- Lodge Road Metro -
The brief D9 had in mind was to sample a few pubs that were potentially threatened by convenience store developments, so the Secretary is summoned to West Bromwich ready for an afternoon adventure. Eager not to incur any cob forfeits, Mr WME arrives with time in hand and puts this to good use with some Midland Metro tram photography at Lodge Road (West Bromwich Town Hall).
- Oak House Museum -
One of the Secretary's favourite pre-marketing time fillers is the Oak House Museum - the captivating half-timbered black and white building always merits a shot or two, and on this occasion a closer look at the topiary hedge in the front gardens is an added treat. The museum's grounds as a whole are the focus of a community project aiming to create a garden befitting the early 17th century to complement the main house.
- Driving Duty on the 4H -
With the Chairman also making certain to avoid any penalty charges, we launch into the outing proper with D9's timetabling prowess immediately coming under close scrutiny. The 121 is conspicuous by its absence while the 4 seems intent on travelling in close convoy when four of the said route turn up literally one behind the other - the usual Friday afternoon congestion may be partly to blame so all is forgiven once the 4H provides scope for some sterling steering.
- WME Whirlwind wins in Whiteheath -
Progressing in and out of Oldbury, we alight just after Birchley Island to enter the realms of Rowley Regis. Whiteheath is an area centred upon a crossroads junction known as The Gate even though the pub of that name became a Co-op store a few years ago. Local watering holes that are still trading are the Whiteheath Tavern and the Fox, with the first of those being our setting for Banks's Mild and our opening legs of darts. Secretary WME takes a 3-2 lead here although our collective finishing prowess is rather abysmal.
- Blackheath Barclays Baldness -
Back on the 4 and a short ride brings us from Whiteheath into Blackheath. There is much talk of the morning's solar eclipse, an astronomical spectacle that the Chairman tries to recreate using his balding head to represent the moon blocking out the sun. The bus terminates outside Barclays Bank where the selfsame bald spot is put to further use hiding Mr D9's pin number!
- Blackheath Library -
There's something about Blackheath on a Friday afternoon that appeals to me. As a bottleneck junction it feels quite lively and there are plenty of Black Country folk visiting the popular market and generally going about their day. Our choice of pub here is the Vine on High Street, a quick half in a traditional boozer before we make our way to our next bus stop just up from the town's new library.
- Hairless by the Hollybush -
Next on D9's chosen agenda is a delve into Dudley Wood with a busy 4M providing our connection. The Hollybush on Newtown Lane provides a handy distraction for more bald spot photography while the Elephant & Castle is noted for home-cooked food as we stroll towards Netherton. The Dudley Wood area is synonymous in local sporting legend as the home of the Cradley Heath speedway team although sadly the track was sold off for development in the 1990s and the club has had a nomadic existence ever since.
- D9 Destroys with the aid of pork pie -
Pub landmarks in the Dudley Wood area include the Woodman (corporate Marston's) and the Bunch of Bluebells while I also remember the local branch library building which has now become a pharmacy. The Delph is our next prime target but we do have time to sniff out the Saltwells by way of the nature reserve. D9's darting comeback here is fuelled by scratchings then his form continues on the hallowed dartboard of the Bull & Bladder, aided and abetted by a victory pork pie and something approaching a mustard overdose.
- Delph Ducks -
The Delph is a fascinating corner of the Black Country well known for its flight of locks and a sequence of tempting pubs. Star of the show is the afore-mentioned Bull & Bladder (the Bathams brewery tap being more properly known as the Vine) where the Bitter is excellent as always. Of the other local hostelries we call into the Black Horse where a half of Golden Glow sets us up for an uphill climb into Brierley Hill. The locks have a different personality at dusk with the evening light twinkling on the water as some ducks happily waddle about - their contentment would have been shattered though had the Chairman chosen to unleash novelty song 'Neasden' a little earlier, some suitable silliness to add to our musical repertoire.
- Returning after the Round Oak Run -
The final act of this particular outing is to sweep up a couple more places from the Round Oak Run, recalling the days when thousands of people were employed at the local steelworks. D9's attempts at total spreadsheet domination are scuppered when the Secretary pockets a decisive discount in the Red Lion before the Three Crowns surprises us with character, ambience and some Pardoe's Entire, perfect lubrication for D9's Dudley driving duties at the end of another terrific tour of our Black Country heartlands.
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