On the trail of Boon...

Last Saturday heralded the first Rog and Woody trip of the new year, as we set off in search of former Boon locations in addition to our usual bus adventures - here are the highlights..

• Smethwick - our meeting place, and getting there early I had enough time to investigate Galton Tunnel for a handful of photos.


• Boon Part One - a ride on the 29 down into Edgbaston in search of Berrow Court, with Rog taking photos through the trees. Chad Valley shops and the White Swan pub added to my photo haul.


• Boon Part Two - a walk up to the Hagley Road, across into Ladywood and a look at Edgbaston Reservoir and the Tower Ballroom.


• 26 - a ride up to Washwood Heath, giving me a chance to see Millennium Point and Duddeston, food for thought for future explorations.


• Boon Part Three - the joys of Highfield Road in Washwood Heath, never a place I'd visit out of choice but it was the location for the 'Grand Hotel'. I'd been through here before, but it was a new experience for Rog and Woody and I don't think they're in any hurry to go back. One visit is definitely enough, and we were very relieved to board the 90 bus and get as far away as possible (well, as far as Marston Green via Water Orton and Coleshill to be exact).


• Marston Green - one of my all-time favourite locations, and once again it did me proud. Time for a spot of lunch, a pint in the Marston Green Tavern and a few photos of route 17 buses on layover - perfect.


• 676 - an intriguing new route for me, the 676 is an infrequent Central Buses service linking Chelmsley Wood and Birmingham International Station. We did the section from Marston Green to the station, featuring a short run down Elmdon Lane for a curious look at Digby Drive.


• Tile Hill - from the Airport we headed into Coventry territory with a visit to Tile Hill, giving us chance for a few photos of the 34 and 19 at the Torrington Avenue turning circle, along with a quick pint in The Bell whilst Mr Wood phoned Traveline to check the times for the 194.


• 194 - a steamed-up Gemini taking us on a tour of the Meriden Gap, with brief glimpses of Carol Green, Balsall Common and Berkswell Village before alighting by the station at Hampton-in-Arden.


• Hampton-in-Arden - starting to get dark, with Rog and Woody concerned that I'd landed us in the middle of nowhere. At first glance the station did seem to be the sum total of civilisation here, but having been through before, I was certain the pub was up the road. They were taking some convincing, but I did get us to the pub eventually - and what a pub it was; The White Lion, a cosy village local with the added bonus of the Masters Snooker on the telly, all washed down with a refreshing pint of Thatchers Cider. Then its off to catch the 192 by the church as darkness descends and Rog bemoans his arthritis.


• Solihull - time for more food, and a visit to Wetherspoons does the job. A kind 37 driver let us hop on for the short ride to the station, and let me get some nice night-time shots of the bus, a real bonus. Then it was time to catch the train home as the first big trip of 2008 drew to a close.

Well, I have to say that wasn't bad for starters. The outing took us into Sandwell, Birmingham, Solihull and Coventry, provided good pubs, decent grub and some fine photo opportunities. More of the same on our future outings and we could be in for a vintage year.