Coventry out and about

Hi all In April, a modified bus service No87 was introduced which travels from Coventry Pool Meadow stand E to Solihull, via Balsall Common & Knowle. It is an hourly service. No 87 This is in addition to the No 82 that travels via Meriden. No 82 The new 87 is in effect an extension of the previous service which terminated at Berkswell railway station. I will give it a try this coming week. Googling shows a few pubs worth a try. PS. At this point in time, the Coventry bus maps have not been updated with the new 87 route, but the Solihull map has been so you can see exactly where it goes. Gillian Wesley & The Catwalk Cafe at Knowle is highly recommended fro our ladies. Pass the cakes. I will be in the Red Lion.

Hi all Just a reminder that most bus operators tomorrow (Monday) operate a Sunday timetable. Yesterday, after a visit to my favourite pub in Berkswell, I went on to Solihull. I then travelled the No87 route back from Solihull, breaking the journey at Knowle & Balsall Common. Being aware of most of our bus routes, I changed from the No 87 at Cannon Park shops, where I then travelled home on the 360c. I broke my journey on that with a refreshment stop at the Vale pub in Eastern Green. If you do venture out on a pub crawl using the 360, please do check the bus times on the pole where you get off. I don't know of another bus route anywhere on our planet that is as convenient for visiting pubs, as our circular route.

With my step-brother and his wife over from Peterborough I had to find some place to take them to eat today. Trawled the internet to find one that had a solid reputation and at a reasonable price. We ended up at the Clarendon in Kenilworth. It turned out to be a wise choice. The roast and new potatoes are hidden under the meat and a pot of mixed vegetables was provided too. And just look at that Yorkshire Pudding! For a sweet we all chose the rhubarb crumble. Traditional English fayre served piping hot. Not something you had to wonder whether or not it should really taste like that. It was delicious.

Pixrobin...Not to keen on all that blood...When I have meat I want it dead,not poorly or injured but dead. A good vet could have that meat up and running in no time.

Hi all Determined to make the most of todays pleasant weather, before the clouds start dropping their fatness later, I decided to further explore the new No87 bus service from Coventry to Solihull. I knew that Pam, along with family had planned a Touchwood shopping trip for today by car, so following a Wednesday morning breaky in Coventry with my regulars, I decided to go to Solihull aboard the 11.25, Johnson's bus from the Pool-Meadow. That was a good start as the bus would not start. The driver had to start the bus from the engine compartment solenoid. Anyway, we were soon on our way passing our old school, then the crem, Cannon Park, Burton Green, Basall Common, Knowle & on time into Solihull. I did a quick call to Pam, without me giving anything away, to find out where she was, the group of them were then startled to see me staring at them spending money as if money was going out of fashion. They had not eaten, so me not wishing to spoil their day really, whilst they all went for a bite, I did a bus-hop (No966) to B'ham international, where without waiting I boarded a brand new double decker on the No900 route back to Coventry & home. The new bus continues on its route into Coventry from Kingsbury Rd. Extract from statement issued by National Express "Region's first Platinum buses hit the streets" National Express West Midlands has today joined Solihull and Birmingham councillors to launch a £4 million fleet of new luxurious buses which will give passengers extra leg room, free wifi, high backed leather seats and next stop announcements as well as faster journeys." I got off the 900 at Kingsbury Rd, enjoyed a half at the Brooklands, before catching the on-time 360c to Holbrooks. ******************************************************************* Whilst what I did today was for fun, it does demonstrate what can be achieved when armed with a bus-pass or West Midlands go anywhere ticket. An ability to read a map & timetables is about all that is needed, together with knowledge of a few pubs for comfort stops.

Hi all I have been recently asked by a friend, how easy is it to access Hill St in Birmingham. I am including this in the Coventry out & about as it is intended for use of our Coventry members, who use Megabus, where their departure point is Hill St in B'ham. Picture from me standing outside the Navigation St bridge exit. The bus stops are in Hill St, which is the road going over the bridge. The bus stops are just in view. After Wednesday breaky this morning, I did a wreck-anointer journey, using the train from Coventry to New St. At New St, a choice of exits, depending whether you need the use of lifts. If no lifts are required, the only obstacle to leaving the station is a flight of steps which took me out at Navigation Bridge exit. My picture shows the view from that exit, where the Megabus bus stops can be seen in Hill St, that is just how easy it is. If you need lifts, then exit from Stephen St exit, which when out of the station involves walking to the left in Stephen St, which then joins onto Hill St. It's as easy as that. ps I have just been advised that lifts are available at the Navigation St exit.

Hi all This is another reason why I so enjoy my bus-pass. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3110079/The-car-loving-Britons-refused-walk-One-five-people-stroll-15-minutes-day.html Even yesterday I walked for nearly two hours, travelled on two trains & four buses. It is mostly so relaxing when I drift as I call it. I realise that sometimes a bus or train does not turn up, but over a period of time, we soon learn where the best places to change buses are, so as to have access to as many alternatives as possible. I have wet or dry routes depending on the weather, & before anyone tells me that it is different for me as I am retired, I was a profuse user of public transport whilst fully employed & was never late. If you have not ventured out, give it a try. Please don't plan Lands End or John O'groats just yet. Just a trip to you local shops or a cafe for a treat.

You had a really good day then Philip. You will have to have a label tied to your lapel. "If lost, please return to sender" if ever you drift too far.

Hi to you both & Hi all Whilst waiting for the white van, just time to tell you that a pub snack does not have to break the bank either. This little lot, half of Worthington's along with a bowl of chips, at my local cost less than a coffee in some cafes. Popped in home to deliver a parcel, before trooping out again. Have a good day all, or good-night for Dreamtime.

Those chips look very tempting and a good drop on the side. Goodnight Philip, good night all.

Hi all Gosh! Doesn't time fly when we are having fun? Just renewed my three year "old-fogies" rail-card. Not been on a buy ticket journey, this year so far, but just doing some simple sums, my last three year card cost £60. I bought £550 of travel in that period, that without the card would have cost about £800. I also took advantage of some free & further discounted travel. It wasn't just the trunk journeys that saved cost. I had many "round robin" rover type trips. It's time I did some more locally.