#365daysofbiking On the turn

September 19th – The cycleways of Telford are putting on their autumn jacket now and they always look so fine at this time of year.

The green tunnel effect of the track up from the station is gorgeous in summer, but when on the turn, with sunlight through the hedgerows, it’s magical.

You wouldn’t think you were a few metres from a busy motorway. Only concern is watching out for slippery patched of wet leaves looking to steal my wheels…

This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here.

from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2mZYzHi
via IFTTT

#365daysofbiking An Indian summer lover

September 18th -The unusually fine, warm autumn weather meant probably the last public appearance for Mr. Miyagi, the local feral yellowfins belly slider turtle who lives in the canal near Clayhanger.

He was sunbathing happily in his normal spot with admires passing by gently as not to scare him.

For a discarded pet, he certainly has many fans. He’ll soon retire to the deep mud where the cold doesn’t get, before re-emerging in spring.

An unusual local celebrity.

This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here.

from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2mj1uL4
via IFTTT

#365daysofbiking Nice ‘tache!

September 18th – Scarborough Road in Walsall is still a veritable catropolis, and I see plenty of fine pusses there. Sadly I can’t often photograph them without invading the privacy of the householders in whose gardens or upon whose window cills these fine felines hang out.

This proud puss – with more than a little of the Adolf-cat about him, have to say – was sat in a gateway watching me ride past.

He obliged me by posing for a picture. Clearly a lovely cat – someone loves this one very much.

This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here.

from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2mSUe8T
via IFTTT

#365daysofbiking Misty mellow morning

September 17th – My sadness at the end of summer and oncoming winter slides in and out, accompanied usually by a delight at the new season.

They say that drowning is quite pleasurable if you stop fighting it. Autumn and the oncoming darkness are a bit like that for me.

Early morning in Mill Green, on my way to the early train, the mist, low sun and autumnal fields combine and give me a reason to be positive about things.

This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here.

from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2nFU0lA
via IFTTT

#365daysofbiking The colour scheme

September 16th – But of course, in time autumn brings it’s own colours, and in their way, they can be every bit as vivid as those of summer.

The canalside hedgerows near Walsall Wood are looking particularly attractive right now… so all is not lost.

All the seasons have beauty and positivity. Sometimes you just have to look harder to find it.

This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here.

from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2mLw3ZQ
via IFTTT

#365daysofbiking Toadily over

September 16th – It’s all about autumn now. The change seems to have been very rapid, but in reality it’s been actually quite slow and by almost imperceptible daily degrees.

There are fewer and fewer flowers now, and those that are left are the world-weary late summer soldiers, hanging on for a bit of late pollination – willow herb, dandelions, ragwort, evening primrose, bindweed and like this bedraggled specimen, butter and egg or toadflax.

Beautiful but sad, I bid them farewell for another year and look forward to regaining the colour with the spring. That seems like a lifetime away right now.

This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here.

from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2mzepsu
via IFTTT

#365daysofbiking Bridging the cat gap

September 15th – Passing Binary Wharf in Walsall Wood I always smile at the plank of wood from a French window cill over the gap to the towpath retaining wall through the railings. I must confess, it took me a few weeks to work out it’s purpose, and I’ve been meaning to feature it for years but it’s hard to photograph without looking like you’re invading privacy of the tenants.

I’m 99% sure the plank affords a cat access to the happy hunting ground of the canal without the inconvenience of a huge jump. Possibly, just possibly, the handsome black and white puss I spotted in a business yard over the road.

I love stuff like this: Small accommodations for animals to go about their daily lives.

This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here.

from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2AAJZJF
via IFTTT

#365daysofbiking A frank warning

September 15th – On the way to Screwfix in Walsall Wood on another busy day of domestic jobs, this frank but welcome warning on the underside of Walsall Wood bridge.

I bet that’s claimed a few cyclist foreheads in it’s time. It is rather low.

This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here.

from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2QwNefM
via IFTTT

#365daysofbiking Creeping poison

September 14th – In a hedgerow by the towpath in Walsall Wood, a creeper drapes pretty red berries on long, dying tendrils.

Don’t be deceived, white briony – the only native member of the cucumber family in the UK – is deadly poisonous.

It’s pretty but also pretty nasty: One to admire, but not touch I think.

This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here.

from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2ACVz6V
via IFTTT

#365daysofbiking Darkening skies

September 14th – I left in the afternoon after a bad morning at work and a day of family errands and hassle.

Heading up to Chasewater on the canal, the skies were overcast and dark and matched my mood beautifully.

Autumn is starting to come now to my favourite local views over Home Farm to Sandhills, Hammerwich and the local canal. Nothing can stop it, and as usual, after the initial horror of summer’s end, I’m getting to love it.

But some peace and quiet would be nice…

This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here.

from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2Qh2oFR
via IFTTT