Exploring Essington

A great bit of local exploration yesterday saw me visit some old Wolverhampton haunts and also venturing out into Staffordshire.

The Wolverhampton haunts included Ashmore Park, where I tracked down the True Briton pub on Snape Road to add another piece to the Wolverhampton pubs jigsaw - I vaguely knew the pub existed but it was good to finally have a proper look. I also called in at Long Knowle and Underhill, adding to my library photos with the Scotlands & Underhill branch on Masefield Road.

The Wolverhampton stuff was fantastic, but the real highlight was venturing into Staffordshire to explore Essington. The village has featured in countless journeys on the way to Nan's old house in Bloxwich, as well as visits to Sunday car boots at the fruit farm, but this was my first time having a proper look around. I wasn't disappointed, with photos provided by local shops and the inviting looking Minerva pub. I really like investigating villages such as this - it gets me away from the urban sprawl for a bit, and gives me a taste of the essence of England.

By way of an added bonus, the walk provided opportunities to take a few bus photos, and I was particularly pleased to add a few more Green Bus photos to my archive. With an ageing fleet of vehicles, the Green Bus Service has a charm and friendliness that combined with cheerful drivers helps make phototaking a pleasure. The 8 runs hourly through Essington, so I ambushed the 11:15 for a shot on its way to Wolverhampton, before finding the 16 as it terminated near Essington Church. Delighted with my bus pics at Essington, I captured the 8 at Long Knowle for good measure and allowed myself to return to TWM reality with a shot of the 511 at Underhill.

Some of the photos have already found their way onto WME1 as I couldn't resist trying them out online, and I look forward to adding a few more in due course. All in all, a fine way to spend a quiet Friday morning in August.