June 20th – Undeterred by the mower, the latest gosling family on the canal near Silver Street were in good spirits, and one of the parents stared me out while the other attacked my stationary bicycle.
Geese are odd creatures, but their chicks have all the cute.
June 20th – To my dismay, the agressive and pointlessly regular towpath mowing schedule continues on local canals, to the detriment of wildflowers growing there, like the poor orchids.
In recent years, the canal management have insisted on having the canalside grass mown every month – not only is this unnecessary, it inhibits the growth of some wonderful species and destroys others in their prime.
The mower had been through today, and although the operator was mindful of some orchids, many more were destroyed.
If the grass had been left another month, it would have been to no detriment and huge benefit.
Frustrating and pointless.
June 19th – Walsall Wood’s lone cygnet appears to be in rude health, thankfully. Now christened Woody, they grey ball of fluff, hatched to attentive parents who rarely achieve a clutch of more than 2 or 3 is very active and busy.
It’s good to see this pair who nest late and long so proud and protective of their offspring – with one of the parents making concerted efforts to peck my feet and pull my laces!
June 19th – Back in Telford briefly, I noted that the footbridge project is progressing apace, with both new spans being brought to sigh and assembled on the ground before being lifted onto the piers.
This is clearly a complex structure and one whose support arrangements will be very complex indeed. I notice thanks to old pal of the blog Alan Dawson that the shorter, over-railway section will be lifted into place at the end of June – but I’m unclear what it’ll be supported upon, as yet there’s not steelwork present at either side of the station to place it on.
One assumes it’ll all fall into place quickly.
June 18th – Now we’re in high summer the flowering phase is fading a little and we’re moving on to hardier, darker flowers and blooms, greens are deepening and the fruiting phase is commencing.
Now is the time of bramble flowers, thistles, knapweed and cornflowers – and the time when the canal looks it’s very best.
June 18th – for the second time in 12 months, Green Lane has been closed so sewage tankers can relive backed up sewers due to a pip collapse near the Clayhanger Sewage Works.
The road has been impassible to cars as drivers Marshall tankers in relays pumping out effluent and Marshall plant around.
Sadly, the impatience of some drivers was pretty unimpressive. These people have a job to do. Let them get on with it.
June 17th – Obvious cat is obvious.
This puss with high hopes and lofty ambitions was hunting by the canal at Rugeley – a roosting mallard had been spotted in the grass with her ducklings, and the story unfolded. Not a great hunter, no ducks were harmed in the making of this post and indeed, they seemed to be mocking the cat in the end.
The cat’s facial expressions are wonderful, particularly in the second image ‘Just a doin’ ma thang, nothin to see here’
Better luck next time puss.
June 17th – A much better day all around with a ride out in steady, fine drizzle to Cannock Chase – heavily pregnant deer were seen near Penkridge Bank, and following a treat at the Wimpy in Milford, aa bimble over Shugborough was just what the doctor ordered.
The lamb had escaped his paddock and flock through the fence, but defied attempts to recapture him, and his antics were entertaining, but left the cattle nearby unimpressed.
At the canal near Bishton, the remains of the boathouse on the river – one a grand affair but now just a Brik-lined caver and passage – were as fascinating as ever. You can find out more here.
June 16th – Always nice to meet a hog going about it’s business and this lovely one was near the Fullelove Memorial Shelter at the foot of Brownhills Parade.
Healthy and very large, it was far too busy to pass the time of day and scuffled off into the night and away from my attention.
Uplifting.
June 16th – A lost day with bike repairs when everything went wrong. Slipping out on a test ride as darkness fell, I hit Silver Street and Catshill Junction, and realised I’d forgotten just how much the G7X camera loves the twilight.
A dreadful day, but a bit of a ride in the glorious even cool was just what I needed.
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