Bus Runs Route 79 West Brom to Wolverhampton

I’m tellin’ ya, folks, this bus run don’t get no respect.

I went out Saturday intending to finish the 79 route (see Bus Route Runs for details on the project) but an extra, new road on a roundabout and my general dearth wrt sense of direction left me with a little more to pick up on Sunday (18 Feb 2024) so there you have it.

The 79 is Jimi’s most hated AND favourite route as it is the only one he’s been on (he seems to like the bus) but it takes him to the vet. We might try a tram ride together sometime, though, just for the journey.

For me, the 79 is the easiest way to get back to the buurt when laden with groceries in Wednesbury, hardware in Hilltop, or when the weather is shit in central West Brom. So, I’ve never really seen a lot of the sites along the route above Darlaston.

The architecture — industrial, commercial, and residential — changes rapidly all along the path and winter makes it easier to inspect a lot of it. It may be worth revisiting some of it in the summer for comparison.

The map shows the first 9 runs to cover new segments of the route although 2 of the early ones would have been covered by the other 7 easily.

The New Junction, Darlaston, West Midlands

Pub #2664:

Taking the Gazelle bike on its final voyage along the canals I took a break in Darlaston for some fortification. The nearest (open) pub between my tow path exit and drop off point was the New Junction.

I didn’t expect (nor, indeed have I ever been shocked at) a middle-aged bloke in a frock and, quite unsurprisingly in that light, the tv was tuned to bad 80s pop music…Donna Summer to start with but there was some pleasant INXS before I finished my beer.

I think it was his mom chatting away at the bar EXCEPT that a proper mum would never let her boy go out in such an unflattering knit dress…every roll in need of a sit up was exposed and highlighted, dear heart. Tsk.

The Red Lion, Darlaston, West Midlands

Pub #2439:

First day of a possible heat wave found me cooped up in front of the computer despite the spectacular sun.  I wrapped my day early, though, and got out for a run in the 30°C (86°F) sunshine.  But, first, a Friday post-work beer was in order so I caught the bus to my starting point, The Red Lion just down the hill from Darlaston.

Friendly folks, here, but I opted for the beer garden and spent my time in thought — about work, the state of the world, friends I may never see again.  Sun and heat usually pick me up more than this but, as they were failing me, I headed back in to finish my beer and say my thanks.

The Neil Diamond song “Sweet Caroline” was on the tannoy.  When this was first out, it was on heavy radio rotation during a deep sea fishing trip I was on with my family (I think I was about 5 years old).  Despite my violent sea sickness, it was one of my few fond memories of childhood.  “You know, a pub in Spain has banned that song,” I told the publican.

“Your joking.  Why would they do that?”  His timing couldn’t have been better as just then I held up a finger for a pause and cocked my ear for a second.

“There’ll be NO,” I said.
“Touching hands,” added Neil.
“NO.”
“Reaching out.”
“NO.”
“Touching meeeee…”
“…no.”
“Touching youuuuuuuuu.”

 

The Swan, Darlaston, West Midlands

Pub #2424:

Great pub, the Swan, but also the first one I’ve felt weird in since the Great Pub Reopening.  All the seating is around the walls in little demarcated areas and everyone in there looked like they were both conscious of the risks (I was easily the youngest and I’m bordering vulnerable-due-to-age).

The beer garden is nice and large but there was wind, rain, and a chill in the air (and I was already wet from roughly 7 miles running through this fine summer weather to get here).  Inside, though, there was that palpable sense of doom and camaraderie.  This would easily have made one of my favourite pubs before the plague.

Good pint of mild, too.