August 9th – Down by Goblin Woods, just off Green Lane, Walsall Wood, there’s a field of barley gently ripening in the late afternoon sun. It’s an interesting strain as it’s very short, and I think it must be being organically grown due the high quantity of weeds in the crop. Nevertheless, it looks gorgeous against the trees, and is in superb condition. Wonder if it’s being grown for brewing?
August 8th – It was a showery, unsettled afternoon as I returned through Lower Stonnall. Here at Mill Lane, the summer is advancing, and Autumn, sadly, didn’t seem too far away. There are already leaves littering the verges, and the harvest, here slightly behind, has paused while the wheat dries out again. Please come back summer – we haven’t got to know each other properly yet…
August 8th – This annoys the hell out of me. Well-to-do house in Little Aston Lane, Little Aston. One presumes that the owners have left two old video recorders on the pavement for the tatters and scrap men to collect. Lots of people do this – I often see washing machines, fridges and household items left out in this way. After all, they take your rubbish, and make a few bob… What could possibly be wrong with that?
Most scrapyards pay less for contaminated metal loads – those containing plastic and other material – or will not accept them at all. Thus, the plastic parts of these devices will be smashed off. The metal will indeed end up in some tat yard, but the plastic? Look in lay-bys, wastelands and other spots for the flytipped remains of consumer whitegoods and junk like this.
By leaving stuff out, people are contributing to the flytipping and metal theft plague we’re currently enduring. Tatters are competing for junk to the extent that I’ve seen them pulling metalwork out of the canal, so will take anything. Leaving stuff for them just encourages more of their nuisance. It’s also illegal to give waste to a non-licensed carrier – if this stuff is traced back, you can be prosecuted as well as the carrier.
All because the owner couldn’t be arsed to use the local refuse facility.
August 7th – The nights are drawing in and it was already dusk when I returned from a event in Burntwood at 9:05pm. The lights on the M6 toll at Ogley Hay Road made for an impressive scene of hard surfaces and speed.
August 7th – The renovation of the Hussey Arms continues apace, and the results so far are looking really, really good. After being empty and boarded up for a long time, Greene King are turning this nice-looking building into a family pub under their ‘Hungry Horse’ brand. Intrigued to note they still haven’t sorted that wonky chimney yet…
August 6th – Heading into Brownhills past Oak Park the temptation to take another photo overcame me. It seemed odd taking pictures at this time of the morning, and I felt nervous and expected to be challenged. I wasn’t, but I don’t think I’ll ever feel comfortable taking pictures in public. At 1am that translates into abject fear.
August 6th – an afternoon visit to a good friend in Walsall turned into an early hours night ride home. It seems ages since I last did this. Flowing liquid through the streets at 1am was a delight and very, very exhilerating. Walsall Wood was eerily quiet, with only the waiting taxis showing any sign of life. I love this time of day. Must do it more often.
August 5th – Ragwort, the bright yellow heathland plant that’s turning every bit of wasteland and field yellow at the moment seems to be having a ver good year. Hear at Engine Lane, the fields are full of the stuff. This must be of some concern to the people who keep horses here, as it’s dangerous to equines. The colour of the bloom, however, is a joy to behold. It’s always a good year for something.
August 5th – The Swan still remains closed, in apparent contradiction to the desire of prospective purchasers to reopen this lost community local. One of several closed pubs in Brownhills, it lies dormant, a symptom of a trade and tradition sadly in decline.
Find out about the unfortunate fate of another lost local on my main blog.
August 4th – Cresting Greenhill in Lichfield, heading down the Birmingham Road on my way home, traffic was very heavy. I love riding the traffic in Lichfield – challenging, exhilarating and smugness-inducing. A fine ride.
Sadly, I had a better audio track for this ride, but yootoob’s audio fingerprint thing spots it and removes it, which is a great shame. That technology is bloody impressive, though…
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