Horsing Around

Rog and I are embarking on a week-long series of adventures, during which I aim to bring you brief summaries of our activities each day. For starters, Monday's trip saw us sample the delights of Telford...

• 891 - meet at Wolverhampton just after 8:30, and get a few National Express West Midlands photos. Then its the 891 to Telford via Tettenhall and Albrighton - I was surprised to find that the route has been altered, and now serves more of Albrighton before heading straight down the A464 to Shifnal rather than calling at Cosford and Tong.
• 25 - after a brief stop at Telford Bus Station, we change onto the 25 for a ride to Wellington. Rog gets to sample The Rock, whilst the route also covers Overdale, Hadley, Hadley Castle and Leegomery.
• Wellington - the 25 pitches up at the town's new bus station, another surprise discovery arranged into two rows of red stands. The facility is a definite improvement on the previous interchange, which has now been converted into a car park. Our walk around the town includes glimpses of the railway station, the Charlton Arms, the library and the White Lion. We then catch the 44 back into Telford via the Bucks Head, Ketley and Oakengates.
• Horsehay - a fascinating little village situated between Dawley and Coalbrookdale. The 99 drops us off at the Foresters Arms, so we head inside for a pint of Cornish Tribute Ale and watch This Morning featuring Rog's favourite, Holly Willoughby. Exploring the area in more depth, we find the Traveller's Joy pub, the post office and village hall before investigating Horsehay Pool and the Telford Steam Railway. A real highlight!
• Dawley - our planned visit to the Station Inn was aborted as the place doesn't open on Mondays, so we continue into Dawley only to encounter more difficulties. One of my perennial Telford favourites, Dawley today sadly resembled something of a ghost town with the Lord Hill leading the casualty list amongst the local pubs. Eventually we track down the Church Wicketts for a pint of 'Hoppiness' and a spot of lunch, whereby Rog was impressed by the size of my yorkshire pudding wrap.
• Madeley - a run on the 22 via Aqueduct and Woodside brings us to Madeley, where we sample our second Foresters Arms of the day. This example provided a decent drink before we climb the High Street, noting redevelopment works at the local square. I grab a photo of the 44 and then we recommence battle with the 22, completing the leg back to Telford via Sutton Hill, Brookside, Randlay and Hollinswood.
• Great Western - we just about catch the 891 back to Wolverhampton, but the journey proves tortuous for Rog as he suffers agony with his bladder. Thankfully he kept himself together, and we were able to meet up with Stephen to celebrate his birthday with a drink in the Great Western. Rog tries to educate Mr B on all matters Formula One, and its a convivial end to the start of the week...