We’d discussed going to the Walsall Lakeside 2022 event (link goes to, of all places, an advertising “magazine” because I’m not linking to Facebook, the promoter’s website will doubtless change it’s homepage, and it doesn’t seem to even be present on Walsall MBC’s site), but were undecided. The continuing unreliability of buses, and the prospect of the general public had given us doubts.

On top of that, I’d cut the lawn, a task that these days means an extended time and a good quantity of painkillers.

We thought we’d give it a go.

And you know what? it was great. The 10 turned up. We got off it and walked into the Arboretum, found a seat, and got a drink from the bar being run by The Fountain (so all the advantages of the pob itself without the customers), and sat in the sun watching live music, drinking, and generally having a good time. We got curry goat too.

This was all free, except the food and drink- and you could take your own in if you wanted. Goes to show that the often-heard whinge of there being nothing on in Walsall is so wrong, and the Arboretum is still lovely, despite the funding cuts.

Hell, the bus even turned up to get us home. Payback for Saturday, maybe?