Days out in the West Midlands

Our own compartment on the Severn Valley Railway

The last blog was written on Wednesday morning, but he didn’t get all the photos in till Friday, so it’s all a little confused.

Wednesday afternoon we walked to Bournville station to get the train to Erdington, good value group saver for £10.60! The walk started off through various parks, and was interesting under Spaghetti junction and through the industry still on the outskirts of Birmingham. Ian’s estimate of 2hours for a 7mile walk however was a little optimistic, so bits of it did feel a little like a route march. Not to worry though, we arrived in the centre of Birmingham in plenty of time for a pint and a look round the changes in the roads and building in the centre.

This is the railway station for the heritage steam train from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth. Although it looks authentic it was only built in 1984. Originally the line was a British Railways branch and used the main station across the car park, but had to be separated once it became private and this was built to look like an old station - and very good it looks too!

All aboard!

Another pint, this time with Manu and Crystal before, as ever, a delicious Chinese meal. Having a range of food selected to be shared by us all, by Crystal really is a treat. A final pint before getting the train home made the walk back from the station fly by.

Thursday was our day on the Severn Valley Railway. A compartment to ourselves on a train of four carriages pulled by a steam engine. We went for the full engine experience, train from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, half an hour to watch water and coal get loaded on before getting the train back a short way to Highley to the ‘Engine Shed’ train Museum where we had lunch, looked at the exhibits and had a private tour of the Royal Carriage of King George VI, built and travelled in during the war. Back to Bridgnorth to collect those who just went sightseeing before returning to Kidderminster.

So we sent a photo of the station to our friend Tim (a keen train spotter), without any comment at all. Within 5 minutes he sent  a message back saying 'enjoy your trip pulled by engine number 75069'. At the next station we went to have a look at the engine and, sure enough, it was 75069 - how did he know?

What do you think?

Friday, a day at the Black Country Living Museum. Another full day that we can all recommend. We didn’t see it all, but we talked to lots of people, in character and doing demonstrations. Our tickets are valid for a year so we’ll have to see if we can go again, it would be a whole different experience with different people talking about different things.

Saturday was the end of Monty’s holiday, so while Brian and Ian opened a path to a heavily laden apple tree in the park, he was brought home. He looked pleased to be back, but looked pleased when he went to the kennels too! An afternoon walk took us to the Covered Wagon, pub from the outside, but Indian restaurant on the inside. Sadly nobody was hungry but the food looked great. So much so, I messaged Abi to see if she was happy to go the following afternoon when we were seeing her, she was, though she thought it an odd request as when she was last there, 35ish years ago, having a farewell drink with her teachers from school it was nothing special! How it has changed, the sharing starter platter was stunning.

Here's a photo that encompasses two of our days out, West Midlands Safari Park and the Severn Valley Railway. The train passes next to the WM Safari Park and here, the black outline is the carriage window and, in the distance is a Rhino in the Safari Park

Shunting engines at Bridgnorth

Monday B cemented back the large sandstone window sills, that apparently had ‘just fallen off’ while I prepped and sanded the porch. I started painting it but then went with Abi to collect Sooty from the vets while Brian finished off. Back to mum before lockdown hit Birmingham, earlier than expected. Told her we’d done the porch only to be told “mine needs doing too!” Like a good egg, B did that on Wednesday while mum and I went out and spent money. She now has the same phone as I do so will hopefully not have to delete every WhatsApp conversation at the end of every day!

General ‘life maintenance’, eye tests, dental hygienists and catching up with Sarah, and Alex before collecting Ted to sort and load. Tomorrow a late lunch with Fiona and James to leave them our car as theirs has died before heading north on Monday, running ahead of lockdown again we feel....

Now this photo is taken aboard the King George VI carriage, now at the Engine House museum, and this is the sitting room on the bullet proof train where war cabinet meetings were held. The furniture is original and it oozes with history. Can you just imagine Churchill sitting there with the King discussing secret plans such as the D Day landings. I love this kind of thing

This is the oldest engine at the museum, built in 1898, called the Lady Armaghdale. It might look familiar - in its retirement it served for 20 years as Thomas the Tank Engine

At the coal mine at the Black Country Museum

All of these buildings are originals, taken apart brick by brick and rebuilt here at the museum 

All furnished with original items. Look at this old radio shop

Amazing to think that none of this was here. Even the bridge over the canal was brought here from Wolverhampton. It was due to be demolished so was salvaged by the museum

And they've even got people working here. Here's someone chain making

Walking in Moseley Bog with Monty dog. Did you know J.R.R. Tolkein lived nearby as a child as used this area as inspiration for ancient forests in his books Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit

We did manage the odd beer or two as well. This was at the Covered Wagon, now serving excellent Indian food

So next day we went back again with Abigail to try some. We were not disappointed!

Here we are at Abigails having refitted the stone window sills you can see behind and painted her porch

She didn't mention about the little treasure hunt we set for her friend Sarah, who's recently been quite ill and is recuperating by walking along the canal in Alvechurch. Jackie made 5 little and 1 big penguins (her favourite animal) out of flat stones and we hid them along her canal walk, just before she set off with husband John. The first one was placed outside her house with a note saying 'I couldn't keep up with my 4 siblings and mummy, please help me to find them'. Here's the first one in a damaged brick on a canal bridge 

Number two on a bear statue

Number three in the fork of a tree

Number four we placed on the side of someones narrowboat. The owner was working on his laptop and seemed quite amused when we asked him if it was OK

The last one was 'mummy' placed in a pipe outlet on the bridge that takes the M42 motorway over the canal. They found them all and it really made Sarah smile and cheered her up 

Lunch at the local pub, The Peacock, with Jackies mum on a glorious day

Whenever we stay with Jackies mum she hates it if we get our phones out and start looking at them accusing us of being like teenagers (if only!). Well, here I managed to get a photo of the two of them looking at theirs. Ha!