October 19th – The last time I was in this spot at this time of day was Friday, when I was feeling black and down. Today, I stopped in the chill air and looked to the retreating sun.
I got out the camera, recorded the sunset over my town, the place I love, then remounted and headed off into the light.
I feel so much better today. If only I could remain in light.
October 19th – At Telford, the cycle rack at the place I was visiting had this bike locked in a corner. When inside, I found the owner and warned them about their locking technique; the cable lock only secures the rear wheel to the stand. A sharp thief would just pop the quick release, leave the wheel in situ, and nick an unlocked rear wheel from a nearby bike. Hey presto, complete steed ready to go in seconds, no tools required.
Always use two different locks. Always secure through the frame. Nothing will make your bike thief-proof, but you can make it time consuming, or bothersome to steal.
October 19th – I had to make a quick trip to Telford in the afternoon. Riding from the station on the cycleway, I noticed what a beautiful autumnal tunnel I was riding in.
It really is most beautiful. How fantastic this must be in the sunshine!
October 18th – I also liked how beautiful Walsall Wood was on this greyest of grey Sundays. The trees around the Brookland Road junction look superb – and the church of St. John, this evening with lights on for a service -looked great with the turning leaves in the background.
I felt much better today. I got stuff actually done. Once the black dog settles in it can be the very devil to shift, and at this time of year I’m always susceptible. But in truth, the light nights will return, a new year and new spring will dawn, and I’ll feel the warmth again.
In the meantime, I’ll learn to love the darkness. Sometimes it’s your friend. But it’s like doing a deal with the devil.
There’s a lot of cold, a lot of rough weather and a lot of darkness to come before the next spring.
October 18th – I felt much better today, and had an errand to run to find a bunch of conkers for a good pal. Sadly I didn’t escape until late on a grey afternoon, so didn’t have time to take photos. Later on, the errand done, my pace slowed and I found myself returning from Aldridge, and I noted the marina at the back of Brickyard Road was busy now, presumably with boats overwintering.
It looks like a nice mooring with secure, modern facilities – and there are some nice boats there. I’d quite fancy a narrowboat to live on were it not for the cold and continual running costs.
October 17th – Halloween seems to be getting bigger and more commercial every year, and this year, the hype has started particularly early.
It’s nice to see the popularity of pumpkins, though, as I adore the orange gourd, particularly as soup. In Lichfield, I loved the two carved ones on display at the greengrocers.
A nice touch that made me smile.
October 17th – I wasn’t feeling much better today, and resolved to get out to try and lift the black dog from my back. And as usual, it worked.
The day was as dull as autumn makes them; overcast and threatening, but my journey to Lichfield was illuminated by the remarkable colours on display. From my favourite horse chestnut tree at Home Farm to the line of maples at Darwin Park, it all looked beautiful.
Sometimes all you need is fresh air, bustle and the beauty of nature just doing her thing.
October 16th – It had been a very long final day in a very long week. I was tired, my energy reserves were low and to to put it bluntly, I felt lower than the sea’s knees. I called in to Stonnall on the way home, and as I winched myself up Shire Oak Hill at Sandhills, I looked back at the Friday rush hour traffic rolling up the hill.
Dusk was falling, it was cold and beauty was hard to find.
Some journeys are harder than others, even when homeward bound. I felt every inch of this one.
October 16th – Spotted in Wednesbury, a whole line of snowberry bushes. These low, still flowering shrubs are peppered with the globular, white berries that look quite beautiful.
I know of no other fruit like it. I assume it’s an import for ornamental reasons. It’s certainly one of the markers of autumn.
October 15th – In a factory yard in the darkest Black Country, a temporarily misplaced young hunter peers hopefully from a bund wall at standing water. There might be the odd frog, I guess, but no fish in there, sir.
He watched for a while, then, as if called, suddenly flew away. He seemed to know exactly where he was going.
This is why I adore the Black Country.
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