19/10/13 - Slasher

Distance - 5 Miles
Geocaches - 5
Start - Old Hill
Finish - Tipton
Stage 3 of the Brummie Ring

Stage 3 of the Brummie Ring.  The word is out and I have company for my first trip into Tipton.  I drive up to the free car parking, having worked out the way to get back on two trains to Old Hill.  Unlike last week, the trains are running on time.

Dogs and Wives can both come on the Brummie Ring

Tipton to Old Hill - A new "Great Rail Journey" to be offered in the back of the Mail.

Alight at Old Hill and then pick up the canal.  This is the walking for the first couple of miles.  Its deep in an urban landscape but decent enough walking, with various signs telling us of the past.  This includes notes on an escapee from the Gunpowder Plot and the ruined offices of the Toll Master.

Whilst I am looking for cache under a bridge, Sonia warns me of its spookiness as she reads the nearest sign.  I have to point out its Gosty Tunnel, not Ghostly Tunnel.

As we approach Cobb's Engine House, I remember that Bumble Hole visitor centre is close by.  We pop in for a cuppa and listen to the old fellas talking about whether rum or whisky is best to be added to tea.  Once again, the dog turns her nose up at the free dog biscuits on offer.

We get back on the trail proper, leaving the canal behind for an uphill slog through Bumble Hole nature reserve.

Leaving the Engine House and Clent Hills Behind.

Quick bit of maintenance at a cache location and then we have some urban road walking into the heart of Dudley.  Sonia tells me about how the dry dock pub is just behind the visitor centre and how future Brummie Ring walkers would appreciate the only pub in the UK with a barge inside.  All a bit late now we are a mile away.

We hit Dudley.  The castle really juxtaposes the town centre.  I was going to take a photo but got distracted by a van selling Indian food.  I did not expect Chicken Tikka Wraps for lunch when I set out this morning.  Sonia told the world of facebook how I treat her like a princess by taking her out for lunch.

Down to the castle and across waste ground that runs between this and the Black Country Museum.  Ellie asks us to go every year.  She has no interest in history and just likes the chips.

We notice that we are back down by the canal and see if we can incorporate this into the Brummie Ring.  However, it has been blocked off by the Black Country Museum who want to charge you to enter and to take barge trips.  It did make an interesting diversion.

Taking Tourists under the Castle

Retrace our steps and run into more canal related issues where there is a great route that is only spoiled by not have a bridge over it to get back to Tipton.

And we don't want to miss out on Tipton, as we have a date with the Slasher.

William Perry - The Tipton Slasher

Having paid our respects to his statue, we need to check out his head quarters.  A hard living, fighting and drinking man had to make his home in the pub.

The Fountain Inn - Molly heads to the home of the Slasher

Best pint of Banks Bitter for a long time.  And £1 Baps

Back to the car at Tipton.  Another successful leg on the Brummie Ring.