Monday, 29 October 2012

The Waterfront Inn - Brierley Hill

















Visited 17th October 2012.

'The Waterfront Inn' is, according to the Wetherspoon website about a third of a mile away from 'The Abraham Darby' but walking there it felt a lot further. Somehow it seemed to be all uphill and there was rather a brisk wind blowing. By the time I got to it I was cold, sweating, windswept and most deffinately ready for a drink. It seemed busy, although this could have just been because of the apparent smallness inside. I ordered an Apple and Mango J2O and sat drinking it while I recovered from my walk while comtemplating the walk back to the car. Two more pubs on my list to visit today and then I need to look for somewhere to stay for the night
. What can go wrong? 

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.

Abraham Darby - Brierley Hill

















Visited 17th October 2012.

In complete contrast to the previous pub I am now in 'The Abraham Darby'. It is on the edge of a shopping centre and I have just spent a considerable amount of time wandering around the lanes looking for it. For some reason there didn't seem to be any maps or signage for where the various shop were and I eventually had to resort to asking people. Nobody seemed to know until I asked a security guard who didn't know but did ask a cleaner who from somewhere on his cart produced a map which he kindly gave to me. Map in hand I then walked almost the entire length of the centre (again) to the pub. I treated myself to a large Pepsi, after all the walking I felt that I had earned it. Another moan here, if a pint of beer was pulled and there was 3/4 of an inch gap between the top of the beer and the top of the glass there would be a huge fuss created (as there was when Wetherspoons tried to introduce oversize glasses). So why do so many bar staff think it is OK to do the same with Pepsi?
 

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.

The Moon Under Water - Cradley Heath




Visited 17th October 2012.

In contrast to the previous pub, 'The Moon Under Water' is more traditionally styled. It's long and narrow, darkly paneled and with a booths along the left hand side. As my regular reader will know this is very much in the style I like. It was not busy and and I had a pleasant chat with the very nice bar lady that served me my Pepsi
. I finish my drink and once again I'm quickly on my way. 

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.

The Britannia - Rowley Regis





















Visited 17th October 2012.

I had a plan, at least for the first eight pubs that I intended to visit today and the main part of that plan was that all the pubs would be reasonably close together. Obviously this was to save time and allow me to cover more pubs so I was kicking myself at spending far to long finding 'The Britannia'. I parked and turned left from the car park, walking in the general direction of the town and then proceeded to wander in circles looking for the pub. I finally hit upon the idea (following one of those 'Doh' moments) of looking for increasing door numbers to find the pub, being fairly sure I was in the correct road. I ended up walking only a few hundred yards past the car park I was using to find the pub bathed in glorious sunshine just waiting for me to enter. I did and on this occaision really felt that I had earned the large latte that I settled down with. The pub was fairly busy but had a nice relaxed atmosphere, helped I'm sure by the cool, greenish interior and the friendly barstaff. I didn't tarry as I knew I had a busy day still ahead of me so as soon as I had finished my coffee I was on my way back to the car and on to the next pub.


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The William Shenstone - Halesowen, Birmingham

















Visited 17th October 2012.

After a few
miles on the road I arrive in Halesowen where I start looking for 'The William Shenstone'. I end up driving past it and then have to find somewhere to park as all the (very) short stay places outside are taken, so I end up parking at Adsa's which is only a short walk away. This 'spoons is in a more traditional style and was pretty busy but I didn't have to wait to long to be served my Apple and Raspberry J20. The toilets were much nicer and after taking care of business it was back to the Asda car park and back on the road. Busy, busy, busy. 

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.

Sunday, 28 October 2012

The Black Horse - Birmingham





















Visited 17th October 2012.
 

Following my week away I have another week to go before I have to go back to work so I've decided to spend a day visiting a few 'spoons. Birmingham here I come!
The plan is to try and visit eight pubs on the first day, find a cheap hotel or B&B to stay over and then follow up with another six pubs on the second day. Everything starts well and I find myself at the first pub on my list in time for breakfast. From the outside 'The Black Horse' looks impressive and it is just as nice inside although I did trip over the step on the way in while looking at the sign that says to mind the step. I ordered the large breakfast and a large latte which arrived promptly and with the eggs cooked just the way I like them. The place even has its own car park where you can stay for up to three hours. The only downside were the toilets, they were in a bit of a state to the point where I was reluctant to use them. I tripped over the step again on the way out although I was a little preoccupied thinking about how far it was to the next pub on my list and would I be able to use the toilet when I got there. 

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Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Wetherspoon Express - Crawley
















Visited 4th October 2012.

On the way to the boarding gate we have to pass a Wetherspoon Express. Not much to report on this one other than it was expensive. I stopped and asked for a glass of Pepsi (as I'm playing the game to my rules and my rules say that I have to buy something at each 'spoons visited or it doesn't count) but surprise, they did not sell Pepsi by the glass and I was forced to buy a bottle. I imagine they don't sell many as it was way more expensive than the same bottle of Pepsi on sale in the shop across the aisle!
 

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.