Wet Weather Wombourne

Beware the wicked letter 'W', it has magical powers when it comes to Hub Marketing escapades. Over the years, a pattern has emerged that the worst weather conditions have been reserved for trips that begin with that very symbol of sogginess... think of Wellington, Warley, West Bromwich and now Wombourne!

- Double Golds in The Cross -

Storm Amy is wreaking her wateriness across the West Midlands with high winds and heavy rain forecast for much of the day. Nevertheless, there's a task in hand and that is to pick back up where our Greensforge Gallop left off, so the heavy duty anoraks are unleashed and out into the deluge we go. At the Chairman's insistence, members should meet at Kingswinford's Cross Inn Wetherspoons where we won't be the only folk sheltering from the squall. Spare tables are hard to come by here and it takes all of Mr D9's powers of negotiation to stop two grannies from stealing his chosen perch. A slight communication mishap means that we end up with more drinks than anticipated but the duplicated pints of Autumn Gold are soon gulped down, Secretary WME sticking to his preferred tarmac care of Hook Norton's Pick Me Up Mild.

- Himley House Hotel -

It isn't a day for lingering long outside so news that we've missed one potential 15 connection prompts a speedy revisit to the Bridge Inn. Black Country Ales have worked wonders with this place, stocking it with great beer, tempting cobs and patterned fabric upholstery to the extent that it has made the 2026 edition of the Good Beer Guide. Mr WME's eyes light up at the sight of large cheese and onion rolls to go with his half of Weetwood Eastgate, sitting by a freshly stoked fire. It's almost a shame to go but we daren't dodge another bus, and sure enough we can squelch up to the Himley House Hotel for new heights in refinement. The Chairman does the gallant thing and cops for the round in here, £6.50 a pint for Greene King's Level Head craft beer means the D9 wallet is rapidly emptied in the pursuit of a hoppy zing.

- Depicting the Dudley Arms -

Once we'd gotten over the trauma of the pricetag, there's a lot to like about the Himley House Hotel. Low sofas, lacy lampshades, flamingo wallpaper and several outhouse bedrooms for on site accommodation spring to mind - you just have to limbo under the car park barriers to get inside. No special gymnastics are required for the Dudley Arms over the road, although as a Marston's carvery affair it does feel like something of a comedown after such luxuries. We like the way different zones are named after Black Country towns (Brierley Hill and Tipton among them), and the Courage Bitter is decent enough. Apparently King Edward VIII spent some of his last days as monarch in the Himley vicinity, and I doubt there are too many pubs in the country which are adorned with a large mural of Ms Wallis Simpson. 

- Drenched Driving on the 15 -

Determined not to abdicate from our own tour of duty, we board the next 15 along so that Mr D9 can grimace his way through another steering masterclass - you have to be extra careful in the wet don't you know! Having hoovered Himley we pitch straight into a Wombourne workout, alighting by St Benedict Biscop Church and dripping into the Vine. Although not quite as posh as the Himley House earlier, this is still very fancy and a half each of Timothy Taylor Boltmaker doesn't come cheap. Green pouffe stools and wooden shelving compartments are noteworthy pieces of furniture but we concentrate more on nattering about timetable scheduling matters, tendered council services and general bus-related stuff.

- Old Bush Baldness -

This particular corner of South Staffordshire must have had a thing for shrubbery historically because three of its watering holes had been christened the Old Bush. We did the Swindon one last time out along with the latterly-renamed Hinksford equivalent so now it's the turn of the Wombourne variety, which happens to give us our second slice of Black Country Ales hospitality today. Like the aforementioned Bridge Inn it has gained GBG recognition and if there were a guidebook for cracking cobs I'd vote it in without hesitation. A hunger-slaying wedge of cheese, onion and black pudding goodness soaks up the Secretary's slurping of Stancill Summer Breeze whereas the Chairman makes the acquaintance of Fixed Wheel's Gorilla, a potent 5.2% Extra Special Bitter with a very moody great ape pumpclip. I doubt a disgruntled gorilla would take kindly to our silly songs, 'Susan's Tuba' versus 'Demon Driver' whereby Freddie and the Dreamers do battle against Russ Abbot.

- Soggy Secretary in the Fox & Goose -

The precipitation shows little sign of abating as we proceed into Penn, stopping off at Miller & Carter (previously known as the Penn Cottage) for steakhouse sensibilities on the side of the A449. Despite being set up for dining, we're very welcome to drop in for a drink - in our case of Aspall's Cider - whilst working up to our big finale. Yes, after a near miss with the Fox & Goose in September we are happily able to celebrate its resurrection over gorgeous dimpled pints of Stout Brummie. The new owners have done a remarkable job of bringing the pub back to life after years of either outright closure or restaurant operations; half of the building has been styled like a traditional alehouse, the other side is a community cafe and the overall effect is highly impressive (as indeed is the beer quality). We will be back for sure - cheers!