On March 28th, Blackpool Jane made a pilgrimage down to Walsall so a catch and a wander had to be done.

Strolling into town and yet again I had strange thoughts in my head. This time I was pondering if the band Texas ever played in said state and I wondered what the biggest country that Big Country gigged in. The gale force wind was bringing a chill with it that was cutting me in half so I needed something to take my mind off it. As I type this just over a week later, I still haven’t found out either answer, and being totally honest, I probably won’t look into it.

I know I tend to leave things to the last minute, or even later if I can and I was up to it again here. Jane’s train was due in at 9.57. I got down to the platform and the sign said it was 9.56.13. I had over half a minute to spare. Tut tut. I could have walked ever so slightly slower Anyway the train came in straight away and off we set.

We had to negotiate the carnage that is Walsall Council’s latest scheme with the top half of the Saddlers Centre now closed off along with shops on Park Street fenced off for demolition. As a result access to Jack & Ada’s is restricted and has been for a couple of months despite not a single brick being removed in the demolition process. Had it been a popular pub they’d have probably started flattening it while the last customer was finishing his pint. Or her pint obviously.

So we finally made it to Jack & Ada’s going through the bus station. We’d certainly got our steps in for the day and worked up an appetite. Paul was on his usual good form and welcoming. I couldn’t move in there for people I know with Beth & Mase, Claire Hendy and Phil and also Steve Winsper who was en route to Coventry Beer Festival. A fest that Jane and I attended back in the day along with Craig and we reminisced about playing Human Jukebox there. Where one of us picked a song and who the jukebox was gong to be to perform it. That person then got to pick the next song and singer. Needless to say I came up with this game after several hours on the booze.

Music was excellent which is standard for there. Baby I Love You by The Ramones and “let’s hang on, to what we got, don’t let go girl we got a lot” – I know not the artist or actual title of that one but they were the songs of the visit. We discussed theatre shows. We’ve so change. Don’t think this has ever cropped up in our conversations before. We’ve become cultured She’s going to see Avenue Q in London and I am so jealous. When I saw it I laughed so loudly, people at the front were turning round.

Food was great. Jane had requested a poached egg and commented that it looked like a tissue. As a male, I don’t need food looking like a tissue so I’m glad I stuck with fried.

We headed to The Pretty Bricks, Kev of BCA fame was serving and declared he was in a Human League mood and we got some classics.

I needed to put lottery on as it was a “must win” draw and I only play it nowadays when it’s one of those. I asked Jane to pick a number and she came up with 49 and asked if she would get a sixth of the winnings which I happily agreed to. I did warn her though that it takes me around 6 months to check my tickets. I like them to relax a bit before I check them but did advise she could be in for an unexpected windfall in November, just in time for a boost to the Bonfire Night budget.

I also bought a pack of Wine Gums. Don’t know why but I don’t like going into a shop and just buying a lottery tickets. Feels like I’m wasting the staffs time. She thought I was buying them to smuggle them into the cinema later but I always keep a pack of them at home and sometimes have a couple as a little treat when I’ve had a goof session of writing. Which is why my previous packet lasted decades.

We headed to the BCA. We sat upstairs and I got some very welcome Sun on my shoulder whilst getting to watch the sign swinging in the wind which was quite relaxing to observe out the corner of my eye. We talked all sorts in here. A good chunk being Walsall of old from when she used to live here and recalled fondly those nudey spot the difference games that you had on machines in The Fitters and The Trough. I don’t think they’d be allowed in today’s society.

Jane said she liked my glasses case. Bit left field but I don’t get many compliments so I gobbled this one up.

We moved on. We marvelled at a man at the top of Goodall Street that ignored the no entry and one way street signs/road markings and roared down it the wrong way. I don’t mind a bit of low level civil disobedience although ignoring the “hot chocolate is no longer allowed on the free refills” sign in Wetherspoons is abut my limit. I’ve only done this once Mr Martin if you’re reading.

