Geocaches - 1
Pubs - 4 - The White Swan, The Fountain, The Spotted Dog, The Anchor
Inspiration - Doghouse Magazine
The Walk from the City to Bournville proved both uninspiring and lacking refreshment. A Quaker town is not the place to indulge in a bit of Archaeological pub ramblings, so taking inspiration from the finest magazine about pubs in the land, I ask the driver of the 61 bus to whisk me off to Digbeth.
In the Shadow of Selfridges |
Feel a touch of 21st Century research is required, so type Digbeth into Twitter.
Hostage situation going on in Digbeth apparently. Police everywhere. pic.twitter.com/NMfi4r6s9e
— David Franklin (@davidefranklin) August 19, 2015
I click on the Photo Link. That's one of today's pubs.Still, that was two days ago. Its bound to have been resolved by now.
Head down Bradford Street and see the Anchor. The fact that "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is blaring out of what must be speakers on the outside of the pub, remind of the area's Indie credentials. I decide to save this one for later.
So its the White Swan that the first of the Day. A wonderful piece of red brick Victoriana, where the inside is most definitely at odds with the outside - all hand car washes and waste ground.
The White Swan |
My Heritage Indeed |
The Bradford Street Academy of Fine Traditional Ales |
Without doubt, the highlight of the crawl.
At the other end of the scale, but no less charming, is the Fountain. There's a great quote in Doghouse Magazine;
The average Joe would probably stalk past the the Fountain every day of their life, glancing through the door to merely re-inforce their own conceited prejudice about the place"Well, what would you do?
Dare to Enter? |
Still, the glowing endorsement from Pauline Quirke on the wall makes me feel welcome.
Birds of a Feather |
Too sunny for a Guinness, so I experience a continental drift and go for Stella. This, and a packet of Scampi Fries, £3.10. Is this why there are 20 times the number of punters than in the White Swan?
Reassuringly Inexpensive |
Birmingham |
The Spotted Dog |
Another fine Irish Boozer. This on has some lovely comfy sofas and the chance of something more substantial to eat - a choice of Pork Pies or Scotch Eggs.
There are Real Ales on, but I'm getting the taste for the continent and move from Belgium to Spain.
Fit for a King |
Fortunately, the music has been turned down in the Anchor and its a touch more sedate than earlier.
It very much is the companion to the White Swan- built in the same style, by the same people.
Adds a bit of symmetry to the walk |
Still, I've made a discovery today and check out if Holland is as good as Spain.
Amstel |
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