A very, very warm last day of September finds me on the train heading into Birmingham for the latest Friday night outing. Several of the regulars were otherwise engaged this evening so only JF (who I was to meet in Birmingham) and BJ (meeting us later in Wolverhampton were out tonight.)
First port of call was the Shakespeare near
New Street. The pub was quite busy especially the small
outside drinking area due to the heatwave but I managed to get served quite
quickly selecting Nethergate Border. As
I was finishing this, in walked JF who manfully grasped my my empty glass and before so much as a "How do you do" I was in possession of the my second beer, Harviestoun Ptarmigan.
Off now to Wolverhampton
with just enough time on the train to eat my tea before alighting at the
station where BJ was waiting for us
We headed off to the Great Western via the
subway and footpath running by what used to be the other station serving the
now defunct railway from Snow Hill. I
well remember the first time I took this route some 12 years or so ago when it
was somewhat rougher.
I opted for some of the Holdens' beers
(Black Country Bitter and thence Mild.)
We took the chance to catch up on recent outings and a recap from BJ of
DP's birthday trek to Leeds (hint - always check which way a train is heading
before catching it as there's more than one way from Sheffield to Leeds!)
Heading off now - "we've lost BJ"
who re-appeared a few moments later having checked the remains of the old
platforms that apparently are still visible by the new hotel now forming part
of the old station mentioned above.
We arrived at the Posada (and Black Sheep
Bitter) which although close to the city centre had something of a back street
local to it. Being a warm evening we
ventured to garden where conversation was interrupted from time to time via the
singers of variable quality from the karaoke bar t'other side of the wall.
Next port of call was the Hogshead. Enville Cherry Blonde was my choice over
thoughts ahead to the world cup rugby that weekend ("Of course England will beat France" ce la vie as it turned
out!)
The evening was still young so we decided
to head via the metro over to Bilston.
BJ lead the way and we ended up at Banks's Robin 2 on Mount Pleasant. This place has a small front public bar with
what appears to be a much larger concert venue beyond which host a range of
real and better quality tribute acts.
Banks's Original for me.
Final port of call was to Trumpet with just
time for a swift Holden's Mild and thence off for the tram. Problems that evening including the need to
re-boot the vehicle but back in New
Street in plenty (ahem) of time for the train homewards.
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