July 25th – Spotted tacked to a telegraph pole in Stonnall, this looks like it might be a fun thing. This Saturday. Have no knowledge of it other than what’s on the flyer. I assume it’s at the smallholding with the pigs just in Gravelly Lane behind Stonnall Church. Might well take a look at that if the weather is good.
July 25th – In New Road, in Shenstone, there are a pair of curious, semi-detached houses. They look World War II era to me; there’s something austere about them. But they also have a very odd feature, that I’ve not seen anywhere else. One house bears the legend ‘Defiance’ and the other ‘Victory’, inlaid in a most striking way. There’s history right there, but I’ve never been able to find out anything about their origins. Anyone know anything?
July 24th – It’s actually quite hard to get a good view from the top of Shire Oak Hill. All the best vistas are occluded, either by trees or houses. This one, however, isn’t too shabby. From the Chester Road entrance of the Shire Oak Quarry/Landfill, one can get respectable zoom shots on a clear day. Clicking on the above image to zoom will show that this was a very clear, haze-free evening, despite the low wind level. In the middleground is Lichfield Cathedral, the Old Lady of the Vale. Beyond and to her left, the huge silo of the Coors (formerly Bass) brewery in Burton can clearly be seen. To the right, the great hill of Swadlincote and Repton, and beyond, the disused cooling towers of Derbyshire’s otherwise demolished Willington Power Station. That’s a fine view.
July 24th – Grove Hill is a local landmark that’s very visible from the Chester Road. The subject of huge mythology, there’s really very little known about it. Presumably, but not necessarily a burial mound, the lone tree on top makes a lovely viewpoint and a distinctly notable feature. I noticed a recent conversation on Facebook where it was asserted that the hill was called Gallows Hill, and was once the site of a military encampment. Sadly, I think the physical geography has a simpler explanation.
I believe the tree still exists – and I doubt it’s original – to keep the soil on top of the hill. It’s windy up there, and soil erosion is a problem. The root system will work to contain the earth, giving the reason why the farmer never removed it and put up with ploughing round it year after year. Note the short ridge hedgerow to the left – it’s on the generally windward side of the hill. The difference in soil height is caused by the hedge doing it’s job, which is also to prevent erosion by the wind.
It’s a lovely spot, with some fascinating folklore. However, like most fantastical tales, I suspect the actuality is somewhat mundane.
July 24th – The trains were awful this evening. I left New Street at 5:35pm, and my train limped into Blake Street, where it prematurely terminated – an hour later. Hot and bothered, I welcomed the journey through Little Aston and Mill Green. I noticed how fine Little Aston church looked in the sunlight. It’s and interesting building; sometimes I don’t like it, other times it looks wonderful, depending on the light and the season. I do love how it’s still got the air of a rural parish church, even though it’s surrounded by suburban sprawl. The surrounding meadow just makes it that bit more beautiful.
July 23rd – It’s really nice to have summer on her throne right now. I’ve waited so long for this. The countryside is drying out, and crops that were green and late a few days ago are turning golden in the hot sun. Here at Springhill, near Stonnall, this field of barley was rippling gently in the breeze. Soon, it’ll be time for another of the seasonal markers to tumble into place; it’ll be time to bring the harvest home. Let’s hope for a late scorcher, eh?
I made a bad turn today. Rode down the canal from Longwood Bridge and instead of turning left and going onwards to Sandwell Valley, I turned right and headed towards Tame Valley Junction. I’ve never rode the bike along this stretch before and don’t intend to again. There isn’t much to recommend itself here. The normal drone of the M5 and M6 that you tend to get in this neck of the woods becomes a high decibel nuisance and a personal nightmare for me are heights and this part of the canal is very high! Closing your eyes because of vertigo whilst riding next to a canal is a daft thing to do but the roads and railways were so far below me I had no choice but hey ho, I didn’t crash and I didn’t drown.
The other thing that bothered me about this part of the canal network was the sheer filth, rubbish and litter filling the canal. It was a sorry site.
The pictures of the lilies etc were taken near Gillity Bridge. The other is the view of the M5/M6 interchange from on high.
I gave it two miles but was so dispirited I turned around and returned the way I had come.
July 23rd – I found myself commuting to Leicester this week. This means an early run to Lichfield Trent Valley, a change at Nuneaton and cycling from South Wigston. This is a journey unique in the British railway system in that it features the two worst stations in the country (apart from possibly Hale and Dovey Junction). However, this year, South Wigston has been a delight. I have no idea who, but someone has been guerilla planting flowers on the scrub on the northbound platform. Earlier in the year it was a riot of grape hyacinths, bluebells and primroses. Now it’s a peculiar but delightful yellow unknown flower, roses, budleia and foxgloves. Beauty in such an unexpected place. It can’t be cultivated, because it’s still just scrub.
July 22nd – Can there be anything finer than to be in England, in Staffordshire, on a sunny, warm Sunday Evening? I shot over the Chase again, this time over the ancient hill fort of Castle Ring, then dropped into Stonepit Green, and descended to Colton via Stile Cop. Heading out via Blithfield Reservoir, I called in at Hoar Cross, Scotch Hills and Dunstall, returning via Walton on Trent, Croxall and Lichfield. A great ride, and a great way to spend a Sunday evening. A lovely day.
July 22nd – Chasewater is returning to normal. A hot summer Sunday at last, and the place was packed. People cycled, strolled, played games with the kids or just took the air. Boats were sailing, even a rowing boat scudded over the water. Levels continue to rise. It’s like watching a dear old friend recover from a debilitating illness. Wonderful.
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