August 26th – Depressingly for me, Autumn is clearly now upon us. Elderberries are darkening and the scrubs and hedgerows are thick with them, leaves are turning and haws, conkers, rose hips and acorns are all ripening. Ryecroft cemetery looked particularly autumnal, as did Park Hall. I always find this bank holiday depressing, although soon I will get into the swing and beauty of the season, I always feel like summer is over on this last long weekend.
August 26th – Lunch in Pelsall, followed by a run up cycle route NCN 5 through Goscote, Walsall and Delves to the Sandwell Valley, then back on the canal. Although it was mostly raining, it was a nice ride and a good opportunity to clear my head. Passing The Railway pub in Pelsall, I noticed a banner hanging on the gable end wall imploring me to ‘Come and try our new salad cart’ – whilst I support the enterprising nature of the invitation, can’t help but think it’s missing the target market. I can honestly say I’ve never felt the urge to try any salad cart, anywhere…
August 25th – in an attempt to lift the darkness, I headed over Clayhanger Common to check out the view of Shire Oak. It’s an interesting view, and demonstrates the wide range of ages and styles of house that make up this quiet, residential end of Brownhills. This view is only possible due to the mound sculpted during the reclamation of Clayhanger Tip, where I stand was one a cutting full of brackish, dirty water.
August 25th – an oddly depressing day. A quick spin out to get some shopping in took me to Brownhills. This wasteland is what used to be Silver Court Gardens – once one of the most deprived housing estates in the UK – now demolished over six years ago. Nothing has replaced the homes of the hundreds of people who lived here. Is it any wonder the town is dead? How long will Brownhills have to put up with huge tracts of desolate wasteland?
August 24th – On my way home at sundown. Walsall Road, Fallings Heath, Darlaston. Watch for the car coming out of the side road on the right. Lights on front and back didn’t stop this dozy woman in the black car from not seeing me. To compound the irritation, she smiled at me and waved me on, like I was in the wrong. They just don’t get it…
August 24th – Urban sunsets can be wonderfully dramatic. I love the outlines of buildings in silhouette, and I’ve always been fascinated by the image and concept of skylines. Taken from an unassuming railway bridge on the borderline of Butts and Reedswood, I spent ages stood like a lemon in North Street snapping the sunset as it developed, much to the bemusement of passing drivers.
August 24th – Another late night at work, but I managed to escape by sundown. Cruising back through Darlaston and Pleck, the urban landscape was bathed in pleasant light. I noticed this house on the corner of an unmade drive on the Walsall Road in Pleck. It’s a peculiarly gingerbread house for this area of largely red brick terraces and townhouses. There are quite a few old, imposing homes on their road; it must have been quite important and exclusive in it’s day.
August 23rd – The week took an unexpected turn as I found myself working late. Returning in the dark quite late at night, I decided to try some night photography. This normally comes with autumn, but I guess a little practice doesn’t hurt, and I found the activity quite relaxing after a stressful, long day at work.
August 22nd – The late summer sun was gorgeous this morning. Warming my back at 8AM on my way to work, I felt oddly alive and content for a Monday Morning. Walsall is surprisingly green, and this sunshine and shade aspect of the Lichfield Road near the Butts caught my eye. Oh, to be in England in the summertime.
August 22nd – The cereal harvest is now over, although the maize is still growing tall, and the potatoes are still maturing gently in the fields. On my way to work I headed down Green Lane, Walsall Wood and spotted this great view of the field of barley I’d photographed before. The harvest had been ongoing here for a few days, the trailers and tractors creating frequent traffic holdups. I love harvest time.
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