May 16th – I had to visit Telford briefly, but I noticed how much greener the cycleways were than the last time I visited. Sadly, I’d just caught the end of the blossom on that wonderful line of trees, but the tunnel effect and verdant hedgerows were a joy all the same.
People knock Telford (me included) but it’s surprisingly beautiful in places.
May 16th – I had to make a train journey mid day, and I spotted this horror, travelling on the same train.
This is why I’m opposed to seat post mounted rear lights.
The danger of overhanging clothing obscuring them is bad enough, but how is anyone to see your light if it’s obscured by your own saddlebag?
May 15th – The ride to and from Fazeley was nice, too. I sped there, running late after some bike maintenance prompted by the previous day’s tribulations, but cutting over Little Hay was lovely. I left the market heading south to Middleton and the conveyor Bridge, and came out to the rear of Middleton Hall, so I came through Drayton Basset for a change, forgetting the grinding uphill run past the vineyards to Caraway Head.
Drayton Basset is, of course, the resting place of Sir Robert Peel, creator of the British Police Force, and who died surprisingly young, at 62.
The scenery was beautiful, there was a bit of an insistent headwind on the way back, but a pleasing 30 miles.
My 15th – A pleasant recovery ride down to Faxeley Junction in Tamworth to see an old friend – there was a ‘floating market’ there which I caught the tail end of; it was a lovely, gentle event.
As at any canal gathering, the dogs were the stars of the sow; the two retrievers on the doggie boat were gorgeous, even tempered things. Others snoozed, loafed or begged treats from passers by.
There was plenty to see and do and it was a lovely afternoon in the sun to soothe my aches after the long ride of the day before.
May 14th – A long ride from Congleton to home, a distance of 108 miles. I took in The Cloud, Roaches, Flash (the highest village in England), Morridge, Weaver Hills and Tutbury. It was a gorgeous day, and a good ride despite having mechanical trouble.
To see a large gallery of this journey, see this post on my main blog.
May 14th – The first century day ride of the year saw me travel to Congleton in Cheshire first thing. It was a nice journey with a single change at Stoke, which is a very underrated station.
I love the wide open, light and airy feel it has, and a decent buffet, too. Stations like this are a pleasure to wait in, and I’ve always loved this one.
Let’s hope it isn’t ruined in a drive to ‘modernise it, just as Rugby was.
May 13th – On Clayhanger Common, a welcome splash of colour is the red campion, that’s flowering well now near Pier Street bridge.
Such beautiful, pink flowers. So good to see them.
May 13th – Returning to Brownhills, I noted the new families are arriving thick and fast. At Catshill junction, a pair of proud Canada geese with a huge brood of 13 goslings, all seeming in good health. At Silver Street, the Watermead swans have 9 cygnets – all busy little balls of grey fluff.
I love to see the waterfowl breeding, and the antics of the chicks.
May 12th – It was such a gorgeous evening I couldn’t resist going for a spin around the lanes of Stonnall. Everything was suffused in a gorgeous golden light, and the countryside is looking wonderfully green and mellow at the moment.
At Fighting Cocks, the dandelion meadow is just wonderful. It would be nice if this weather could stay awhile.
May 12th – In total contrast to the rest of the week, a beautiful, warm but breeze day and very enjoyable riding indeed. As I set out early, bird were making the most of the early light, and the world seemed to be gently drying.
Arriving at work, my attention was snagged by the flowerbeds on the industrial estate. I love how tulips look like they have some kind of arachnid inside them.
A gorgeous day, which was wonderfully restorative after an awful few days.
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