At Katz Jane decided to try the no alcohol Guinness and for a laugh I decided to join her. I’ve only been given non alcoholic beer once before and that was in London in 2009 when someone accidentally gave me a Becks “blue”. This was quickly returned. I got Woza to change it as I don’t like to complain. Katz also had an array of burnt top cobs so I dived on a cheese and black pudding for later. I didn’t really get the burn cob thing to start with but now appreciate they are good.

I’d asked Jane in the week if she knew of any decent tourist attractions on any of the Monopoly board properties that I could visit. Unfortunately Jane doesn’t know the board. She found a London CAMRA magazine and started calling out suggestions of bars to see if they were on the board. It became like a London version of Monty Python’s Cheese Shop sketch. “Edgeware Road?” “No.” “Great Portland Street?” “No.” “Portobello Road?” “No.” Finally she hit upon Bow Street and as I didn’t manage to visit said street on Back To The Future day (read all about it here) as I’d planned, I still have that info on my phone.

I didn’t quite know what to make of the Guinness 0.0. Jane split the G without realising. My attempt didn’t quite work. Guess I’m not making it as a TikTok star doing that then.

We’d had 60/70’s music in the cafe, 80’s in The Bricks and now we were in the 90’s and Jase had a class playlist on the go with Sleeper’s Sale Of The century being just pushed out by McAlmont & Butler’s Yes as “Song Of The Visit”. I’m only mentioning these songs as I tend to play them as I type these blogs.

Upon leaving Katz and walking down Intown Row, Jane was in front and walking in the road. I said to get on the pavement and she pointed out it was a one way street with it coming our way so she could see if anything came. Good job our friend from Goodall Street wasn’t in the vicinity.

The wind wasn’t letting down and turning the corner by Tesco we suddenly had the gale at our backs and it nearly blew me into the curry house, which wouldn’t have been the worst result.

I’d suggested Royal Punjab as it opens earlier than the others. We got a warm welcome and were shown to a table. We asked for 3 poppadoms and got 5. Glad it’s not just me that is shit at counting. They weren’t messing around with the food though. Our curries were out before I’d had a couple of nibbles of the second poppadom.

There were two big groups of ladies and there was birthday celebrations in one group. They sang Happy Birthday so of course I joined in. I pushed on and started to sing the “go out and get drunk” second verse till I realised I was on my own and quickly stopped. Two of the ladies in the other group turned round and laughed when I sneezed loudly twice in quick succession.

Food was great. Quickly demolished. Despite the extra poppadoms Jane stuck to just having the one she’d ordered so I tried to plough through the rest but had to admit defeat. Great visit though. 3rd time here and always good. I first reviewed it back in 2022 and you can read that here.

There was still a bit of time before Jane’s train so we went to The Red Lion. Back to the 80s for the music (Happy Hour, Echo Beach and Prince Charming amongst others) and it was busy. Always a good visit, I just wish they’d open the upstairs again. I miss going up that spiral staircase and people watching down on the street below.

A man came up alongside and asked if I wanted any “mens perfume.” I didn’t know they did perfume for men so I politely declined.

Train time and I made my clompiest walk down the stairs ever. So noisy. I blamed the weight of the cob from Katz which was still in my pocket. Everyone must have thought I’d got heavy boots on, but no just my normal shoes.

With Jane safely on the train I headed to The Light Cinema to watch “They Will Kill You.” Up The Junction by Squeeze was playing as I walked in. It had truly been an outstanding afternoon of music.

Anyway, to try and get full use of my Light Cinema monthly membership I’m trying to go 26 times in 2026, and this was visit 20 despite not going once in January. – Late edit, It’s visit 23 tonight for Undertone and 24 tomorrow for California Schemin’ .

Film was ok but once over I headed home. I was going to go Walsall Arms for the retro disco but it had been a long day and I opted to get out of the wind. Cheers Jane for a great day. My turn to head north next time.