BrownhillsBob

January 24th – The awful news of the tragic, senseless death has left me, like many other local people, hollow, hurting and shell shocked. It has cast a long shadow over the town and a community reels in shock.

Getting to work after riding in a torrential, early morning downpour, I was wet, spare, lost and disheartened.

But then, on the grass outside the front of my workplace, I noticed specks of white in the gloom I expected to be spilled polystyrene or litter.

They wer daisies. optimistic, bright, open daisies, pushing for the sky, hopeful of sun, better days and spring.

And after finding them, I was just a little bit lighter.

January 23rd – And, as welcome as a warm pair of slippers, I return to Shenstone in the dark.

The Canon again did some good stuff with the atmosphere here. I am adoring this little camera. Never thought I’d say that of this brand.

It was cold, and there was a strong headwind. But I was homeward bound, and Shenstone Station, like an old pal, is soothing in the darkness.

January 23rd – Tuesday. The cold is easing but my average speed is still lamentable. I’m feeling better, but still not well and the weather is… Challenging.

Returning from Birmingham in the 5pm dusk, at least New Street Station gave me some welcome late night feelings.

I’m improving. But a return to health and optimism can’t come soon enough.

dry-valleys:

“

Then came old January, wrappèd well
In many weeds to keep the cold away;
Yet did he quake and quiver, like to quell,
And blow his nails to warm them if he may;
For they were numb’d with holding all the day
An hatchet keen, with which he fellèd wood
And from the trees did lop the needless spray” Edmund Spenser.

At Bagnall Road Wood, where I’m part of a voluntary group helping care for what is very much a hidden gem in the city.

January has consisted largely of working in the office so it was a relief to get out and get some lasting work done. We were dredging the pond, which had become silted up during the winter, and you can see (8) Martin, the chairman of the friends of group, toiling away with canine help!

On Sunday and (2,7) May 2016, (4) October 2016.

January 22nd – Darkness is on the run.

Sunrise, 8:04 – Sunset 4:33. A month ago it was 8:18 and 3:53. On a decent day, it’s now not properly dark until gone 5pm.

This is making me happy. Every day, I note the tiny increase snatched back from the night, Every day, I’m a little bit closer.

Just shake this cold, get some flowers out, and it’ll be well on the way to spring.

January 21st – I did the things I had to do, and looped back around the canal and over Ogley Footbridge, which is officially closed for renovation, but as there’s nothing obstructing the towpath yet, is still passable.

A floating work pontoon has been assembled below the bridge, and protective barrier and a work compound set up.

I have a feeling this will be more than a cursory lick of paint…

January 21st – Joni Mitchell awoke, and found a frost perched on her town. I awoke, and found a tragedy perched on Brownhills.

A child had died in the worst of ways. Everywhere was in shock. The weather was wet, miserable and grey. A family had been riven by loss.

Rest in peace, little one. You are in my thoughts.

January 20th – Back on the Canon, the photos felt more… vital, or vibrant. Which is an odd thing to say about a bunch of images of a cold, wet, snowy and misty grey winter landscape. But they do.

It was lonely. And cold. And I think these images convey that fairly well…

December 20th – A day of horrid weather – wet snow and cold winds. I stayed indoors after an awful night’s sleep, waiting until dusk to dash out on a circuit of Brownhills, which I have to say, against expectations, I enjoyed.

I passed the Watermead Estate swan couple, preening and feeding in the snow. They seemed unconcerned by the cold, which I guess they don’t feel. But I wonder if it annoys them?

It’s almost like they don’t notice it. Birds are odd.

December 19th – I came back through Walsall Wood and up over Castlefort as I had to nip into Stonnall. I’ve been using the TZ100 all week. After trying some night shots from Hollanders Brindge in Walsall Wood, I’ve decided – I prefer the Canon.

This is momentous. I’ve used Panasonic cameras mostly for 10 years. But the TZ100? It takes good pictures. It’s low light performance is good. It’s not a bad camera. But it’s too like the TZ90 in user interface and features, and it’s lagging the G7X in usability, and I think, just a little in picture quality too.

Whatever succeeds the TZ100 needs to plough a different enough furrow to make it feel better. It doesn’t, particularly.