RIDGACRE: the day commences with the Secretary doing a solo safari, setting out from Black Lake on the lookout for canal remains. The Ridgacre Branch was part of the waterways network around Wednesbury and West Bromwich and a section of it is still in place today, including the stretch from an old basin by the Ridgacre pub through to Black Lake Bridge passing under the Midland Metro.
- Footbridge at Ridgacre Basin -
WEST BROMWICH: the Secretary’s next prey is Oakwood Park and the Merry Go Round pub as he moves dextrously towards West Bromwich. Dudley Street and Dartmouth Street are encountered as he makes his way to the bus garage on Oak Lane to await the arrival of his accomplice. The Chairman emerges out of the depot recesses just in time to avoid the predicted penalty cob charges.
- Merry Go Round -
COOMBSWOOD: a combination of 289 and 4H deliver our hunters to Coombswood with evidence of British Steel factories along Gorsty Hill Road. The Chairman is doing some very strange stretching exercises on the back seat of the bus so one can only conclude he is suffering bladder issues again. The Bell & Bear arrives in the nick of time for some Dragon’s Fire ale and a general sense of relief.
- Sampling the Dragon's Fire -
HALESOWEN: tracking expertly along Coombs Road, their next target is located on Furnace Hill where darts are the weapons of choice when contending with the Loyal Lodge – a double finish would be a rare beast indeed but there was little sign of any as the Chairman won by two legs to one. Halesowen town then beckons where the landscape is scoured for sightings of the Old Queen’s Head, the Waggon & Horses and the King Edward VII.
- D9 Darts Champion -
WINDMILL HILL: on hilly terrain a jeep would have been nice but the number 9 bus has to do for a lift through Short Cross and up Drews Holloway. There’s a Dirty Tackle to be dealt with in the Round of Beef whilst the Chainmaker pub at Colley Gate also gets mentioned in dispatches.
- Waggon & Horses Barrels - we didn't empty them all ourselves, honest! -
WYNALL: the pursuit continues up the grievous gradient of Tanhouse Lane, Chairman D9 just about managing the climb. The Why Not eludes capture due to not being open mid-afternoon so the Hare & Hounds is the next oasis along. However, strange happenings are afoot when the Chairman mysteriously vanishes and the Secretary finds himself with Andy Murray for company instead – very bizarre indeed!
- Murray Moment in the Hare & Hounds -
LYE: the Chairman miraculously reappears in time to sample the pool at the Balds Lane Tavern, given the name of the pub it is no surprise he felt very much at home here. The descent into Lye is notable for witnessing the Top Bell, a pub that could well be an endangered species given that the current managers are leaving. The Chairman then seizes some discount territory at the Old Bell when he nails his flag into a round of £2.20, leaving the defeated Secretary stranded in the wilderness.
- Bald Spot does Balds Lane -
STOURBRIDGE: with another 9 ride under their belts, our hardy huntsmen triumphantly forage out one final watering hole in the form of the Duke William. Here the Chairman is invited to Piddle in the Pub, although we should note that this was the name of his beer and not another of his unscheduled bladder activities. With that the chase is over for another day, and our heroes troop home happily with their quarry. What sport!
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