July 21st – In a slow potter back through Walton, Croxall, Edingale, Darlaston and Whittington the sunset was gorgeous, make better by some really great cloud formations.
The Trooper at Wall always looks great at night, too.
Couldn’t help notice though that the darkness is now coming on earlier and earlier. Autumn will soon be tapping me on the shoulder…
July 21st – After rising the Barton Gate steam rally, I pottered over to Dunstall and road the track from Barton Gate up to the village. A lovely run, it gives the very best views of a really pretty, little known village on the hill above Barton under Needwood.
A lovely, mellow Saturday evening was really enjoyable – not pushing it, just ambling and stopping to smell the flowers.
A great restorative for mind and spirit.
July 20th – I met the. Walsall Wood swans near Clayhanger bridge. Woody, their single cygnet this year, is growing and developing very well indeed, and the family are confident, wary of humans, but relaxed.
Woody posed happily for the camera, which was lovely.
But I still can’t get used to how alien swan feet are…
July 20th – One flower that’s doing particularly well at the moment is purple loosestrife. I see it mainly by the canals but is seems fairly widespread.
This short but vivid examples were growing from the canal bracing rail by Catshill Junction and are absolutely divine.
July 19th – Spotted by the canal near Clayhanger, on a ragwort plant – their favourite food – a yellow and black striped cinnabar moth caterpillar, which seem to be having a good year this year.
These stripes fellows turn into beautiful black and red moths later in the season and are fascinating.
A nice find on a hot day.
July 19th – Following the canal breach a few weeks ago, that saw the local canals lose nearly a foot in level following a breach into a culvert beneath the waterway at Little Bloxwich, the repair has been effected and levels are back up to a healthy level now.
At Clayhanger, the low end of the overflow is now running well and it’s a fine sight and sound once more.
July 18th – Looking less green, but still beautiful, the farmland opposite Jockey Meadows, Walsall Wood has a beautiful colour at the moment. The meadows themselves have so far this year been untouched by cattle for the first time in a good few years, so the water meadow has tall grass and the scrub is clearly taking over, but here on the farmland, things seem a bit more ordered, but the marshy patch closest to the camera is still largely fallow.
The season’s jacket is gradually and steadily turning colour. Whilst it’s beautiful, it’s a bit sad seeing such a great season pass.
July 18th – Gradually in the last week, the days have been becoming just a little cooler, and just a little bit more overcast.
I’m not sure if this is a trend, or just a dip inn an otherwise wonderful summer.
Despite the greyness, the canal at Bentley Bridge still looked superb. I love the summer.
July 17th – Following the news of the sad loss of fellow blogger and friend The Plastic Hippo, today was difficult, sad and low. He followed this journal avidly.
I fought through it, and carried on. But it was hard.
I never realised that you could feel such loss for someone you knew so little about.
As I climbed the steps from Shenstone station, the sky was dramatic and beautiful. And beneath it, I was hollow.
Goodbye, pal.
July 16th – In the bike shed at Telford, something that worries and irritates me.
So many companies sell seat post mounting rear lights and reflectors, which seem like a good idea.
Until the rider wears a jacket that overhangs the saddle. Or uses a carrier.
I’m surprised this issue never, ever seems to have been addressed.
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