Shrewsbury then Sandwell

Just when you thought it was safe, I've got a couple more adventures to tell you about...

Tuesday 14th April - a day out with the family as we visited Shrewsbury. After lunch at the Dragon King oriental buffet, we head up into town and I go into photo mode. A number of pubs caught my eye, including the Wheatsheaf, the Three Fishes and the Yorkshire House. I also got some bus shots by St Mary's Church - the routes captured included the 25 to Bayston Hill and the 435 Minsterley Motors to Ludlow. A particular highlight was a walk around the grounds of Shrewsbury Castle, the gardens looked stunning with an array of colourful flowers and the occasional gun cannon too. After a quick stop at the bus station, I decided to have a stroll along the river for a closer look at the scenic English Bridge, and the visit was completed by a drink in the Shrewsbury Hotel Wetherspoon's. A cracking bit of bonus Shropshire exploration.

Monday 20th April - Back on home turf this time with a Sandwell special visiting Greets Green and Stone Cross.

• My first port of call is Toll End for some pub photos featuring the Kings Arms, the Comedian and the Rising Sun (an intriguing old pub on Horseley Road).
• On to the Walsall Canal, exploring the section from Moors Mill Bridge into Great Bridge town centre with Hempole Bridge and Brickhouse Lane providing further discoveries.
• After a quick mooch around Great Bridge Library, its off to Greets Green for a look at the Royal Oak followed by Farley Park. The park was a cracking find, especially the old lodge which now serves as the local community centre. Further up is the old Greets Green Post Office and the Fox and Goose pub near Belper Bridge.
• I couldn't resist an extra slice of canal exploration, so I join the Wednesbury Old Canal at Belper Bridge and wander up to Ryders Green Road. The walk introduces me to Ryders Green Junction, where the Walsall Canal heads off down Ryders Green Locks - the nearby Eight Locks pub (complete with lots of England flags) provides a useful indicator of how many locks there are. A quick look at Hadley's Bridge completes my Wednesbury Old Canal taster session.
• I'm now on the trail of the 430 bus, walking down Whitgreave Street before catching the route on Oldbury Road. The route does a loop of Greets Green, providing glimpses of the Jolly Sailor, before returning to West Bromwich via Albion and Dawes Avenue. Albion Junction, the Yew Tree pub and Sams Lane provide ideas for further investigation.
• From West Brom its onto the 646 Diamond bus to Stone Cross, offering a tour of Tantany, Wigmore Farm and Charlemont Farm. A nice ride, I particularly liked the almost rural views on the approach to Wigmore Farm, and it was good to finally cover the Charlemont Farm estate with its local shops, blocks of flats and the somewhat overgrown Mill pub.
• Stone Cross then, trying a 646 terminus shot before concentrating on the landmark Stone Cross pub overlooking the gyratory system. I grab a spot of lunch and plot my way up through Friar Park to the Woods Estate where I hope to catch the 645 route. The walk includes a look at Stone Cross Library on Beverley Road, the Manor House off Hall Green Road (a fine black and white timbered building) and a call at the towering ugliness that is Crankhall Lane Bridge on the Tame Valley Canal. The Friar Park pub precedes the local Lidl supermarket, then Coronation Road takes me to the Windmill for a shortcut to Kent Road.
• The 645, also operated by Black Diamond, connects the Woods Estate with Darlaston. Notable features include the Woodlands Social on Kent Road, then a tour of Wednesbury covering Brunswick Park, the town centre, the Woden Inn and the church. Quiet residential streets take us to Darlaston, although I do catch sight of the Rose Hill Tavern, Albert Pritchard Infants School and the Black Horse. The trip is completed with a couple of bus shots at Asda terminus, and a ride on the 79 back to Wolverhampton.