It was the last Friday of June. Where is this year going? It seems like only five minutes since we were all singing Auld Lang Syne and then forgetting our Dry January “promises” within seconds of it starting.

It was a decent day at work and afterwards I was heading to Cannock for alcohol and curry. Two of my favourite things. My wonderful colleague Carole offered me a lift as she lives over that way. Turned out in the end to be just a lift from the back of the Manor Hospital to the front as the traffic was looking a bit poo and we deduced I’d probably have more chance of getting there on time on the train. So I jumped out and took a gentle stroll. Thanks though Carole.

The train was on time and I was soon in Cannock. As I left the station I heard sirens, looked up and saw a fire engine bombing down the road. Someone in a control room somewhere must have instructed “oh, there’s a Walsall lad at the railway station, better try and make him feel at home.”

It didn’t take long to reach The Merchant. Foo Fighters were playing as I walked in which was a good start. During international football tournaments they way I decide if I like a pub changes, and the main criteria becomes about how many England flags are on show and they had certainly gone to town here, even including them on top of the lager displays. I was served straight away and found a (wonky) table. I had put my glass on it for about a second and “Comedy” Dave walked in. Perfect timing. Almost like we had planned it.

He went to the bar and I moved to the next table which was also wonky. He returned and we moved along and got a happy table. We had much to catch up on but the first conversation was about how it’s only 16 months until we have known each other for 20 years. It’s been an absolute blast though. This guy literally saved my existence when he moved in with me in 2013 following a previous house sharing arrangement going very wrong. When he moved in I was on the verge of giving up the house I was renting at the time and going to live in a tent in the Arboretum so cheers for that Dave. First workmates, then housemates but always great mates.

The music was really good in here and we didn’t want to move on but I had more pubs to visit. As we walked up the main street Dave noticed a renamed pub now called The Jam Inn. I like this place and have ticked it off in it’s previous names of Bar 77 and JK’s but hadn’t planned on visiting it this time. However a renamed pub has to be re-ticked according to English laws that date back to medieval times so in we went.

A laid back version of Always On My Mind was playing, we got served straight away and settled in a quiet part of the place. During our drink a fire alarm went off. No idea who it was aimed at but from behind us came a shout of “put your knickers back on, too much heat is coming out.” Comment of the night. The alarm quickly went silent and we didn’t have to assemble outside, though nobody was showing much interest in doing this anyway.

Next up was New Hall Arms, the must visit pub of Cannock. Tony the landlord was in and he welcomed me by announcing to the room that the Lord Mayor Of Walsall is in. I like it when someone else steps up and makes a place all about me and saving me a job.

We were slightly behind schedule so rather than peruse the board I just asked tony and he recommended two so I opted for a Rocky from Shiny Brewery and it was good.

The Royal Oak was next. First song that came on was She Moves In Her Own Way by The Kooks. Class song and tune of the night I reckon. We got served and went uo the back and sat in an elevated section. I’ve been in this pub many times and didn’t know an upper tier is available. The music was class and we continued chatting. I don’t know how she came into the conversation but Dave mention Dua Lipa who I had to fess up as having heard of but didn’t know anything about her.

“You’ve never seen Dua Lipa?” clarified Dave. “No.” “Mate, she’s a solid 10.” I asked if I could quote him on that and he was fine. He called up pictures and yes he has a point. After a few seconds of scrolling down he deduced “oh, you won’t like her. She doesn’t wear a bra.” So Dua, here’s the deal. Appreciate that it’s unlikely that we will ever go on a date but if we do, can you wear a white bra please? Thanks. I’ll buy the Nargis Kebabs.

The Linford Arms is Cannock’s Wetherspoons and that was next. I asked Dave what he wanted. He replied “Corona.” I misheard and asked for 2 Peroni. I turned to Dave. “I’ve joined you. I’ve never had this, I’m excited.” “You’ve never had this?” Dave queried. thinking I,d ordered 2 Corona. The barman must have heard our conversation though and decided Dave was in charge as we did indeed get two Corona. Pints of it which I didn’t even know was a thing.

It was curry time before we knew it. The main reason for heading to Cannock other than the catch up with Dave was to go to Shabab. I do the Cannock pubs quite often but never get to go for curry. Shabab is the home of the post Friday night performance AMCS cast curry. I’ve not done this curry for a while having only done 1 of the last 5 shows and I couldn’t partake that night due to getting home issues. So it needed a revisit.

It was busy as we walked in but we got a table, seated near a group discussing the new Walsall FC tops. I went for a chicken curry with a cheese naan and it was ace. We got chocolate and a very yummy shot at the end too. The shot was like an orange flavoured Bailey’s but I’m not sure what it actually was. Dave can we go back to research please?

Dave paid for the food which was very decent of him. We went our separate ways. Next door to Shabab is a crackling pub called The Arcade and even though I’d just missed my target train (22.03) with the next one not due for 40 minutes I opted instead to just take a nice peaceful amble to the station.

Upon arriving back in Walsall a bus to near my house wasn’t due for 20 minutes so I walked home. Sorry Carole (she tells me off for walking over Church Hill at night.)

Cheers for a good night Comedy. Cannock I shall no doubt be back soon. Save me a Peroni in Wetherspoons.