01/05/17 - The Holly Bush, Belbroughton

Distance - 2.75 Miles
Geocaches - 6


Bank Holiday always means rain and today is no different.   Meteorological conditions are not lending themselves to a long walk, far away - so the Good Beer bible is once again consulted for a local tick.

I know Belbroughton well, but have no idea where the Holly Bush is.  Without Google, I would have had it hopelessly confused with the Bell and Cross.

But first, regardless of the weather, a walk.

Waseley Hills Country park has a visitors centre.   Last here six years ago - a note to the 2023 Mappiman.  I can park for free in the large layby at Chapman's Hill Road.

And its Chapman's Hill Road that we head along - for the simple reason that there is a small geocaching trail.  Everything fine apart from at number 2, where I not only fail to make a find but also get caught by a bemused Alstatian dog walker with my arm buried up to the elbow in the roots of an oak tree.

A more successful Ground Zero

Chapman's Hill lane turns into non vehicular green lane and delivers us through the delightful bluebells woods of the Chadwick Manor Estate.

Through the Bluebell Woods

The Monarch's way carries us uphill, with views across the M5 to the Malverns (on a clear day) to the south and over the 2nd City to the North.  We reach the top just as the heavens open for a spectacular shower.  If only we hadn't have spent 10 minutes admiring the views from a bench, we would have made it back to the visitors centre dry.

Malvern - on a good day.

2nd City - with a Zoom Lens

This short walk has hopelessly mistimed opening hours, so we head to the visitors centre for an 11:10am cup of tea.   They have rock cakes fresh out of the oven for a bargain £1.30.

Am I the first man in history to upset his wife by bringing her cake?

Apparently, I have cocked up lunch.

The Holly Bush, Stourbridge Road, Belbroughton - Hobsons Town Crier

There's a reason I don't know this pub.  Its on the busy rat run dual carriageway from Belbroughton that heads away from the motorway towards Stourbridge.   A road that I have no reason to ever take.

Pub since 1845 - from converted farm workers cottages

Mrs M - still grumpy about lunch - is outside trying to teach an adult child how to defrost chicken over the phone.  I take her the menu, but get a shake of the head.  In the interests of harmony, I suggest she may want to share my sandwich and chips.

The pub is a free house and the four real ales from a local favourite brewery, Hobsons.  The Town Crier was in decent condition but not quite as good as Saturday's truly exceptional example in Bridgnorth.

Note the CAMRA awards and proud entry in this years GBG

The pub fills up quite rapidly.  Mainly with pensioner diners.  And its easy to see why.  My ham sandwich was a bargain £2.80.  These old 'uns can certainly sniff out gastronomic savings.

And when the food arrives, Mrs M has miraculously regained her appetite.   Sandwich halved, I only wish I was as lucky with the chips.