Distance - 7.3 Miles
Geocaches - 4
Start - Marston Green Station
Finish - Solihull Station
The Brummie Ring Phase 9
Brummie Ring Phase 9 at EveryTrail
Sonia is working in Birmingham today. Seems the perfect excuse to share her rail commute and continue on to Solihull for Phase 9 of the Brummie Ring.
I need to get to Marston Green and careful planning with
TravelInfoDirect shows that the 71 bus goes from Coach Stand G, directly outside Solihull Station. Oh I do love plotting my adventures. Bang on 9:20, the bus turns up for my 30 minute trip. Sat Nav Turned on so I know where to get off.
Minor drama at the destination, the Police are moving a stolen Mondeo, carelessly abandoned in my bus stop. I watch the ensuing drama (well, a repmobile being winched onto a flat loader) with a handy sausage sandwich and cup of tea from the Cafe that was closed at the end of Stage 8.
Once refreshed, move on to the walk. And it is a boster, possibly the best yet on the BrummieRing.
Straight from the station, I am in Sheldon Park, which allows me to skirt three parts of the airport perimeter.
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Off on their all inclusive Hols |
A man comes up to me and asks if I saw the previous plane. I replied in the negative and he rambles on about how he couldn't tell if it was a 777 or a 747 but it was unusual as it was in all gray camoflage. I have to cut him off in mid flow before he thinks I am a fellow plane spotter. I reply that I have only just worked out how the 71 bus works.
The walking is great, with the added drama of an inbound or outbound flight. I just have to follow the fence.
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Stalag Walking |
There is a lonely remnant of the abandoned Solihull Way. It is still marked on my OS map, but the signage has nearly all disappeared.
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Abandoned LDP |
Sheldon Park turns into a Golf Course but has turned into a total slosh pit. The way is totally flooded. I wonder how I will get through but when I see two joggers just jump on in, I know it should be OK for a man in goretex everything. They have seriously misjudged the depth, it is knee high. Still, their screams and frolics keep me entertained.
Exit the airport, over a road and along some alleys and I am delivered into the next highlight, Elmdon Park. The council bought this land in the 40's. It was a former stately home. Its high elevation provide some fine walking and views across the Midlands.
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Beacon and First Cache Location |
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Pool in the Park |
Drop down and the next few caches are available. The next is 4m up in a tree. I can see it. I am not going to climb it. Especially when there are so many families around. The next few are along a series of alleys that skirt the perimeter of the Land Rover Factory. Most are found. One isn't.
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Land Rover |
After a short length of road walking, I pick up the Grand Union Canal. Have it all to myself, save for a couple of canoeists who paddle on by. One more cache and one more DNF.
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All the way to London |
The peace and solitude is only broken up by a series of texts telling me that Sonia will be later than expected from work. No problem to me, I am nearly in Solihull and I am sure that there will be some way of entertaining myself. I have a book and £20.
Its nice to have the freedom of a couple of unexpected hours in a strange town. Hostelries await.
The first pub is a little too posh for me but I do take advantage of their outdoor astroturf and seating area to de-gaiter. And it looks like Solhull, poshest part of Birmingham, is also suffering from the credit crunch.
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But what sort of Real Ale for they have? |
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De-gaiter and decide I am probably not the sort of punter they are after. |
Choice of pubs. I have done my homework and the Sadlers Arms is the best rated. Presumably by people who think that the neck is the perfect place for a tattoo. Nice enough inside and the landlord comes round with a tray of Monkey Brain cocktails that he has knocked up. I stop counting as he reveals the fourth alcoholic ingredient.
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The Monkey Brains are on Me |
Move on to the town centre proper and pop into the Masons Arms for lunch. Its going to be Scampi. I am asked whether I want to supersize it, and I think why not, I have plenty of time, a score and have worked up an appetite.
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Historic Solihull - left of TouchWood |
In exactly the length of time it takes me to walk back to my table (plus 30 seconds) my meal is delivered. I am told where the cutlery and condiments are, without the offer of them being fetched and count my deep fried shrimps. There are eight of them.
Thank god I supersized.
Decide that I will catch the 14:17 back to Kidderminster and meet Sonia there. The train goes through an incredible thunder and lightening storm, with massive hail stones. In January.
A spectacular end to the possibly my favourite part of the Brummie Ring.
Two to go.
Really enjoying your blog. Have walked that golf course a lot in Covid. The Saddlers is now the tap and tandoor which serves Indian food, cocktails and craft beer. Well worth a revisit.
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