Bus Pass Bandit: Part Forty Four - JEWELLERY QUARTER

The Bus Pass Bandit can't keep away from Birmingham at the moment and is summoned to the Second City once again for a jaunt around the Jewellery Quarter...

The railway station on Vyse Street is the designated rendezvous location.

Before meeting his accomplices, there's a chance to view the Catacombs at Warstone Lane Cemetery.

The first pub of the day is the Jewellers Arms, an excellent Black Country Ales pub.

The Felinfoel Winter Warmer is accompanied by a nice cheese and onion cob.

Next on to the Indian Brewery Taproom, a large spacious building converted from a former factory.

Their Indian Summer beer is impressive and the interesting menu includes Indian pizzas.

Following this is the Actress & Bishop, a pub and music venue.

Draught Bass is on offer here, as is a comfortable throne.

Nearby is Saint Paul's House, an unexpected stop.

Hobgoblin IPA is the chosen beer in here.

The Barrel Store, an outlet for the Attic Brew Co., is situated under the railway arches near Snow Hill Station.

Their Ten Acre Stout is excellent and various board games are available.

Now on to the Rock & Roll Brewhouse which has a distinctive 1960's atmosphere.

Their Brew Springsteen seems to be an appropriate beer.

The Rolling Mill nearby is a more expensive establishment.

A half of Guinness will suffice in here.

And finally back to the Indian Brewery - this time their outlet at Snowhill, conveniently next to the Station.

Here is some Royal Beast to finish off the evening.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Forty Three - BIRMINGHAM

The January trips continue for the Bus Pass Bandit as our highwayman hero takes another sizeable bite out of the Second City's pub provision...

On his latest visit to Birmingham, the Bandit firstly heads for the Jewellery Quarter and the recently reopened Lord Clifden.

A welcome half of Guinness goes down well and it's good to see the place trading again following a prolonged period of closure.

After a bus ride back into the centre, the next stop is the Roebuck on Church Street, just off Colmore Row.

Here he finds both Guinness and table football, the latter being a rare sight these days!

The Wetherspoons London and North Western at New Street Station is the perfect place to await a rendezvous...

A pint of Stout Brummie from the local Birmingham Brewing Company helps pass the time before the Bandit's merry band of accomplices arrive.

Suitably refreshed, and with everyone assembled, we head towards Colmore Row to investigate 3 establishments converted from former banks. The first of these is Theatrix overlooking Victoria Square and with a Rooftop Bar.

It is more Guinness in here. The two stuffed monkeys downstairs were a great surprise!

Nearby is The Colmore, a stylish venue operated by the Thornbridge Brewery.

The intriguing Fudge Brownie Stout from the North Riding Brewery is a 7.4% indulgence.

The Old Joint Stock is a particularly fine building with magnificent decor and includes a theatre.

Fuller's ESB is a fine drink in here.

A final unexpected stop is at the Flight Club in Temple Street

Is this a horse jumping over a Guinness?

And a dog with unusual headgear?

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Forty Two - EVESHAM (continued)

For Episode 42 of his Bus Pass Travels, the Bandit returns to Evesham on a cold Saturday in January...

The famous Bell Tower is on the site of Evesham Abbey, once one of the most important abbeys in the country.

There is a very interesting museum in the Almonry.

Then back to the Red Lion, an old favourite, for a couple of ciders.

On offer is Hogans Wild Elder cider and Avon Ridge Farm medium dry.

The next stop is the Trumpet Inn.

In a Hook Norton pub it has to be Old Hooky.

Nearby is Ye Olde Red Horse.

Their Ancient Warrior cider is accompanied by a Blondie video from 1980 - 'The Tide Is High' indeed!

And finally to the BCM Craft Ale Bar, off Bridge Street.

And some excellent Cosmic Santa Stout.