I don’t see my mate Chris very often so when he text asking if I fancied visiting a micropub in Bilbrook then beers in his local Hail To The Ale in Claregate I eagerly agreed. We set a date of Friday and all was good.

There was a decent nod to Rishi Sunak to come with Chris messaging saying the plans were being scaled back as the Bilbrook part of the route was being axed. He asked if I minded which I really didn’t I just wanted a much needed catch up and didn’t mind where. But a government style u turn was to follow with Bilbrook being reinstated and also the option of an additional micro. Result.

I had a busy but enjoyable day at work and the bus from outside was bang on time. I meant to review a chip shop but McDonads Monopoly is currently on and as I still haven’t got Mayfair yet I opted to go there instead. I’m normally a regular at the home of Ronald during the Monopoly period but this was only my 3rd visit this time. Well 4th technically but one was a breakfast drive through mission with Craig and the Monopoly stickers are not available during that time which is probably for the best. If they were on sausage and egg McMuffins it would be the ruin of me, both financially and health wise.

So like I say my 3rd time of the promotion and I got Leicester Square for the 3rd time. That’s a set of some kind surely? Give me a free chicken nugget or something for that.

I got the 529 and headed towards junction 10. It was my first time of seeing this in daylight since it was completed. One lane was coned off despite no road works being performed. Surely defeated the object of building extra lanes.

We passed through Willenhall. The Prince Of Wales being converted was a depressing sight but the former Weetherspoons had an “under offer” sign which was intriguing.

I arrived in Wolverhampton and popped to the loo. The last time I used these facilities I was at the urinal in full flow when I heard “alright Mikee?” I turned and a lad that I honestly didn’t recognise was standing there beaming at me. It’s not often I get beamed at when I’ve got my willy out so was hoping for a repeat occurrence but there was no sign of him this time.

I headed towards Primark where Chris was parked and someone asked if I had a spare cigarette. I don’t smoke so his request was doomed to failure but I love it when I am asked this. If I did smoke I’d like to think that I would leave the house with enough of them to get me though the day so it always makes me happy to know that there are people even less organised than me out there.

Chris was parked by Primark but I know not what make/model/colour of car he drives. Even if I did know I wouldn’t have a clue. My ability to identify cars ended with the Renault 4 and 5 models. As a side note my dream if I ever become a famous rich writer is to own a white Renault 4. Plans are currently on hold as I don’t drive and the only money I have ever made from writing was in 2007 when someone in The Fitters gave me £20 (and bought me a pint) for writing a newspaper obituary for his Mother In Law.

Anyway it was now dusk and I picked the wrong car. Apologies to the bloke and his young lad who had me peering into his passenger door window. Chris was round the corner. I found him and we were off to The Keg And Comfort on Stafford Road.

First time here but I had heard good things about it. Big by micropub standards but it was busy. The bar was long and wide with several ales on along with a wide range of bottles, and randomly a plastic cup with Galaxy bars. There was a massive clock made up of bottles which I loved.

I love a toilet sign and one in here urged customers to clean up after themselves should they feel unwell. My twisted mind took this to mean the shits but realised afterwards they probably meant vomiting. Although both are feasible. Another sign on the hand drier said it wasn’t in use to save electricity which made me smile.

Next up was The Olde Vicarage in Bilbrook. We got a very friendly welcome and were given time to peruse the choice of 15 beers. A lady that came in after us was carrying a pizza box. The barman said she was allowed to bring it in but the barstaff had to be given a slice. I thought that this should be extended to first time visitors but then the lady said the pizza was horrible.

This blew my mind. How can pizza be horrible? Oh of course. It must have pineapple on it.

I explored and found a side room with a piano, guitars books and board games. There is also a crucifix on one of the walls. That priest from Father Ted who is obsessed with saying mass would love it in there, all the ingredients you need for a good service. There is bound to be something behind the bar that could pass as communion wine. I liked this place and we got cheerful goodbyes as we left and I said “thanks, see you soon” and I meant it. A must go back place.

Next up was Hail To The Ale. They had AJ’s Stuck In The Doghouse on and I always have Walsall ale when I see it outside the borough and it was in excellent nick.

This is an award winning micro pub, popular with humans and dogs, one of which gave me a big bark as I walked passed. I don’t mind dogs but am always slightly wary having been bitten on the shoulder by a Great Dane when I was 9. Both dogs in attendance seemed in a god mood so all was good. There was also a piano which had me racking my brains as the last time two consecutive pubs had this instrument. I’m still working that out.

Chris wanted to get home to watch the second half of the West Brom game so he ordered me a taxi which he paid for as he had done for the beers. What a bloke. The taxi came quicker than expected but we’d had a really good catch up and it was good to see him.

As it was early I opted to go to the Walsall Arms, George the driver was not messing around either and had the pedal to metal all the way and I was soon back.

The Arms had Lemon Dream on so I ordered that. Standard behaviour but a lady at the bar questioned why I wanted that and was it nice? She explained that she only drinks cider. Alison gave her a sample and she exclaimed how lovely it was. My work here is done etc. Karaoke was on which was good and ended a fine evening nicely.