- Arriva Arrival at Gobowen -
The 09:43 departure from Wolverhampton to Gobowen is our selected starting service, cruising to Shrewsbury listening to silly songs about Cricklewood (glorious Goodies daftness). At Shrewsbury a rather violent decoupling exercise means we have to relocate into the front four carriages of the train where we now seem to be surrounded by party passengers heading for Chester Races. Although the prospect of a flutter was tempting, the Chairman's muppet t-shirt would have failed the dress code so we alight at Gobowen as planned.
- Going for Gobowen -
Gobowen historically served as the junction for trains through to Oswestry, that connection sadly being a casualty of 1960s line closures. The old station building here remains an impressive piece of Italianate architecture while some classic running boards add an extra note of period detail. We linger by the level crossing, listening in to the Chairman's choice of Welsh sheep ditties, before the Secretary summons through photos of the signal box, the local post office and the Cross Foxes pub.
- D9 drives the 53 -
Our next target is the number 53 route to Ellesmere, operated by Arriva on a roughly 40 minute frequency. The bus picks up outside Gobowen Working Mens Club (opposite Tinsley's chip shop) for a full grunt thrash through St Martin's and Criftins. The Chairman certainly enjoys the chance to open out the throttle on his latest D9 driving demo as we admire saw mills and general pastoral scenery. The route terminates on Cross Street with the 208 Ellesmere circular also in attendance; the scent of manure then hangs heavy in the air as we prepare to explore the pleasingly traditional town centre.
- Ellesmere Market -
A stroll along Scotland Street reveals coaching inns, banks and independent shops while at the top end of town we find the library along with Dyke's Rennet Works. Curiosity leads us into the old market hall for a browse of the antiques stalls (and a bacon sandwich) - among the items available for purchase are some ancient Meccano magazines and a pamphlet about Great Barr Parish Church.
- Birch Road Bridge -
The Secretary is keen to take a little look at the Llangollen Canal, setting out from Ellesmere Wharf in the shadow of the Tesco supermarket. An old Shropshire Union warehouse provides some welcome continuity as the Town Arm towpath takes us past barge and blossom to the junction with the main line. A small army of cheerful volunteers are painting black posts as we proceed to Birch Road Bridge (No. 58) bidding everybody good morning (despite it now being afternoon). Birch Road itself provides a leisurely link back through town, passing a marina and the White Hart inn.
- Lakeside at The Mere -
A must-see attraction is The Mere, one of the bodies of water that have earned Ellesmere the title of being Shropshire's own Lake District. This is a lovely spot at which to unwind on a warm springtime day, partaking of the panoramic views and tracking down a closet for the Chairman's prized collection. By this stage we've earned ourselves a drink so the Red Lion (a Thwaites inn next to St Mary's Church) and the Swan both come up trumps for Taylor's Tipple and Tetley's Cask Bitter respectively.
- Grappling with the Grim Reaper -
To Oswestry then with more gearbox grinding on the 53 to contend with along the way. The Secretary battles limited mobile connectivity to attempt some Twitter updates before we set down at the bus station as populated by Tanat Valley double deckers. Mr WME's research comes in handy for our opening Oswestry pubs whereby a quick half in the Three Pigeons is followed by discount duty in the Olde Vaults, a taphouse for the Offa's Dyke brewery where some tasty Grim Reaper porter costs only £2 a pint - bargain!
- Something foxy -
Oswestry is a town blessed with quality watering holes and members make sure our supping sequence includes some of the finest. The Fox on Church Street is Joules' offering and very nice it is too, even if the smoking ban doesn't quite cover the resident taxidermy! Further up Church Street lies the Oak, probably the Secretary's favourite given dreamy draught Bass and some vintage cigarette dispensers (perhaps that's where our foxy friend got his from?) Salop Road meanwhile brings with it the Black Lion for some Stonehouse Up the Town, a momentary spillage and a Guinness toucan clock.
- Cambrian Cranium -
Transport history is very much to the fore in the guise of the former Cambrian Railway headquarters, Oswestry's old station building having been retained as commercial premises with accompanying museum - it certainly captured the bald spot's imagination at any rate. Some preserved steam services now operate between Oswestry and Llynclys with the hope that one day the full link to Gobowen will be restored. The Railway pub is also close at hand but is perhaps not to be recommended unless you share D9's liking for dodgy dives.
- Chip Shop Chairman -
Our final 53 ride of the day brings us full circle with Gobowen once again in our sights. Chairman D9 becomes an honorary fellow of the Chip Foundation as Tinsley's gets our esteemed seal of approval, and there's just time to squeeze in a quick visit to the Cross Foxes for a swift Banks's Bitter before our train - the pub had a good community atmosphere, a real melting pot of village characters young and old. The 19:03 train is busy with horse racing revellers until a Shrewsbury switchover sees us safely back to Wolverhampton. A silky Smoked Porter nightcap in Slater's Bar completes the day perfectly, cheers!
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