Soaking up the Shropshire Sunshine

Saturday 9th April: Rail Rover Week might be over but there's no end to the exploring as I join Messrs Lunn, Chance and Wood for a Salopian circuit of Bridgnorth, Shrewsbury, Newport and Stafford...

890: The day begins at Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton where our intrepid quartet join the worryingly long queue for the Bridgnorth bus. Whilst waiting, Andy brings me up to speed on the latest proposals for the Stafford Road hub incorporating 'Book-a-Banga' options for those who can't ride bicycles. When it finally arrives the bus predictably becomes rammed so it's a case of standing room only and cling on for dear life. We whizz through Compton and Wightwick noting the various disappointed faces who aren't let on because the bus is so full, then it's out into Shropshire via Shipley, Rudge Heath and Worfield. At Bridgnorth we make a curious detour into the Stanmore Industrial Estate to pick up some Arriva drivers who are let on board despite the fact passengers were turned away earlier, hardly the greatest example of customer relations then!

- Northgate, Bridgnorth -

Bridgnorth: The town seems very popular today with people making the most of the wonderful weather. We alight by the Bear Tavern for a couple of bus photos and I add in a few streetscenes admiring the architecture of Northgate. After our cramped harum-scarum 890 ordeal we urgently needed a refreshing drink so we call into Wetherspoon's The Jewel of the Severn where Rog battles his phone to try and get news of the F1 qualifying - he'd have been just as well flying to Malaysia to find out in person given how long it took for the information to load...

437: Our next move sees us waiting back at the Bear bus stop for any sign of our Shrewsbury connection, due at 11:37 but only arriving at gone midday just as we were about to give up all hope. All the hanging about meant Andy went into D9 overdrive, firstly when leaving Bridgnorth (see below) and then for a spot of extended open throttle chugging his way through Cross Houses. In between times the route called at Harley and Cressage, detours that we didn't think met the criteria for thick blue lines or 'turn up and go'.

- D9 strikes again -

Shrewsbury: Lunchtime, hence a dash to the Shrewsbury Hotel Wetherspoon's where I bypass my comrades in cheekily getting a pint of Bateman's All Seasons whilst they were still waiting at the other end of the bar. Our food order consisted of the customary gourmet burgers and chicken tikka masala (but no side-orders of horseradish), and I also perused the bookshelves where the titles included 'Creative Conflict', 'Wood Heart' and 'The Secrets of Mr Wood's Wallet' - ok I admit it, I made the last one up!

Three Fishes: With some extra time to spare we decided to sample one of Shrewsbury's historic alehouses. The Three Fishes is located in the narrow medieval quarter just below St Alkmund's church and is a half-timbered building with low beams and much charm. We find a corner table where the staff kindly obliged us with a Cheers photo, and I thoroughly enjoyed my pint of Midnight Stout from the Woodlands Brewery in Cheshire, nice and nutty with a roasted fragrance. The only downside to the visit was finding out that Wolves had lost 3-0 at home to Everton, relegation awaits I fear.

- Colonel Custard in the Three Fishes -

519: One highlight of the day was swiftly followed by another as we catch the 519 for a country ride out to Newport. I really liked the rural nature of the route, which featured places such as High Ercall, Tibberton and Edgmond along with landmarks such as Haughmond Abbey, the Cleveland Arms and the Sutherland Arms. Andy seems less convinced though and speculates that the route "doesn't make a big fat profit" whilst Woody seems to have nodded off midway through enacting a Little Britain sketch.

Newport: Upon arrival at Newport Interchange we make a dash for the nearest pub that's showing the Grand National - Mr Wood has a bet on and wants to check on his investment, although the rest of us were just shocked that he'd spent some money in the first place. We therefore pile into The Barley and the race gets away on time but unfortunately we don't quite have long enough to see it through to it's conclusion as the 481 should be waiting at half past four. One other thing we did note was that Newport Interchange had obviously been preparing for Andy's arrival because a whole new toilet block had been built in his honour.

- Woody wills on his Grand National steeds -

481: It's farewell to Shropshire with a swift ride into Stafford via Gnosall and Haughton. With us having missed the end of the big race, Rog decides to call up the final result on his phone although I'm not entirely sure whether he was doing this using a method of telegram, semaphore or pony express. An eternity later and we find out that Woody hasn't won after all, talk about prolonging the agony.

Stafford: A fleeting visit gives us just enough time for a pint in The Lamb, a nice little local on Broad Eye close to the Chell Road bus stops. Andy and I go all Old Hooky as Rog finds himself curtained off, or was the glare just the reflection off Mr Lunn's bald spot?

- Y is for Yampy in the Lamb -

76: The final ride home gives Andy another excuse for some D9/S23 driving combinations, although his subsequent back-seat contortionist act looked most uncomfortable - further evidence that his bladder bother had kicked in again perhaps? We negotiate Penkridge and Brewood before the chaps pick out the ideal locations for the Stafford Road hubs, even finding that some of the bike rack infrastructure was already in place. With Andy threatening to spring a leak, I take my leave and the door closes on another exceptional day. Cheers lads!