January 10th – The signs of life continue in the still overall very mild winter; pansies and the first snowdrops – not here a week ago – in Kings HJill Park, Darlaston.
It’s great to see them, they really bring a splash of welcome colour to a grey world.
Just hope we don’t get a cold snap to set them back – after all, last spring was very late. Let’s have an early one this year, eh?
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January 9th – On the canal near the overflow at Clayhanger someone has tethered a fibreglass pleasure boat. I’m not sure if it’s being lived in or not, but seems to be. However, when I rode past in the dark this evening, one end had been untied and the craft had swung out into the water.
I don’t know who owns it or what it’s doping there, but someone clearly cares for it. I am becoming aware that waterways are currently hosting a number of unfortunate folk who would be homeless but for their often down at heel boats.
An odd one.
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January 9th – Spotted just hanging around outside the wonderful Mindful Gifts dementia charity shop in Darlaston, this lovely fellow. Not sure of his actual staff role, but clearly an important member of the team.
How adorable!
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January 8th – It’s not often I feature here photos of things that aren’t there any more. But in this case, I had no choice really as I just had to share.
Heading home along the canal to Brownhills, between the Black Cock Bridge and Clayhanger Bridge in darkness, I was brought to a sudden, screeching halt by… a group of deer on the towpath.
Something had spooked them up ahed and they were running toward me, but seeing my light, they deflected into the copse adjacent and disappeared into the darkness.
So, here was a group of deer.
An oddly unsettling experience…
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January 7th – But there’s always brightness, and just now, everywhere reminders that while still not here, spring is only just around the corner.
In a garden in kings Hill where in summer I see old Sam the cat, pots of flowers – fancy miniature daffodils and primroses of some sort I think.
Whatever they are, they cheered me right up. Thank you!
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January 7th – I rode in to work from Walsall along the canal for the first time in a few weeks – it wasn’t;t a bad ride, though I forgot how grey it can be on a dull, overcast winter day.
Nice to see Canal and River Trust litter picking crews out at the birch ills end, and hopefully they can clear some of the mess left by the magnet fishers – what a pain in the backside they are.
At Bently Bridge the view was trying to be green, but it’s heart wasn’t;t in it, sadly. Maybe some sun tomorrow…
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January 6th – A fast, long ride over Cannock Chase from Pye green, down Sherbrook Valley, down Pepper Slade and Abrahams Valley, back to Stepping Stones and over Milford and Shugborough saw me riding the canal back to Armitage in darkness.
The ride on a dull but very warm day had not been great for photos, but the canal around Rugeley and Armitage more than made up for it.
A 48 mile ride on a grey but lovely day was just what I needed. Longer rides are making me feel better again.
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January 6th – One thing this journal is known for is the pictures of cats I meet in my daily life.
Sadly, my cat radar has been off this winter. I’ve hardly seen any – despite the warm weather, Felis Catus has apparently been at home, napping. Which you can understand, really.
Sunday though, was positively tropical and in a short run up the canal to Chasewater I spotted these three fine specimens. The pair apparently having a union meeting were on the canal bank by Deakin Avenue, and the gorgeous, grumpy looking raccoon cat was near Newtown Bridge. Great face markings.
Nice to spot some cats again.
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January 5th – Heading back up the High Street to get a takeaway, I passed the now well-lit Morris with the lights on the surrounding trees looking beautiful.
I will never tire of photographing this statue. Is is by turns, dramatic, beautiful, ridiculously out of place, preposterous and wonderful.
Fantastic by day, even better by night. Morris symbolises home and the town I love.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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January 5th – I had intended to go for a long ride – but the weather was grey and miserable and it was cold, so I stayed indoors until darkness, then slipped out on some errands.
Some long exposure photos on the canal between the Jolly Collier and old cement works bridges came out really well – thirty seconds with the camera on timer held solidly to guard rails gave excellent results in what was otherwise pretty much urban darkness.
Sometimes the short journeys turn out to be the most rewarding.
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