- Black Lake Baldness -
With our Chairman initially absent at Bradley Lane, the Secretary pitches up at Wednesbury Parkway among camera crews preparing for the launch of the new Midland Metro tram fleet. All members are then reunited for the short ride to Black Lake where the D9 bald spot gets its own bit of celebrity attention!
- A Ridgacre Rummage -
Immediately adjacent to Black Lake Metro stop are the remains of the Ridgacre Branch canal, a perfect target for our morning investigations. Firstly we follow the line out past Black Lake Bridge to discover the current terminus in the vicinity of Denbigh Drive - historically the canal used to continue deeper into Hateley Heath. Retracing our steps, we then explore the other end of the branch towards the Black Country New Road. At the Ridgacre Premier Inn we meet a cheerful litter picker chap who tells us of the old gasworks that were once a major feature of the area.
- Swan Bridge -
Beyond the Premier Inn are the remains of an old basin with a turnover footbridge - although still in water the canal here has the appearance and consistency of mushy peas, thankfully our Chairman wisely refrained from having an earlier-than-anticipated breakfast. We then track down a section of the Wednesbury Old Canal, which used to meet the Ridgacre Branch at Swan Bridge Junction. Swan Bridge itself is still standing but the canal is impassible for boats due to the proliferation of reeds. The towpath takes us down via Hadley Bridge to Ryders Green Junction (meeting the Walsall Canal) before we exit at Belper Bridge.
- Driving Demo on the 289 -
A 42 to West Bromwich links neatly for a ride on the 289 down to Rowley Regis, Mr D9 only too glad to do a stint of back-seat steering. The route takes in Oldbury, Rounds Green and Rowley Village before circumnavigating Blackheath town centre and dropping us off in the grounds of Rowley Regis Hospital.
- Rowley Regis Crematorium Closet -
We didn't have a hospital appointment although some of you may think the Chairman needs medical attention given his fetish for closets and urinals. One such example awaited next door in Rowley Regis Crematorium, and with photo duties done there we set off in search of breakfast on an industrial estate off Powke Lane.
- The former Brickhouse pub -
A local walk would help us digest a hearty Full English and so we ventured over into the Brickhouse Farm estate. It's been nearly seven years since I last set foot here so it wasn't surprising to find a few changes had taken place - the eyesore breezeblock community centre has been demolished while the Brickhouse pub appears to have been converted into flats. Elsewhere we spotted a Spar supermarket and the Sandwell Mobile Library.
- A Towpath Toilet? -
At Doulton Road we can join our third waterway of the day, this being the Dudley No. 2 Canal. The bridge here still bears a historic reference to Dog Lane, the former street name prior to the arrival of the Doulton pottery works. Among the items the firm produced was sanitary ware including toilets, hence the commemorative character we found on the towpath, a rather novel addition to D9's WC collection.
- Totnal Bridge -
There are more examples of canalside artworks as our stroll continues - a tollman's hovel and Eliza Tinsley being among them, although it's the elephant at Waterfall Lane that prompts Mr D9 into a piggyback ride. Besides the sculptures, Hollis Bridge and Totnal Bridge are on hand to keep the WME camera occupied.
- Ay It a nice pint -
All this walking means we've worked up a thirst so a refreshing pint in the Waterfall is just what the doctor ordered. The steep climb up Waterfall Lane presents a final obstacle, but once the hill was conquered we could relax and soak up the wonderful Holden's hospitality.
- Haden Hill House -
After a spot of wake-crashing at the Hawthorns on Ross (opposite Blackheath's old Carnegie library), our next move takes us to Haden Hill Park where the Chairman is intent on hunting down another closet. The toilets in question are situated at the rear of Haden Hill House, although the Victorian mansion's front and side elevations are far more visually impressive.
- Caught Blue Handed! -
The wider grounds of Haden Hill Park are definitely worth a closer look, with a bowling green, rose garden and ornamental lake among the attractions. Mr D9 is more concerned over the colour of his fingers though - having spent much of the day tightly clutching his prized carrier bag it seems some of the design has rubbed off on him, either that or he's auditioning for the part of a cyan-toned supervillain.
- Cooking up a Bald Spot in Old Hill -
A swift half in the Haden Cross rounds off our Haden Hill perambulations and the action thence moves to Old Hill, where features include the local police station, Holy Trinity Church and the Spring Meadow pub (the latter being the location for some rare WME darts success). We can also pay homage to a trio of Old Hill landmarks where change is afoot - Satchmo's bar is now a shop, the former Cradley Heath Fire Station on Mace Street is disused while the Cook Shop, a bastion of Black Country delicacies like faggots for several generations, is up for sale.
- WME wins in the Riddins Tavern -
Venturing into the backstreets of Old Hill, we seek out the Riddins Tavern tucked away on Mossvale Close. This Banks's boozer is a prime spot to continue our darting exploits with the Secretary continuing his resurgence in form, even when the dartboard threatened to dislodge itself from some supporting yellow wedges.
- The Hollybush -
Last but by no means least, we continue into Cradley Heath for a closing selection of pubs and landmarks. Notable mentions must go to Macefield's Mission (an eyecatching example of a Black Country Chapel), the Plough & Harrow (a Corngreaves Road pub brought back to life by the Worcestershire Brewery), the Swan (also known as Jasper's, a proper Holden's place in the shadow of the Tesco store) and the Hollybush (Newtown Lane inn that seems keen to promote itself as an arts venue). A dash back to Dudley is all that remains, and with D9 rustling up a final closet homage on Flood Street we can consider another day's marketing to have been an undoubted success.
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