I left work on Thursday in a good mood. I’m glad to say that this is pretty standard. I’ve been at the Manor Hospital 8 and a half months now and have only left in a bad mood a few times, the most recent of those due to the antics of a delivery driver that looks like Sergei from the meerkat adverts. Thursday however there was an added spring in the step for 3 reasons.

(1) the first song on Absolute Radio was Cryin’ by Aerosmith. Absolute tune and although I resisted the urge to sing out loud, I did give it good portions of lip syncing and the nurses and patients mingling on the West Wing corridor would have been in no doubt that I was enjoying myself.

(2) it was light as I left, always guaranteed to lift the spirits and I celebrated by walking into town along the canal, something I haven’t done since the nights drew in.

(3) I was heading for light refreshments. Always a mood enhancer. I have been going to Josh’s for Sunday dinner lots of late so to repay the favour I’d offered to take him to The Registry for tea. Yes, there is a special offer of food for a fiver at the moment so I know I appear like a tight wad but you know it’s January, times are hard and I love a bargain.

We hadn’t confirmed anything. Josh had said he would have to sort baby sitters if he could and wouldn’t be able to come out till 7. By the time I got to The Reg I hadn’t heard off him so took it he couldn’t get baby sitters so I ordered food and drink. I sat down and he messaged saying he would be there at 7. We got there in the end.

I’d taken advantage of this offer the week before with the fish and chips. I’d requested no peas but it came with them anyway. I left them, apologies to John and Norma Major if you’re reading. This time I went for lasagne with a pint of Inch’s which came to a total of £8.20. Bargain.

The music was good starting with Amazulu’s Too Good To Be Forgotten, some indie goodness then Kylie’s Better the Devil You Know which is a perfect a pop song as you can get.

The lasagne came quickly and was soon put away. Gary Timmins and Micky Mullen turned up so I had a chat with them. Gary had the honour of opening the newly refurbished Wetherspoons and pouring the first pint which must have been ace.

Josh arrived and went for the chicken wrap. I didn’t want him to eat alone so I looked at the starters. You can have 3 for the price of 2 so I decided to have two and offer Josh the third which he declined. So I had all three. Scampi, chicken goujons and bbq hunters chips. With another pint of inch’s. Josh was driving so had a J20, but I suspect he was envious of my cider. It’s not often another man is jealous of my Inch’s.

The starters were amazing and I shovelled them down like how The Simpsons eat their food. Happy, it was time for us to check out the refurbished St Matthews Hall (Walsall Wetherspoons), which reopened earlier in the day. Before the refurb we’d heard reports of the conservatory being extended, the toilets being moved (I was just hoping the leak under urinal no 2 would be fixed) and the upstairs section of the back part being reopened. None of these happened. The place was painted, new lighting installed, new carpet and furniture, cellar work and theconservatory was replaced with a new build. The faulty handdrier was fixed but there was still moisture under urinal no 2.

A nice barmaid called Demi told us all of the work that had happened and the place looks good, it smelt new and the beer was top notch. When I was in there on New Years Eve. Chris Kelly was saying that they should install a fireman’s pole to get down from the toilets. As it’s unlucky to cross on the stairs, this would save the issue of you getting to the top as someone gets to the bottom and then you have to gesture to each other as you work out who has right of way. Plus you’d get back to your drink/up the bar quicker so it would have been good for Sir Tim. Shame it didn’t happen.

We sat in the back part and the plastic books that used to light up have now gone which is a shame. Josh asked me about pubs in town and about the new ones that sprung up around the late 90’s. Talk about being in my element. If universities needed lectures on this subject I’d be raking it in.

Josh had to head off but he dropped me off outside the Walsall Arms. The fire inside was roaring, which was a welcome sight as was Lemon Dream being on one of the handpulls. I then spotted a new exciting addition to the wares on offer in there. A big jar of pickled eggs. I asked Alison the barmaid if they were trying to get me in there every day. After a pleasant pint by the fire it was home time.. I try to be in bed by 10 on a school night these days and I just about made it this time.

Talking of Josn, on Friday night he started a challenge to walk from Coventry City’s ground to then visit all the pro West Midlands clubs ending at Bescot Stadium. I asked if he was pleased that Coventry are no longer playing at Northampton. Anyway he did this on his own, in freezing cold temperatures to raise money for Cancer Research in honour of a fellow Saddler Mark Rainer who sadly lost his life to Cancer recently. He would love any donations which can be made on this link. Thank you. https://gofund.me/661dd320