Happy New Year! Well, can you believe it? Another year has flown by already, and as 2009 passes into 2010, its time for the annual review of my exploration exploits over the past twelve months…
January: 2009 got off to a flying start thanks to a pair of Solihull visits in anticipation of the Solihull Network Review. Routes such as the 30, 671 and 672 were recorded as I ventured around Acocks Green, Olton and Cranes Park. I also enjoyed a local Wolverhampton trip exploring Newbridge, Wergs and Wightwick, not forgetting an atmospheric wintry walk through the mists around Shifnal and Kemberton.
February: The headline outing this month was a Sandwell Special, beginning with Carters Green and Black Lake then heading through Wednesbury, past the Myvod and into Darlaston – quite an epic walk that, my feet have only just recovered!! Elsewhere, Oxley and East Park kept things ticking over locally, and there was a magical morning when I captured some stunning snowy scenes around Bushbury and Northwood Park.
March: Another memorable month, beginning with a tour of Mushroom Green, Saltwells and Netherton, Black Country exploring at its best. Equally enjoyable was a visit to Chester and Mold with Woody, Rog and Andy, whilst Rog also joined me for a pubcrawl that introduced Bruce to the Beacon Hotel. The month ended on a poignant note as I bade farwell to Mary Pointon, Daisy Bank and Scotlands & Underhill libraries as they shut their doors for the very last time – a sad day…
April: The highlight was Highgate, delving into backstreet Birmingham with some Digbeth discoveries, namely Warwick Bar and Bordesley Junction – absolutely fascinating. My attentions then turned to Shropshire, joining the chaps for an Arley, Bridgnorth and Shifnal excursion followed by a family day out in Shrewsbury. Back on home turf, a Greets Green and Stone Cross outing introduced me to Ryders Green Locks and Wigmore Farm, and I shouldn’t forget an eventful stroll around Handsworth and Hamstead that featured the very elegant Hawthorn House. Finally, Rog and Bruce led me astray again with another pub-filled adventure around Coombeswood and Langley – I was serenaded by the Brownies in the morning, and Bruce met his alter ego in the Waterfall.
May: The fun continues with a solo Saturday adventure investigating the 36 route around Tyseley, Sparkhill and Stechford – another contender for trip of the year. Two Museums Day was fun, as was a tour of Cannock and Heath Hayes during which I tracked down the old Brownhills Library. Honourable mention should also go to Skegness, scene of this year’s family holiday – my day in Boston was an absolute classic! May is also traditionally home to the Kinver Carnival, where Woody stunned us by walking to the village via the Whittington pub (a wise choice) and the parade turned out to be two scouts and a fire engine!
June: Into the summer, but not as you’d notice. The weather put paid to our Warwickshire plans, meaning we sheltered instead in the Trumpet at Bilston and the Star and Garter in West Bromwich (now there’s an experience!). I cobbled together a few lunchtime locals based around Moxley, Ocker Hill and Coseley, but otherwise things were quiet for a change.
July: Thankfully July was much more productive, with Rog in attendance for a brace of the best. A Metro-themed Jewellery Quarter jaunt was followed a week later by a day in the capital wandering around Wimbledon. I also took time out to see the latest goings-on at Tipton Station, where work to replace the level crossing was well underway.
August: and the month kicks off with another triumph for Mr Wood, his excellent plan seeing us cover Chester, Rhyl, Prestatyn and Holywell for a welcome taste of Wales as Andy’s bladder just about behaved itself. Mark and I also indulged in some Warwickshire exploration, calling in on Rugby and Leamington before finding Bruce’s older cousin in Warwick Museum. Rog resurfaced for a tour of Chuckery and Sutton Coldfield, but the monthly title has to go to a cricketing trip to Nottingham with Nick and Stephen, a cracking day at Trent Bridge with the added bonus of a pint in Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem.
September: Autumn marks the close of the cricket season and its goodbye to the Edgbaston pavillion, now set to be redeveloped. The webmasters of SBI and WME link up again for two more travelling tales – the first sees us in Pattingham enjoying a pint in the Crown, whilst the second takes us to Coventry with Hawkesbury Junction featuring prominently and Rog sampling the delights of the ‘Craven Run’. I also make the most of a prolonged spell of fine weather with a couple of canal walks visiting Calf Heath, Coven and Brewood.
October: The countdown is on as the South Birmingham Network Review approaches, so Rog and I tackle routes such as the 61, 49 and 614 around Northfield. I’m back a few days later to add in the 630 for good measure, popping in at Weoley Castle and Bangham Pit in the afternoon. Mark and Andy then introduce me to the world of hubs and ‘turn up and go’ during a Worcestershire workout starring Great Malvern, Droitwich and Areley Kings – Su Pollard even made a brief cameo appearance but soon vanished after seeing Andy do his bladder walk!
November: The start of the month is dominated by Rog Week, seven days of intrepid indulgence collecting pictures and pints at Horsehay, Hockley, Pleck, Pensnett, Amblecote and Cookley amongst many other places. Its then over to Messrs Wood and Lunn for a tremendous festive voyage down to Bristol and Bath with the Christmas markets in full swing.
December: Another year of fine exploration comes to a close with an unforgettable fog-framed hike on the canals around Oldbury – the utter bleakness of Oldbury Junction marked a new low in the ugly stakes. Besides this there were a few bits and pieces mini-outings with Whitmore Reans, Wednesfield and Heath Town all throwing a few crumbs to the camera – and that’s that!
I always say this, but it has been an excellent, inspiring year filled with top class exploration. I’ve learnt a lot about the West Midlands this year, making some exciting discoveries whilst noting with sadness the closure of pubs, libraries and other landmarks such as Coseley Baths. My thanks go to all the people who made my adventures so enjoyable – Mark Andy, Rog, Stephen, Nick and Dad especially – and I look forward to seeing what 2010 has in store…
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