February 23rd – A blustery circuit of Chasewater was hard work but enjoyable. My fitness is returning but the wind – enough to whip up spume on the reservoir – was making life very difficult.
The skies were good though, and when the sun came out, there was perceptible warmth on my face.
I guess we’re all just waiting for better days now.
This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2PEMEdo
via IFTTT
February 22nd – Something that has got steadily worse over the wet winter has been the imminent collapse of the canal embankment bear the Pier Street bridge. Much of the wall here has been rebuilt, but the older section here has been tilting for years, caused no doubt by the creation of the mound on the common adjacent, settling and pushing it over.
At the moment the angle is perilous and I doubt it will be long before the brickwork gives – it won’t be disastrous but will require a lot of work to fix.
This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2IeUq9m
via IFTTT
February 22nd – On a potter to Brownhills, despite the awful weather spring is clearly getting on her throne with fine displays of blackthorn and other early blossom.
These trees by the Pier Street Bridge in Brownhills are putting on a fine display. In late summer there will be a fine crop of bullate and sloe here.
I get the feeling that nature is just waiting for a spot of good weather then everything will explode into leaf…
This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/39itDVU
via IFTTT
February 21st – In the wind and withering of a horrible Friday night commute, I crossed Bentley Bridge in Darlaston Green, and stopped to answer a text. looking to my left, I thought the cherrypicker lifts in the yard down the canal looked almost prehistoric in the way they caught the yard lights.
Years ago, this would have been a busy canal, with Garringtons drop forging factory either side – the narrows still visible in the distance where there was a drop bridge between the two yards.
Today, it was much cleaner, and quieter, apart from the wind and the sound of rain on the canal.
How times change.
This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2w9Ogox
via IFTTT
February 20th – Despite yet another foul day, the flowers of Kings Hill Park in Darlaston have decided the time is ripe and are putting on a thoroughly gorgeous show.
Miniature diffs, crocuses and snowdrops mingle, with the full size days getting ready for act 2, followed later by the fantastic tulips in the planters.
With such resolve to being beautiful, one can really lift the sadness of another day of bad weather.
This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2wSg6WG
via IFTTT
February 19th – I don’t find myself in Digbeth much these days, but on my return from Sparkhill I had a quick spin around the Custard Factory and creative quarter to admire the street art and giggle at the hipsters.
When the Custard Factory opened as an arts Centre in the 90s it had a very slow start, but over the subsequent three decades it’s developed an inertia and community of it’s own, with businesses here selling vintage and fashion clothes, art, art materials and all kinds of stuff like that – punctuated by fashionable cafes and business places for startups.
The art here is indeed stunning and the atmosphere fascinating and engaging. It’s like a world within, encased as it is in industrial, backstreet Birmingham. The surrounding grit seems to reinforce the impression of a down at heel but humming artist’s quarter.
Another place I must return to when I have time.
This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2Tjo8zt
via IFTTT
February 19th – In Birmingham for a meeting, I found myself at the top of Moseley Road where it meets Highgate Middleway, and I noticed a building that’s stunning, yet I can’t recall every studying before.
It’s the Birmingham Friends Institute, and when I have more time I shall take a closer look. It’s still a busy community hub and centre, and is architecturally stunning in that busy, late Victorian Gothic urban style.
An unexpected find on a grey morning. Utterly charming.
This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2VqP3fe
via IFTTT
February 18th – One of the more grinding, miserable effects of the tremendously wet year so far has been the constant sea of mud that accompanies any off-road ride: From towpaths to cycleways, every journey is accompanied by damp and filth and the unpleasant, dogged drag through goop.
When things finally dry out a bit it will be so lovely.
But that feels a long way away right now.
This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/3cd95ju
via IFTTT
February 18th – on my way through Pleck, I spotted this clump of daffodils, a welcome addition to my currently grey and grim commute.
I note daffodils are gradually emerging in parks, hedgerows and gardens, and not just the traditional early patches I’m familiar with – they seem a bit early this year but I’m not sure if they really are.
Whatever they are, they are most welcome. Spring is definitely here when these beautiful characters appear.
This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2PuLyRd
via IFTTT
February 17th -The storm bought huge amounts of rain to an already saturated environment. The canal overflow at Silver Street had flooded the lower meadow already.
The overflow at Clayhanger Bridge’s overflow – which goes into the same drain – was no less fierce.
Mesmerising to watch, but frightening when you think of the sheer volume we’ve had.
Let’s have a dry spell soon!
This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here
from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2unon3S
via IFTTT
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 