-after establishment is among the shops opposite.

- No Hair Cut Required -

D9 had certainly given the Pype Hayes Transport Cafe a big build up but it more than lived up to expectations. From the Pepsi logos to the pyrex plates, the place felt largely untouched since the 1970's and boasted some antique Dixieland slot machines that are sure to have kept many a Chester Road trucker occupied during their tea breaks. We could not resist sampling the special breakfast complete with builders tea mugs, fried slice and the usual full English accoutrements - quite a treat!

- Beer in Boldmere -

Bolstered by such hearty fayre we set about sampling some North Birmingham boozers, catching the 28 to the Yenton and then touring the Boldmere area beyond Chester Road Station. The Rose & Crown on Gravelly Lane saw our regular darts duel get underway (backed by the strains of Jo Frost parenting advice), while the Boldmere Oak was a basic Banks's pub just after the Baptist Church. A bit of cunning planning from the Secretary means that the Chairman has the honour in the somewhat expensive Boldmere Harvester (staff were a rare species here) whereas WME can pocket the Wetherspoons prices in the neighbouring Bishop Vesey.

- A Crafty Checkout -

The Chairman had led the darts after the Rose & Crown but it was a different story in the Sutton Park. Any hope of hitting doubles had long since been abandoned but D9 was still confident of victory given that WME was a long way back on 94 - two twenties and a treble 18 later and some secretarial smugness was very much on the agenda.

- Cheers from the Hargate Arms -

Mr D9 definitely needed some driving therapy after that shock to the system, so there was more pizza-inspired steering action on the 5 back to West Bromwich. A quick pit stop at Pheasey allows us to check the cricket score in a packed-out Cat & Fiddle, thus leaving us with a brace of landing points in West Brom itself. The Old Crown brought the curtain down but it was the Hargate Arms that made the greater impression, the Chairman nostalgically reflecting on bygone days when the landlord would send him packing with cries of "OUT!!" whenever the young D9 was spotted in the vicinity. There was no need for eviction tonight as the Secretary cemented darting victory before a tram from Dartmouth Street delivered our heroes home. 

Nick Turpin (Retired) Rides Again...

Send for the Stagecoach! There's ale afoot in deepest Warwickshire on the occasion of the 7th annual Long Itchington Beer Festival. Saturday 3rd May sees the newly-retired Nick Turpin and myself swashbuckling forth on the number 64 bus in search of beer, Morris dancing and general entertainment...

- Tanked Up at the Duck in the Pond -

Yes, the May Day Bank Holiday each year sees the six pubs in the village of Long Itchington join forces for a collaborative celebration of beer, sunshine and general Englishness. Catching the bus from Leamington, we ride out via Radford Semele, Ufton and Southam to arrive in plenty of time for the day's festivities. Our dastardly hero Nick Turpin may be more used to highway carriages but is still happy to make the acquaintance of a modern tank before locking lips with a Dizzy Blonde. I was more of a Coiled Spring myself, enjoying seeing the falcons and owls displayed in the beer garden.

- Dancers Aplenty at the Buck & Bell -

Our first halves safely supped, we are intrigued by the jingling of bells, shouting and many murmurings of merriment emanating from the other side of the duckpond. The Buck & Bell has been besieged by Morris dancers congregating on the narrow steps beside the pub - this we had to witness. Floral hats and tankards aplenty ensured we were fully initiated into the spirit of Long Itchington.

- Buffalo Burger -

Next up we have the Harvester, savouring meaty mouthfuls of buffalo burger while swigging some Bristol Milk Stout, quickly followed by the Green Man where crowing cockerels by the campsite add to the celebratory air. We then cross fields and stiles down towards the canal, pitching up at the Two Boats for a taste of the Dark Side (from the local Long Itch brewery) before swapping banks to the Cuttle Inn opposite where a Marc Bolan-themed 20th Century brew tickles our tastebuds.

- A Talbot Tipple -

The Long Itchington sextet had served us well and the village had been delightful, blessed with brilliant sunshine. We were keen to make the most of the weather so a tour of Leamington was required, Nick Turpin thus hailing another Stagecoach by way of our return steed. The terraced backways between the canal and Radford Road include Rushmore Street, home to the Talbot with its eyecatching end wall mural. Some Byatt's XK Strong accompanies the news that Wolves are beating Carlisle 3-0.

- The Somerville Arms -

Other Leamington establishments include the New Inn (with clocks and Ren's Pride) and the Woodland Tavern (where even a dandy like Nick felt underdressed compared to some chaps sporting bow ties and dinner jackets). Our favourite however was the Somerville Arms, an atmospheric homage to walnut-toned bench seating where some Everard's Beacon hit the spot nicely.

- New Bowling Green -

Nick's newly-retired status meant there was no holding the horses and the evening saw us taking Warwick by storm, blazing a trail around the local hostelries in search of further beer bullion. The Wild Boar by the station is always handy for a porcine perspective to its ale although it was the Oak that relinquished its home-cooked scotch eggs. We are also confirmed admirers of the expansive lawned garden at the New Bowling Green complete with outdoor skittles and a Harry's Heifer.

- Turpin Topiary -

Things turned somewhat surreal in the Roebuck amidst French illustrations, topiary balls and other suggestive leafage - Nick could barely contain his excitement at the thought of it all. We recovered our composure courtesy of the Zetland Arms and the Punchbowl before departing the scene with a Chiltern Railways cavalry charge. Soon enough Warwick Parkway hove into view and Nick Turpin disappeared into the night, no doubt already anticipating future plunder out on the highways of Warwickshire. A glorious day!

WME Flickr Focus: February to April 2014

Looking back through my most recent posts I realised that I hadn't submitted an update digest since January - how very remiss of me! Having given myself a suitably painful smack on the wrist I think I'd better let you know what's been happening, although in truth there isn't a huge amount to report. My focus has been firmly on other things of late (most notably the need to secure new employment) so all photostream activity was placed on the most distant of back burners. Here's a summary of what few new additions there have been...

February's cohort primarily concentrated on WME Birmingham and WME Dudley. Brum contributed some views from Cannon Hill Park and a brace of Tame Valley Canal samples from Deykin Avenue near Witton, while Dudley mustered up a Coseley couple (Silver Jubilee Park and the Avenue of Remembrance) plus a 210 bus at the Merry Hill Centre. WME Coventry was notable for the arrival of Aldermans Green, represented by the post office and the former Elephant & Castle pub, then there was a rare offering from WME Telford courtesy of a Dawley Bank bus stop. Staffordshire sprinklings are the railway station sign at Cannock along with the 517 bus at Pattingham, whereas over in Wolverhampton we have a sighting of Stan Cullis outside Molineux Stadium.

March was a complete non-event where updates were concerned so we shall move swiftly on into April. Taking the honours this time around is WME Worcestershire where Cookley's post office and Red Lion pub made their respective presences felt. WME Dudley received a Cradley injection (the Widders and the site of the Old Crown), likewise WME Birmingham was boosted by buses (the 18 and 27 at Northfield) and a well-timed train calling at Aston. Elsewhere, WME Staffordshire got in on the act with Calf Heath Marina and the Cannock Extension Canal (a peek at the former location of Wyrley Common Bridge) and there was just time on WME Coventry for Travel de Courcey's 703 route to visit the Arena Tesco interchange. 

Hopefully there will be something within that selection that takes your fancy, and I'd quite like to say there are plenty more where they came from but given current circumstances such a statement would be seriously overconfident. I do have a number of photos waiting in the wings but actually having chance to publish them could be the difficulty. No promises for the moment then but I'll see what I can do...