Bus Pass Bandit: Part Fifteen - BLACK COUNTRY

All aboard for Bus Pass Travels #15 whereby our noble Bandit will engage in some Wolverhampton and Black Country wanderings, revisiting four favourite hostelries and celebrating 10 contented years of happy retirement...

An invigorating walk over Sedgley Beacon is rewarded by a pint of the sublime Sarah Hughes Ruby Mild, as all gather in the Beacon Hotel.

Dark Ruby in the Beacon Hotel, with hints of conservatory plant life.

A bus ride to Bilston for fish and chips is followed by a visit to the timeless Trumpet, the venue of many memorable evenings listening to jazz.

Musti's bongos take pride of place beside a collage of musical luminaries.

As for the ale in the Trumpet, it just has to be Golden Glow.

Next is a bus ride to Wolverhampton and the much loved Great Western, located near the site of the old Low Level Station.

More Golden Glow here to enjoy the railway themed surroundings - note the 'Pure Black Country' Holden's branded glassware.

And a final stop at the Lych Gate Tavern, a Black Country Ales pub which is a mere stone's throw from St Peter's Church in the centre of Wolverhampton.

Stout Brummie in the upstairs beamed function room completes the celebrations.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Fourteen - STOCKTON

Anyone up for a Saturday stroll through more Warwickshire countryside, with a bit of transport heritage thrown in for good measure? Join the Bus Pass Bandit as he wends his way to Stockton...

Today the Bandit takes a walk along the Grand Union Canal from Birdingbury Wharf Bridge. Here we see a display of daffodils at Ventnor Waterside & Marina.

The flight of locks at Calcutt also attracts the Bandit's gaze, with a marina complex close at hand.

Evidence of the long closed railway line which once linked Leamington and Daventry.

A welcome stop at the Shoulder of Mutton in Grandborough.

A peek inside the Shoulder of Mutton - note the pint of Dow Bridge Legion, brewed near Lutterworth.

St Peter's Church in Grandborough with war memorial cross outside. 

Looking out over Draycote Water, a reservoir which supplies drinking water to Rugby and Coventry.

The Crown Inn in Stockton is another of the Bandit's (many!) favourites.

St Austell Tribute in the Crown Inn, Stockton.

The fish look quite tasty too - only joking!!

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Thirteen - BIRMINGHAM

Bus Pass Travels #13 sees the Bandit go Brummie for a Birmingham Bash along Broad Street - unlucky for some, or perhaps unlucky for Brum?

Our highwayman hero starts off by making the acquaintance of Ozzy the Commonwealth Games Bull at Grand Central (New Street Station).

'The Golden Boys of Birmingham' gilded bronze statue in Centenary Square.

Also hard to miss on Centenary Square is the new Birmingham Central Library.

A tribute to Heavy Metal awaits on Broad Street in the form of Black Sabbath Bridge above the canal (although the famous bench depicting band members is not currently in situ).

The first pub stop is the Brasshouse near Brindley Place where the Bandit and his co-conspirator make plans over some Thornbridge Stout.

The Thornbridge McConnell's Stout goes nicely with a cosy armchair in the Brasshouse as the Bandit gets chatting to two Birmingham-based friends.

Next on Broad Street is a surprise visit to Heidi's Bier Bar, quite an experience!! 

Heidi's has daily Happy Hour deals for half price drinks between 4 and 10pm, hence the Bandit soon partakes of exceptional value German Lowenbrau.

On to The Vine, a traditional pub which is one of the few remaining old boozers of Ladywood. It really is something of a survivor.

Excellent home-made luxury fish pie (for £4.75!) and Guinness in the Vine!

The Prince of Wales on Cambridge Street used to be a music venue but is now a comfortable Black Country Ales pub, today offering Apple Scrumble beer and bingo!

Downton's Apple Scrumble and bench seating in the Prince of Wales.

The grand finale is a visit to Albert's Schloss and a taste of their superb Pilsner Urquell, a premium Czech lager.

The Bandit thoroughly enjoys getting Schlossed!

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Twelve - LIGHTHORNE

Someone has been out on their travels again, so join the Bus Pass Bandit as he brings you a carefully curated selection of Warwickshire villages...

The Bandit's first stop this time around is Lighthorne, not too far from Gaydon.

The old well at Lighthorne makes for a charming feature...

... as indeed does the Antelope pub, an antelope having been the infantry mascot of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

A nice pint of Butcombe Rare Breed slakes one's thirst in the Antelope.

St Laurence's is the parish church for Lighthorne and environs.

The Bandit's second stop is the nearby settlement of Moreton Morrell, which sounds rather posh.

Moreton Morrell's pub contribution is the Black Horse...

... a sedate setting for a drop of Hook Norton's Old Hooky (in appropriate glassware).

Onwards then to Ashorne for the Cottage Tavern with its twin Ansells Ales lamps.

A glowing burner and a Scrumdown Golden Ale (as befits Six Nations rugby season) in the Cottage Tavern.

And finally, the Church of St George the Martyr in Newbold Pacey.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Eleven - LEAMINGTON

Although the Bus Pass Bandit likes to explore his rural village outposts, he's not above a town centre raid from time to time. Leamington was therefore on high alert for the first of his March plunderings...

First stop is the Star & Garter on Warwick Street, close to the traditional town boundary with Milverton

Harry's Heifer hails from the Church Farm Brewery, based in Budbrooke (note the drum table in the background)

In nearby Woodbine Street is the site of the Recording Studio where the Specials recorded 'Ghost Town' in 1981

Murphy's Bar has an eclectic selection of display items and seems proud of their Ultimate Breakfasts

A glass of Guinness seems appropriate in Murphy's Bar, given the pub's Irish leanings

Next up is the Micro Pug, formerly known as the Apehanger's Bar...

... where the entrance down to the bar involves ducking inside a certain fridge!

Last but not least, the Drawing Board on Newbold Street

Hogan's Harvest Press Cider hits the spot, as does the log burner with accompanying rug

The Drawing Board has quite a collection of board games and vintage comic covers to add to the curiosity